The climate crisis is one of the defining challenges of our time, and its impacts are already being seen across the UK. Last years’ harvest was the second worst in over forty years due to heavy rainfall, costing farmers hundreds of millions of pounds, more than six million properties in England now face significant flood risk, and tragically, over 10,000 excess deaths occurred during heatwaves between 2020 and 2024.
These are not distant warnings, but present realities demanding urgent action. Every fraction of a degree we avoid makes a tangible difference to the lives of individuals, the strength of communities, and the stability of our economy.
Protecting, safeguarding and managing our forests is essential to meeting our climate, nature and development goals. The UK co-chairs the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership and remains committed to the COP26 pledge to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030 whilst supporting local livelihoods. I support the action taken by the Government to strengthen forest governance, unlock private finance, defend indigenous rights and promote sustainable land-use practices in critical regions through diplomacy.
Plastic pollution threatens ecosystems and human health, with global production set to double by 2050. The UK has endorsed the Stand Up for Ambition statement and the Nice wake-up call, which advocates for legally binding reductions in primary polymer production, phasing out harmful single-use items, and ambitious financing for circular-economy solutions. I am a proud supporter of the domestic Circular Economy Taskforce’s work on a comprehensive strategy for England. Furthermore, I welcome the Government’s decision to ban plastic-containing wet-wipes, and I support the upcoming single-use vape ban to reduce waste and to keep materials in use for longer.
Preventing human-rights abuses and environmental harm in supply chains is vital. The Government’s trade strategy review will assess our current voluntary approach, aligned with UN Guiding principles and OECD guidelines, and consider whether mandatory human-rights and environmental due diligence laws and import controls on goods made with forced labour are needed. I will continue to champion robust safeguards in Parliament, and I welcome the new Fair Work Agency’s powers to tackle modern slavery and labour exploitation at home.
Climate action at home and abroad is both a moral imperative and a strategic opportunity. Cleaner air, lower energy bills, stronger energy security, good jobs, better public health and greater access to nature all flow from a decisive transition to our climate targets. By leading the way, the UK can inspire progress globally, whilst delivering these benefits to our own citizens.
The previous administration left us off course in meeting our climate targets. We now need a credible, ambitious plan to get things back on track. I welcome the steps the Government has taken so far, and I continue to work in Parliament to ensuring a stronger climate for future generations. I have consistently supported measures to prevent climate change, backed financial incentives for low-carbon electricity generation, and voted to increase the windfall tax on oil and gas companies. And I will continue to advocate for robust climate policies in Parliament.
Additionally, I welcome the progress this Government has made on climate issues, including those as part of the mission to make Great Britain a clean energy superpower. This includes giving consent to power millions of homes, overseeing a record-breaking renewables auction, lifting a ban on offshore wind in England, planting millions of trees and taking further steps to improve the resilience of our communities to adapt to climate change.
As we look ahead to the autumn publication of the climate plan and COP30 in Brazil, I will press for clear targets, to secure investment into renewable energy and energy efficiency, and I will work to ensure the economic opportunities of our green transition are enhanced and delivered to improve our economy, our energy security and the living standards of all. By combining bold policymaking, community engagement and scientific consensus, this Government will work to limit the effects of climate change and build a sustainable, prosperous future for generations to come.