Boris Johnson referred to himself as “the spirit of Glasgow COP26” as he asked for the legacy of the climate summit held in the United Kingdom last year to be “carried forward” as a “global effort.”
In his maiden appearance at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt, Boris Johnson criticized “net zero skeptics” who want to “frack the hell out of the British countryside.”
At an event hosted by The New York Times on the opening day of the Sharm el-Sheikh meeting, the former prime minister stated that the fight against climate change had become a “collateral victim” of the Ukraine conflict, causing “skeptics to adopt a corrosive pessimism about net zero.”
In a jab at other Conservatives, notably his successor Liz Truss, who had planned to relax the prohibition on fracking in England, Mr. Johnson stated that despite the continued energy crisis, it is “not the time to ban the campaign for net zero.
Returning to the world scene, he also cautioned that nations “should not return to an addiction or dependence on hydrocarbons” if they wish to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, adding, “The solution is to move forward with a green approach.
Mr. Johnson stated that nations must unite to “face this nonsense front on.
This is not the time to yield to Putin’s energy extortion, the former prime minister urged the crowd.
“Certainly, of course, we must use hydrocarbons throughout the transitional era, and yes, the United Kingdom can do more with its local resources.
“However, this is not the time to abandon the net-zero campaign, nor is it the time to forsake renewable technologies.”
Mr. Johnson also appeared to oppose calls for climate reparations, sometimes known as “loss and damage” payments, which is a policy that is largely anticipated to dominate discussions in Egypt.
“Let’s look to the future; to encourage private sector involvement, I’d rather examine what we can do right now to assist developing nations,” he remarked.
“I am a footsoldier here”
The former prime minister described himself as “the spirit of Glasgow COP26” and called for the legacy of the UK-hosted climate summit last year to be “carried forward” as a “global effort.”
“Glasgow was a pivotal moment, and I want to see that legacy continue,” he added. “It’s imperative that the steering wheel be tugged back a bit in the direction of combating climate change and implementing clean, green solutions to attain net zero.”
“We must reject defeatism, end Putin’s energy blackmail, and continue our battle to remove global dependence on hydrocarbons to preserve 1.5C.”
When asked why he announced his attendance at COP27 before Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Mr. Johnson responded, “I am here as a Conservative footsoldier and spear-carrier… I am here in a completely supportive capacity and to remind people of the excellent work we accomplished in Glasgow.”
Mr. Sunak reversed his intention to miss COP27 last week in response to criticism from environmental activists and lawmakers.
“Glad PM is present”
Having initially stated that he would not attend owing to “other important domestic duties” back home – including preparing for the autumn statement on November 17 – Mr. Sunak reversed his stance on Thursday, stating that “there is no long-term prosperity without action on climate change.”
When asked if he was disturbed by Mr. Sunak’s refusal to attend the climate summit, Mr. Johnson responded, “Look, the prime minister is here, and I am delighted he is. The other day, he delivered an incredible speech, and I believe he is on the right track.”
Mr. Johnson noted that he supports the government’s efforts in the United Kingdom to assist those with rising bills.
“Of course, in the short term, you must reduce the expense and the impact on those who are feeling it,” he said. “This is why I appreciate what the government and Rishi are doing to help people through difficult times.”
‘People are struggling’
However, he stressed that it is not the time for individuals to “become weak and shaky on net zero.”
“People are struggling, people are suffering, and they can feel the effects of the increase in energy prices. Mr. Johnson stated that the solution is not to increase our consumption of hydrocarbons but to hasten the adoption of green technologies.
Ahead of this week’s midterm elections in the United States, Mr. Johnson stated that “it is vitally crucial for the rest of the world that the United States maintains its climate change commitments.”
In the meantime, citing examples of recent extreme weather from around the world, the former prime minister said that the “unexpected political turbulence” that led to his ouster from Number 10 may have been affected by the UK’s high temperatures in July.
Temperatures in London approached 40 degrees, which is exceptional and intolerable, and may have contributed, who knows, to the unanticipated political turbulence we witnessed at Westminster at the time,” he remarked.
In Egypt, world leaders are participating in the most recent United Nations climate negotiations amid concerns about who would pay for the damages caused by global warming.
The vice president of the United States and the president of France are among those present.
The climate summit will conclude on November 18th.
