Rishi Sunak’s COP28 speeches feel like an old hit we’ve heard one too many times – Greenpeace comment

Responding to Rishi Sunak’s speeches at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai today, Greenpeace UK’s Head of Politics Rebecca Newsom said:

“Like yesterday’s chart-topper clinging to past glories, Rishi Sunak’s claims about Britain’s climate leadership feel like an old hit we’ve heard one too many times. He masquerades like a headliner while reprising a sorry medley of Net Zero policy roll-backs while keeping silent on the biggest issue that will make a difference to cutting emissions at this conference: a global phase-out of fossil fuels.

“Compared with the hundreds of billions needed to support the poorest countries, the £1.6bn announced today barely touches the sides and it’s clear that only around half of it is new money. While the funding allocated for clean energy systems in developing countries could be useful, the Prime Minister’s emphasis on carbon markets risks fuelling the climate emergency through offsetting. Instead of using distraction tactics, he should introduce new taxes on fossil fuel companies to provide billions more in public finance for climate-vulnerable communities in the Global South.

“The UK’s silence on cutting fossil fuels stands in stark contrast not only with the most progressive governments but also the COP28 Presidency and the International Energy Agency, who have started to become more vocal on this issue. Instead of rattling out a dodgy back catalogue of catch-phrases and recycled funding pledges, we desperately need him to show real leadership at this conference by producing some new material.”

Ends

Download a high-resolution video of Rebecca’s comment here

For more information or to arrange an interview with a Greenpeace spokesperson in Dubai, contact:

• Kai Tabacek: kai.tabacek@greenpeace.org / +44 7970 030019
• Out of hours: press.uk@greenpeace.org / +44 20 7865 8255

Notes to editors:

The most recent statement from 26 world leaders in the High Ambition Coalition calls unambiguously for a “global phase out of fossil fuels”

In their summary of High-Level Dialogues leading up to these talks, COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber and Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, said that “fossil fuel demand and supply must phase-down this decade to keep 1.5°C within reach”.