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Rishi Sunak will not go to COP27 climate summit, says No 10 Rishi Sunak will not go to COP27 climate summit next month
(31 minutes later)
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will not attend the COP27 climate conference in Egypt next month, No 10 says.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will not attend the COP27 climate conference in Egypt next month, No 10 says.
Downing Street denied this represented a lack of commitment to tackling climate change from the prime minister.Downing Street denied this represented a lack of commitment to tackling climate change from the prime minister.
Mr Sunak's predecessor Liz Truss had been due to attend the conference.Mr Sunak's predecessor Liz Truss had been due to attend the conference.
However, No 10 said the new PM would not be going "due to other pressing domestic commitments including preparations for the Autumn Budget".However, No 10 said the new PM would not be going "due to other pressing domestic commitments including preparations for the Autumn Budget".
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "We remain committed to net zero and to leading international and domestic action to tackle climate change. The UK is forging ahead of many other countries on net zero.A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "We remain committed to net zero and to leading international and domestic action to tackle climate change. The UK is forging ahead of many other countries on net zero.
"We will obviously continue to work closely with Egypt as the hosts of COP27 and to make sure that all countries are making progress on the historic commitments they made at the Glasgow climate pact.""We will obviously continue to work closely with Egypt as the hosts of COP27 and to make sure that all countries are making progress on the historic commitments they made at the Glasgow climate pact."
She added the UK would be "fully represented by other senior ministers", including current COP president Alok Sharma.She added the UK would be "fully represented by other senior ministers", including current COP president Alok Sharma.
The big issues facing Egypt's COP27 climate summitThe big issues facing Egypt's COP27 climate summit
UN warns key climate threshold slipping from sightUN warns key climate threshold slipping from sight
UK tax and spending plan pushed back by two weeksUK tax and spending plan pushed back by two weeks
COP27 will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh from 6 to 18 November - finishing the day after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is due to set out the UK's tax and spending plans.COP27 will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh from 6 to 18 November - finishing the day after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is due to set out the UK's tax and spending plans.
The annual UN climate summits are designed to help governments agree steps to limit global temperature rises. The UK hosted COP26 in Glasgow in 2021.The annual UN climate summits are designed to help governments agree steps to limit global temperature rises. The UK hosted COP26 in Glasgow in 2021.
The news that Mr Sunak will not be attending comes as a UN report warns there is "no credible pathway" to keep the rise in global temperatures below the key threshold of 1.5C. The news that Mr Sunak will not be attending comes as a UN report warns there is "no credible pathway" to keep the rise in global temperatures below a key threshold of 1.5C.
Scientists believe that going beyond 1.5C would see dangerous impacts for people all over the world.Scientists believe that going beyond 1.5C would see dangerous impacts for people all over the world.
The UN's emissions gap study also said that governments' carbon-cutting plans since last year's climate summit had been "woefully inadequate".The UN's emissions gap study also said that governments' carbon-cutting plans since last year's climate summit had been "woefully inadequate".
Last month, under the Truss premiership, the government announced a review of the UK's target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The summit in Egypt is expected to focus on three main areas - reducing emissions, helping countries prepare for and deal with climate change, and securing technical support for developing countries for these activities.
On Wednesday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told the BBC that he would like to see both the PM and King Charles in attendance. Now it looks like neither will be there.
Given that the UK government was not just the host of COP26 but the main driving force behind its limited successes, it is unusual that it will not have a major political figure in attendance.
While Alok Sharma will be there as the outgoing COP president, he is not of the same rank as a prime minister or monarch.
The Egyptian organisers will likely be furious at this turn of events - and it will not augur well for the conference if the leaders of one of the world's leading lights in taking action on climate can't prioritise travelling to the gathering.
Last month, under the Truss premiership, the government announced a review of the UK's target to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Former Energy Minister Chris Skidmore was tasked with leading the review "with a focus on ensuring the UK's fight against climate change maximises economic growth, while increasing energy security and affordability for consumers and businesses".Former Energy Minister Chris Skidmore was tasked with leading the review "with a focus on ensuring the UK's fight against climate change maximises economic growth, while increasing energy security and affordability for consumers and businesses".
The previous COP summit, held in Glasgow, was attended by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as well as Mr Sunak who was then chancellor.The previous COP summit, held in Glasgow, was attended by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as well as Mr Sunak who was then chancellor.
More than 200 governments have been invited to COP27. However, some leaders of major economies are not expected to attend, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.More than 200 governments have been invited to COP27. However, some leaders of major economies are not expected to attend, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
US President Joe Biden is planning to go, but China has not yet confirmed if its leaders will participate.US President Joe Biden is planning to go, but China has not yet confirmed if its leaders will participate.
The summit is expected to focus on three main areas - reducing emissions, helping countries prepare for and deal with climate change, and securing technical support for developing countries for these activities. Earlier this month, Buckingham Palace confirmed King Charles would not be attending the conference.
The monarch has a long-standing interest in environmental issues, but the Palace said it had sought advice from then-PM Ms Truss and that "with mutual friendship and respect there was agreement that the King would not attend."