COP27: PM pledges to make the UK a clean energy superpower

The Prime Minister will address COP27 tomorrow and highlight that the UK will only be able to ensure that households and businesses have reliable, affordable fuel by solving the climate crisis and ensuring renewables are at the heart of the UK’s energy security.

He will also highlight that, in light of the disruption caused by the Russian-Ukraine conflict, the UK will work with international allies to transition to cheaper, cleaner, and safer sources of energy.  

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “When the world came together in Glasgow last year, nations agreed an historic roadmap for preventing catastrophic global warming. As I travel to COP27 in Egypt today, it is more important than ever that we deliver on those pledges.

“Fighting climate change is not just a moral good – is it fundamental to our future prosperity and security. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and contemptible manipulation of energy prices has only reinforced the importance of ending our dependence on fossil fuels.

“We need to move further and faster to transition to renewable energy, and I will ensure the UK is at the forefront of this global movement as a clean energy superpower.”

The UK has cut carbon emissions faster than any other G7 country, with renewable sources like wind and solar now making up more than 40% of its energy supply.

Anthony Baker, Founder & CEO of Satellite Vu comments: “At COP27, the UK must be a leading figure in encouraging climate action, not just commitments, in order to get back on track to meet 2030 and 2050 targets. This includes investment in green technologies that can be deployed at scale, such as satellite technology which can be used to measure the impact of energy usage, heat emissions and thermal activity using high-resolution thermal sensors.”

“Over the past 18 months, the UK government has cut carbon emissions quicker than any G7 country, aided by £30 billion in funding, and with independently verifiable data, the reduction of emissions is accurately measured, and reduction efforts can be optimised further. Transitioning to green technology will not only contribute to achieving our Net Zero promises but will provide a much-needed economic boost, promoting job creation in homegrown high-skilled roles.”

“Sunak highlighted the need to move ‘further and faster’ in climate efforts, and this must be upheld by the UK and beyond through scalable climate tech and improved access to independent data, allowing governments and businesses to deploy investment in targeted areas which can make the largest impact, such as retrofitting buildings which in turn can help to slash energy bills and reduce the energy needed to heat or cool buildings.”

The Prime Minister is expected to chair a meeting of world leaders on forests and nature, to drive progress on the landmark pledge signed by more than 100 countries last November to halt and reverse deforestation and damaging land use by 2030.

He will also attend a roundtable on energy transition partnerships, which are utilising public and private sector funds to support low and middle-income countries like South Africa to move away from fossil fuels and grow their green economies.