Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer MP urged world leaders to attend COP29 next week to underline its critical importance:
“COP29 has set itself the goal of “deep, rapid and sustained emission reductions now to keep temperatures under control and stay below 1.5˚C, while leaving no one behind’.
“But it won’t achieve that without the international leadership needed from Heads of State, Presidents and Prime Ministers.
“I welcome the fact that Sir Keir Starmer will attend. The UK has the opportunity and responsibility as the first industrial nation on Earth to provide the leadership for a just transition.
“We need the Prime Minister to show leadership on the world stage, by ensuring COP29 commits to:
- Urgently transition away from fossil fuels
- Provide the equitable and just finance promised for adaptation and mitigation, and to fund the loss and damage many are already experiencing as a result of climate impacts
“Unfinanced is unprepared and we are both.
“Of course, these are incredibly difficult times internationally, with the European Union stalling on its actions and President-elect Trump, a climate crisis denier, once again stalking the world stage.
“But that is why it is so important that the UK steps forward to remind the world what is at stake if co-ordinated international action does not take place now.
“New scientific evidence shows global average temperatures are on track this year to end up more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, making 2024 the first calendar year to breach this crucial target. (1)l
“We need international leadership now more than ever to tackle the climate crisis. We are getting leadership from the scientists, but too many of the world’s political leaders are ducking their responsibility.”
Among national leaders not attending the UN conference in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11- 22 November are those from the US, China, France, Brazil, South Africa, Japan and Australia, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
NOTES TO EDITORS