UK PM Burnham: Climate Consensus 'Gone' But Pledges 'New Era of Leadership'

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, addressing delegates at the COP31 UN climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, stated that the global consensus on both science and climate change has "gone." Despite this, he affirmed that the UK is prepared to initiate a "new era of British leadership" on the climate change issue.

Burnham highlighted the record heat experienced in the UK this past summer, noting it was made 130 times more likely due to climate change. This extreme weather led to the closure of hundreds of schools, an 11% drop in cereal harvests, and ambulance services being overwhelmed beyond levels seen during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Highlights

• Prime Minister Andy Burnham declared that the global consensus on climate change has "gone."
• He pledged a "new era of British leadership" on climate change.
• Burnham announced the creation of the world's first climate security envoy, Dame Madeleine Alessandri, recognizing climate change as a security threat.
• The UK government remains committed to its net-zero target by 2050, despite critics pointing to policies that may undermine this goal.
• Turkey, as co-host of COP31, aims for a commitment from countries to meet 35% of their energy supply from electricity by 2035.

Details

Due to the threats climate change poses to public health and homes, Burnham announced the appointment of Dame Madeleine Alessandri, former head of the Joint Intelligence Committee, as the UK and the world's first climate security envoy. Alessandri stated that climate change and nature loss are increasingly shaping the security environment, placing additional pressure on resources, economies, and communities globally. This move is seen as a strong indicator of the UK's priorities as it assumes the G20 presidency next year.

Burnham reiterated his government's commitment to achieving the country's net-zero target by 2050 while also reducing energy bills. He emphasized that cutting "dependence on fossil fuels" and increasing electrification are key to this goal. However, environmental campaigners argue that recent government policies, such as reducing support for heat pumps and approving the Jackdaw gas field, contradict these commitments. Oxfam's climate adviser, Beth John, remarked, "The Prime Minister simply cannot call for clean power across the world while saying yes to more fossil fuels in the UK."

Why it matters

Prime Minister Burnham's declaration that the climate change consensus has ended could signal a new phase in global climate politics. With major players like the US having withdrawn from the COP process in recent years, the UK's assertion of leadership might influence the direction of international climate efforts. Furthermore, the framing of climate change as a security issue elevates its importance, potentially prompting nations to re-evaluate their strategies for combating this multifaceted threat.