Burnham Tells COP31 the Climate Crisis Is Already Here
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham told COP31 that the climate crisis is already under way and announced the appointment of the country’s first climate security adviser, following earlier warnings from Ed Miliband about the threat climate change poses to national security. Burnham is also due to meet Brazil’s President Lula before leaving the summit for a conference on artificial intelligence in Dublin. Green party leader Zack Polanski criticised the speech as “bizarre” and said he was “not at all reassured”, arguing that climate action should be judged by government decisions rather than words. The criticism referred to the recent decision by energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh to weaken climate commitments.
Away from the leaders’ appearances, negotiators are working through the detailed texts that form the main outcome of the conference. Although COP31’s agenda was agreed quickly, countries have not settled whether the meeting will adopt a formal “cover decision” bringing together issues discussed across different negotiating tracks. Such decisions can include symbolic language, but they can also contain major commitments: the COP26 cover decision called for a “phase down” of coal, while COP28’s included the pledge to “transition away from fossil fuels”.
Australia has kept open the possibility of a cover decision, but the Arab Group, Russia and the Like-Minded Developing Countries appear opposed. Possible content includes a goal of obtaining 35% of final energy from electricity by 2035, recognition of Brazil’s fossil-fuel transition roadmap, discussion of exceeding the 1.5C temperature limit, the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and adaptation finance for poorer countries.
Continue in the app — vote & join in ➔