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Rishi Sunak is now going to COP27 climate summit Rishi Sunak is now going to COP27 climate summit
(about 1 hour later)
The prime minister has reversed an earlier decision not to go to the COP27 climate summit in Egypt.The prime minister has reversed an earlier decision not to go to the COP27 climate summit in Egypt.
No 10 had said Rishi Sunak was too busy preparing for the 17 November budget to attend the event which opens on Sunday.No 10 had said Rishi Sunak was too busy preparing for the 17 November budget to attend the event which opens on Sunday.
But this had been widely criticised by climate campaigners, opposition parties and climate adviser Alok Sharma.But this had been widely criticised by climate campaigners, opposition parties and climate adviser Alok Sharma.
Mr Sunak tweeted that there would be "no long-term prosperity without action on climate change" or energy security without investing in renewables. Mr Sunak said there was "no long-term prosperity without action on climate change" or energy security without investment in renewables.
"That is why I will attend @COP27P next week: to deliver on Glasgow's legacy of building a secure and sustainable future." "That's why I will attend COP27 next week - to deliver on Glasgow's legacy of building a secure, clean and sustainable future," he told MPs during Prime Minister's Questions.
On Tuesday, former prime minister Boris Johnson said he would attend COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh.On Tuesday, former prime minister Boris Johnson said he would attend COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh.
Follow live: Prime Minister's QuestionsFollow live: Prime Minister's Questions
Boris Johnson confirms he is attending COP27Boris Johnson confirms he is attending COP27
The big issues facing Egypt's COP27 climate summitThe big issues facing Egypt's COP27 climate summit
Is the UK on track to meet its climate targets?Is the UK on track to meet its climate targets?
The UK hosted last year's COP (Conference Of The Parties) in Glasgow and it was chaired by Mr Sharma.The UK hosted last year's COP (Conference Of The Parties) in Glasgow and it was chaired by Mr Sharma.
Green MP Caroline Lucas welcomed what she called a "screeching U-turn" after "an embarrassing mis-step on the world stage".Green MP Caroline Lucas welcomed what she called a "screeching U-turn" after "an embarrassing mis-step on the world stage".
"Let this be a lesson to him - climate leadership matters," she added."Let this be a lesson to him - climate leadership matters," she added.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of acting "in the name of political management" rather than the national interest.Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of acting "in the name of political management" rather than the national interest.
"Caving in to criticism is not leadership. Real leadership is seizing your seat at the table. For UK jobs. For clean energy. For our environment," he tweeted."Caving in to criticism is not leadership. Real leadership is seizing your seat at the table. For UK jobs. For clean energy. For our environment," he tweeted.
Liberal Democrat climate change spokesperson Wera Hobhouse said: "This whole debacle has shown the environment is simply not a priority for Rishi Sunak. He's only going after being embarrassed by Boris Johnson's attendance."Liberal Democrat climate change spokesperson Wera Hobhouse said: "This whole debacle has shown the environment is simply not a priority for Rishi Sunak. He's only going after being embarrassed by Boris Johnson's attendance."
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly defended the prime minister's approach, saying he had always recognised COP27 was an "incredibly important event".
Mr Cleverly said Mr Sunak had wanted to make sure the economic situation was in hand, and had now reassured himself that was the case - freeing him up to travel to Egypt.
Alok Sharma chaired the COP26 climate summit in GlasgowAlok Sharma chaired the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow
Mr Sharma, who had said he was "disappointed" Mr Sunak would not be attending, tweeted that he was "delighted" the prime minister would now be going.Mr Sharma, who had said he was "disappointed" Mr Sunak would not be attending, tweeted that he was "delighted" the prime minister would now be going.
Many world leaders including US President Joe Biden and France's Emmanuel Macron are due to attend the UN event.Many world leaders including US President Joe Biden and France's Emmanuel Macron are due to attend the UN event.
Mr Sunak's predecessor Liz Truss had been set to go and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will also be there.Mr Sunak's predecessor Liz Truss had been set to go and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will also be there.
A number of countries had also criticised Mr Sunak's earlier decision not to go and questioned the UK's commitment to tackle the climate crisis.
The Egyptian government, which is hosting COP27, voiced its "disappointment". Carlos Fuller, Belize's ambassador to the UN, told The Guardian it looked as if the UK was "washing their hands of leadership".
Mohammed Nasheed, speaker of the Maldives parliament and a former president, said nothing was more serious than climate change.
Let's be clear, Rishi Sunak attending the UN climate conference in Egypt isn't likely to significantly change its outcome.Let's be clear, Rishi Sunak attending the UN climate conference in Egypt isn't likely to significantly change its outcome.
The actual negotiations are done by the army of diplomats and civil servants who are already flying into the Egyptian holiday resort where the talks will take place.The actual negotiations are done by the army of diplomats and civil servants who are already flying into the Egyptian holiday resort where the talks will take place.
But the signal that the UK prime minister acknowledges the importance of the conference - albeit belatedly - will be welcome.But the signal that the UK prime minister acknowledges the importance of the conference - albeit belatedly - will be welcome.
Leaders have an important role to play, UN chief Antonio Guterres told me when we spoke last week.Leaders have an important role to play, UN chief Antonio Guterres told me when we spoke last week.
He says they help "galvanise" the talks, creating the momentum for more ambitious agreements to be reached.He says they help "galvanise" the talks, creating the momentum for more ambitious agreements to be reached.
Mr Sunak also has a prominent ceremonial role. The UK hosted the last UN climate summit in Glasgow. and he will formally hand over responsibility for the process to the Egyptian government.Mr Sunak also has a prominent ceremonial role. The UK hosted the last UN climate summit in Glasgow. and he will formally hand over responsibility for the process to the Egyptian government.
King Charles - a long-time champion of environmental causes - will not be going, despite speaking at COP26 in Glasgow.King Charles - a long-time champion of environmental causes - will not be going, despite speaking at COP26 in Glasgow.
Downing Street said Liz Truss's government had agreed with Buckingham Palace that it was not the "right occasion" for the King to attend - and this advice had not changed.Downing Street said Liz Truss's government had agreed with Buckingham Palace that it was not the "right occasion" for the King to attend - and this advice had not changed.
The annual climate summits are designed to help governments agree measures to limit rises in global temperatures.The annual climate summits are designed to help governments agree measures to limit rises in global temperatures.
This year's conference takes place from 6 to 18 November, finishing the day after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is due to set out the government's tax and spending plans.This year's conference takes place from 6 to 18 November, finishing the day after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is due to set out the government's tax and spending plans.
On Tuesday, Mr Sunak's official spokesman said "significant progress" was being made on the autumn statement.On Tuesday, Mr Sunak's official spokesman said "significant progress" was being made on the autumn statement.