Addressing world leaders at COP27 in Egypt on Monday, Mr Sunak will argue that the “shock” to global energy markets caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underlines the need to move to cheaper, cleaner and safer sources of energy. Amid domestic economic woes, the prime minister had declined an invitation to the biggest climate summit of the year. But this week, Mr Sunak made a dramatic U-turn after intense criticism that he was missing an environmental and geopolitical opportunity. In a statement before departing for Sharm El Sheikh on the Red Sea, Mr Sunak said fighting climate change was not just a “moral good” but “fundamental to our future prosperity and security”. “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its despicable manipulation of energy prices have only reinforced the importance of ending our dependence on fossil fuels,” he said. Number 10 will be hoping that the pledge to make the UK a “clean energy superpower” smoothes the way for negotiations at COP27, where nearly 200 countries must each bring something to the table in the expectation that others will do the same . Sunak “doesn’t get” judgment scale But the government is still drawing up plans to issue more than 100 new licenses to drill for oil and gas in the North Sea, launched by Boris Johnson and pushed hard by his successor, Ms Truss. It also further delayed a decision on whether to approve a new coal mine in Cumbria, which was expected on Monday but has now been postponed until COP27. “We need to go further and faster in the transition to renewable energy,” the prime minister added, although his team did not reveal details of the funding or targets that would facilitate the goal. Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Sunak “simply does not understand” the scale of the climate crisis. Writing in The Observer, Sir Keir said: “Twelve years of the Conservatives have left our energy system exposed, bills skyrocketing, while failing to tackle the climate emergency. “My Labor government will tackle the climate crisis by seizing the opportunities it presents. “We will deliver clean energy by 2030 and public utility GB Energy will reduce bills, secure our energy supply and create jobs.” “The UK’s policies don’t match the targets” Greenpeace UK said Mr Sunak’s speech may “make all the right noises” but “the hard currency of global climate diplomacy is action, not words”. “Not only are the UK’s policies completely failing to meet its climate targets, but it has also failed to pay more than $300 million promised to support developing countries to deal with the devastating effects of climate change,” said policy chief Rebecca Newsom. on Sky News. Speaking from Sharm El Sheikh, he urged the prime minister to rule out new oil and gas drilling and invest in insulating homes to reduce energy demand. Read more: Crucial climate summit hinges on this taboo subject, Adam Boulton looks ahead to whether COP27 can succeed Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:47 “Insidious divisive politics distracting from the climate” Mr. Sunak’s rhetoric marks a shift from his predecessor, who aggressively sought to boost domestic fossil fuel production during her short tenure. He overturned Ms Truss’ decision to lift the ban on fracking for shale gas. A report by leading energy NGO Global Energy Monitor has warned that granting new licenses to extract oil and gas from the North Sea is not compatible with the UK’s net-zero goal, which means reducing emissions as much as possible more and compensation of the balances. Many new projects approved this year would not begin producing for several years, sell the oil and gas on international markets and still operate into the early to mid-2050s, jeopardizing decarbonization goals as and dormant assets. Watch the Daily Climate Show at 3.30pm. Monday to Friday and The Climate Show with Tom Heap on Saturday and Sunday at 3.30pm and 7.30pm. All on Sky News, the Sky News website and app, YouTube and Twitter. The show explores how global warming is changing our landscape and highlights solutions to the crisis.
