Hi John,

 

This is damning. The government’s own advisers on climate change have just warned that the UK is even less prepared for climate change than we were five years ago. And Boris Johnson is failing to deliver on his promises of action. 🤦 [1]

In short: the government talks a good talk, but when it comes to walking the walk they’re failing to act. Instead of a decade of delivery on climate action, so far we’re stuck with soundbites (along with the blatant hypocrisy of approving a new oilfield - equivalent to 16 new coal power stations - in the run-up to hosting a global climate summit!). [2]

 

In October, the UK will host United Nations climate change talks (COP26), giving us a unique responsibility at an absolutely critical time for the planet - the decisive decade for tackling climate change. But the advisers’ warning is stark: “If all we do is promise, other people will not take us seriously. It puts the whole process into jeopardy.” [3]

 

We can’t afford another round of empty promises - we need the summit to deliver global action. And there is still time to make sure it does: the report emphasises that if the UK government takes real action by the autumn, we’ll be able to influence other countries across the globe to do the same.

And this action is within our grasp. Boris Johnson has realised that climate leadership is one thing history will judge him on, and is reportedly open to taking at least some action. [4] And we know that this government has backed down before when ministers have realised a policy - like withholding free school meals - could damage their image. So if we can pile on enough pressure, there’s a real chance we could secure a change of course before the talks.

69,000 of you have already signed our petition calling on Boris to act - can you help us get it to 70,000 today? It just takes a moment, and could really help us bring about change.

 

As the Chairman of the Climate Change Committee has said, this year “the world will look for delivery, not promises.” [5] Help us get the message to Johnson: act now, before it’s too late.

 

Thank you!

 

Samantha

Greenpeace UK

 

 

Notes:

 

[1] “UK warned it is unprepared for climate chaos”, Roger Harrabin, BBC News, 17 June 2021. “UK policies will not deliver emission cuts pledge, says climate adviser”, Fiona Harvey, The Guardian, 24 June 2021.

 

[2] ‘UK prepares to approve oilfield despite Cop26 climate conference’, Oliver Wright, The Times, 23 June 2021.

 

[3] “UK policies will not deliver emission cuts pledge, says climate adviser”, Fiona Harvey, The Guardian, 24 June 2021.

 

[4] The Sunday Times has reported that Johnson “understands now climate is an issue leaders will be judged on”, although currently “Rishi [Sunak] seems to be putting the brakes on almost all the substantial spend on Net Zero and nature”.

 

[5] Press release, independent Climate Change Committee Report, 2021.

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