As Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Renewable and Sustainable Energy (PRASEG), it was a real privilege to attend the United Nations COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow this week. I had a busy few days talking to UK and international representatives as negotiators in at the summit worked tirelessly to break through the impasse on topics ranging from plastics and hydrocarbon fuels, to deforestation and finance for building resilience in the world’s most adversely effected populations.
Chairing an official COP26 Panel about strengthening Parliamentary consensus
I chaired the Strengthening Parliamentary Consensus For Global Change panel on Friday. This panel of cross-party parliamentarians was a productive and constructive exploration of ways to build consensus in parliaments on climate policy. We had a cross-APPG panel of Anthony Browne MP, Sir Edward Davey MP, Alex Sobel MP, Anna McMorrin MP, Philip Dunne MP and Baroness Hayman.
Hosting a PRASEG cross-party roundtable for senior politicians and thought-leaders
It was a pleasure to join the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation to host senior politicians including the Chair of the Select Committee for BEIS, the Shadow Secretary of State for BEIS, the PPS to the COP26 President and leading authorities on climate change and geopolitics from Chatham House and the Climate Change Committee. We discussed the UK’s role in scaling global renewable energy and the challenges of encouraging a swift and just energy transition.
Meeting with Secretary of State for Education for a briefing on COP26 negotiations on Youth Engagement Day
As the programme on Youth Engagement kicked off, the UK’s Secretary of State for Education gave a briefing to MPs. This UN COP was the first to open up the official delegate zone to wider officials, including Parliamentarians. It was a hugely informative meeting, and offered insights into the challenges faced at the negation table.
Participating in a discussion on the Climate Investment Fund
On Thursday I spent time in a room with diplomatic UN representatives from around the world, and some of the leaders in national climate policy including the US Energy Secretary, Energy Minister for Indonesia and the Head of the European Climate Foundation, Dr Laurance Tubiana, to discuss the Climate Investment Fund and commitments to clean energy transition. COP26 is making good progress on transforming energy sectors and the UK has a key role in supporting the global transition to renewable and clean energy.
Discussing the role of Parliaments in Climate and Nature Policy with WWF
I met with fantastic, dedicated officials at WWF-UK to discuss of the role of Parliament in shaping climate policy and environmental commitments. We discussed the announcements that had already taken place, the stumbling blocks to rapid expansion for nature-based solutions and the expanding role of the WWF to mobilise climate finance for high-impact ecological projects. I am strongly committed to protecting nature and biodiversity and it was good to discuss this epic and crucial challenges in wildlife and habitat conversation.
Meeting with the National Grid
On Thursday, I sat down with representatives from the National Grid at the Confederation of British Industry’s COP26 reception. This was a good chance to meet their CEO and discuss the UK Energy Market’s transition to Net Zero.
Speaking on a Tesla roundtable
On Saturday joined other MPs from across the house to meet with Tesla’s senior representatives at their site in Glasgow. Electric vehicles are essential for the decarbonisation of our private, public and fleet transportation. We discussed the UK’s charging infrastructure and regulation requirements needed as the ban of new diesel and petrol car sales approaches. I am a strong supporter of the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure locally, and this was a good opportunity to understand how we can make significant progress to make EVs widely affordable, attractive and available.
Joining HSBC to discuss the role of small businesses in Net Zero
I attended a roundtable with some former colleagues hosted by HSBC as delegates from across industry and policy contributed to a discussion about small businesses and Net Zero. I was pleased to be able to share my thoughts on the role of small businesses, and how banks and policymakers can help to incentivise, finance and support the Net Zero journey of the UK’s independent and small businesses.