In early November, the UK and Italy will host the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties in Glasgow—the fifth since COP21, where nearly every nation on earth pledged to work towards keeping the global temperature rise well below 2C (but ideally below 1.5C) and to ratchet up their contributions every five years.
So what can we achieve in November? Philip Dunne, who chairs the environmental audit committee, writes that the UK has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to show climate leadership as host. But the government’s own actions must show its commitment is genuine. Shadow international trade secretary Emily Thornberry writes that our recent trade deals—including with Australia, where our references to climate targets were quietly dropped—show a missed opportunity to demonstrate our seriousness. Our domestic policies may also damage our credentials on the international stage. Green MP and former party leader Caroline Lucas accuses the government of “climate hypocrisy” for allowing continued oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. As David King, former chief scientific adviser explains, when he negotiated at previous COPs, being able to demonstrate Britain’s own climate record was vital in getting other countries to increase their efforts.
Boris Johnson struck a sombre note in September, warning that countries must agree to make “substantial changes” to avoid further temperature rises. Let’s hope he can make that happen in Glasgow.
