Last week, Downing Street announced that the Prime Minister will not be attending the Sharm el Sheikh conference next month due to “other pressing domestic commitments, including preparations for the autumn budget.”
Downing Street has confirmed that Rishi Sunak’s attendance at COP27 is “under review,” as the Prime Minister faces rising requests to attend the climate conference in Egypt.
When asked if the prime minister will attend the summit, a representative for Number 10 stated, “any presence at COP would depend on the completion of preparations for that budgetary event, which are underway.”
Last week, Downing Street announced that the Prime Minister will not be attending the Sharm el Sheikh conference next month due to “other pressing domestic commitments, including preparations for the autumn budget.”
The spokeswoman continued, “The prime minister is fully aware of the significance of the COP conference and is dedicated to combating climate change.”
Asked if this decision may change, the spokesperson elaborated, “I believe the prime minister indicated that the public would want him to prioritize domestic concerns, including restoring fiscal confidence and producing a budget that works for the British people.
“Substantial progress is being made on this front, therefore we are keeping our stance on the COP under review.”
Mr. Sunak made this point to broadcasters during a visit to Croydon University Hospital on Friday, arguing that he must focus on “depressing home difficulties” instead of attending the climate conference in Egypt.
However, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused Mr. Sunak of a “leadership failure.”
Working with world leaders is a chance that Britain should seize. Not something to avoid,” he wrote on social media.
Rebecca Newsom, Greenpeace UK’s head of politics, accused Mr. Sunak of not taking climate change “seriously” enough.
While Alok Sharma, the president of last year’s summit, argued over the weekend that the Prime Minister risked damaging Britain’s status as a global leader on green issues if he skips the conference.
“I am rather dismayed that the prime minister would not be attending. The government’s climate tsar stated to The Sunday Times, “I appreciate that he has a tremendous amount of domestic concerns to address.”
“However, I would argue that attending COP27 would facilitate engagement with other world leaders. If the prime minister were to go, I believe it would send a signal about our renewed commitment to this subject.”
Mr. Sharma, who lost his cabinet position in the most recent reshuffle, will also be present, with US president Joe Biden and US special envoy for climate change John Kerry.
A Scottish government official confirmed last week that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon plans to attend COP27.
Given the critical necessity of states working together to combat climate change, the prime minister plans to attend COP27, according to a statement released on Friday.
“Ministerial program details are currently being finalized”
Liz Truss, the predecessor of Mr. Sunak, was scheduled to attend the summit from November 6 to November 18.
On November 17, the new chancellor Jeremy Hunt will give the autumn budget, in which he will outline the government’s tax and spending objectives.
According to reports, former prime minister Boris Johnson plans to attend the conference to demonstrate his support for international efforts to combat climate change.
Environment Secretary Therese Coffey supported Mr. Sunak’s decision not to attend COP27 last week, stating that protecting the earth was “certainly a government priority.”
While former business secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg argued that the Prime Minister was correct not to attend the summit, stating, “The expense of living will not be resolved in Sharm el Sheikh, where each hotel room for the conference costs £2,000 per night.
Indicating a possible U-turn, environment minister Mark Spencer told that Mr. Sunak would attend COP27 “if he gets the time,” adding that the prime minister has “a full inbox.”
Meanwhile, it was reported on Sunday that King Charles will hold a reception for key COP27 figures on Friday at Buckingham Palace, despite not attending the conference.
The event will bring together over 200 international business leaders, decision-makers, and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to mark the end of the United Kingdom’s presidency of COP26 and to look ahead to the COP27 summit in Egypt. The King, who has been a passionate environmentalist, will host the event.
The King has attended the UN climate conference for several years and delivered one of the main addresses during COP26’s opening ceremony in Glasgow; however, he will not be attending the meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Mr. Sunak is set to deliver a brief address at the Buckingham Palace reception hosted by the King.
