Last week, I was in Glasgow attending the “COP26” Climate Summit – something many have rightly called the best, ‘last chance’ to save our planet and keep global temperature rises within the 1.5c recommended by the IPCC. Whilst the Summit continues this week it has already produced concrete action with 18 of the very largest G20 countries making pledges to reduce emissions and 190 countries agreeing to phase out coal – the most damaging carbon fuel for energy – by 2040 at the very latest (and by 2030 for developed countries). That of course includes the UK where we have already reduced coal energy from 30% in 2014 down to just 1% today. The Global Methane pledge promises to eliminate this gas which is 80 times more damaging than CO2.
A standout for me was the pledge by over 100 world leaders to end deforestation by 2030. That this included Brazil is a major victory as their borders contain 60% of the Amazon, representing over 1.26 million square miles of rainforest. Finally, I was proud to represent the UK for the signing of a Declaration on Zero Emission Shipping alongside former US Secretary of State and US special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, and the Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederisken. Shipping is one of the largest sources of emissions – something for us all to remember when we look at the country of origin of goods that we buy and see if we can buy local instead.
On my return from Glasgow, I planted a memorial cross in Parliament’s New Palace Yard in recognition of all those servicemen and women from Arundel and South Downs who fought to protect the freedoms that we enjoy in Britain today. Over the week ahead, communities across Sussex will gather to remember and honour their sacrifices - after the Covid lockdowns last year, it is right that we are once more able to mark this important civic moment in the life of our nation.
Photo of signing of the Declaration on Zero Emission Shipping at COP 26.
Left to right: Andrew Griffith MP, US Climate Envoy Senator John Kerry, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Henriette Hallberg Thygesen and Marshall Islands Minister Bruce Bilimon.
