David Lammy gives major speech on climate change: comment

“This is an important step from the government, appointing respected, committed experts to go out into the world to drive urgent and much-needed progress on climate action globally. The UK has shown this leadership in the past, such as being the first nation to pledge to phase out coal power. With just weeks to go to the COP29 climate summit and with little sign of nations delivering last year’s pledge to phase down fossil fuels, and miles to go on agreement over raising wealthy countries’ commitment to climate finance for the poorest, this leadership is urgently needed.

“UK investments in clean power help bring down costs for poorer nations to deploy the same technologies to cut their own emissions. And climate finance investment supports that, as well as helping countries to adapt to dangerous climate impacts. The British public get this - they voted for it at the election; two thirds say they want the UK to lead, and climate is a top five issue. We import two fifths of the food we consume and right now, and climate impacts all over the world are harming harvests, causing shortages and driving up prices. [2] This is compounded by the wettest winter on record hitting our crops at home too. [3] This is a global challenge that requires global commitment and ambition to protect lives, livelihoods, and food security.”