UK Foreign Policy to Prioritize Climate Action, David Lammy Declares: A Shift Towards Global Leadership Amid Fiscal Challenges

David Lammy asserts that climate policy will be a key focus in all foreign relations

Activists applaud the UK's renewed global commitment to climate issues, yet emphasize that promises need to be supported by funding and concrete measures.

Climate correspondent @SeabrookClimate

Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 2:

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David Lammy has declared that climate action will be a core element of every aspect of foreign policy as the new administration aims to reshape the UK's global reputation.

In his inaugural key address as foreign secretary, he tackled the intertwined issues of climate change, environmental degradation, and their connections to global politics, conflict, and security.

"Mr. Lammy stated that tackling the climate and environmental crisis will be a core focus of everything the Foreign Office undertakes."

"This is essential, considering both the magnitude of the danger and the potential benefits involved."

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The latest Labour administration is working to revitalize the UK's energy strategy and restore its status as a leading force in global climate efforts—a distinction that was highlighted during the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow but subsequently diminished under the leadership of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The central element of its energy strategy is to achieve a fully clean electricity grid, transitioning from coal and gas to renewable sources and nuclear power by the year 2030.

The goal is not significantly dissimilar from the Conservatives' 2035 target, though it aims to achieve it five years earlier.

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The administration is aiming to leverage this goal to encourage other nations to accelerate their decarbonization efforts.

The Foreign Office announced the creation of a new "Global Clean Power Alliance" aimed at boosting financial support to help other nations bypass fossil fuels and adopt clean energy solutions.

Yet, the coalition currently lacks new financial support and additional partners, though the Foreign Office views it primarily as a diplomatic tool to strengthen relationships with other nations on environmental issues.

The administration has committed to allocating £11.6 billion from 2021-22 to 2025-26 to assist developing nations in adapting to and addressing climate change, and Mr. Lammy stated that this "continues to be our goal as we proceed with the spending review."

When Sky's science and technology editor, Tom Clarke, questioned how he planned to achieve these objectives given the limited funds available, particularly in light of the supposed £22 billion financial deficit left by the previous administration, the foreign secretary responded that it was a valid point to discuss the financial aspect.

"He emphasized the necessity for him and his colleagues in the government to keep advocating their position, particularly as the government and [Chancellor] Rachel Reeves face challenging decisions regarding priorities in a stringent economic climate."

"However, it's crucial to acknowledge that this agenda is essential for the growth of the UK, and thus, we must maintain our optimism."

Global climate advocate Harjeet Singh, from the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, stated that the creation of a coalition "clearly indicates that issues of climate and the natural environment have regained prominence on [the UK's] agenda."

He emphasized that genuine leadership extends past mere rhetoric and declarations, urging for tangible measures, financial support, and technological assistance to aid developing countries in eliminating fossil fuels and addressing the effects of climate change.

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According to a report co-authored by British economist Lord Nicholas Stern, an annual investment of approximately £2 trillion will be required by 2030 to enable developing countries to implement necessary transformations.

The economic struggles faced by developing countries are not solely due to their smaller economic scale, but also stem from their high levels of debt, the costs of climate change effects they largely did not instigate, and the higher borrowing costs they incur.

Debate is escalating regarding the financial responsibility for climate change mitigation in nations that have historically contributed minimally to global warming yet face significant impacts, as per findings from the think tank IIED.

Wealthy nations that produce large amounts of pollution have pledged to contribute $100 billion annually to assist developing countries with climate-related initiatives, a promise set to conclude in 2025.

The upcoming financial allocation is set to be finalized at the COP29 United Nations climate conference in Azerbaijan this November, although initial discussions have been mired in controversy.

Countries have failed to reach a consensus on who should contribute funds and who should benefit, or on the total amount to be contributed each year.

Mr. Lammy plans to restore the UK climate envoy position, previously eliminated by Mr. Sunak, and will establish a new nature envoy role.

He also suggested that the government intends to restore the contentious Conservative reduction in the UK's foreign aid budget, which had been reduced from 0.7% of GDP to 0.5%.

He could face challenges in presenting his arguments to the chancellor and prime minister before the budget announcement on October 30th, which the prime minister has already indicated will involve difficult measures.

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