Joined by Sir David Attenborough and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, the Prime Minister has today launched the next UN climate conference COP26 which will take place in Glasgow this autumn – in a flurry of controversy following the removal of former Minister Claire Perry O’Neill as the President of COP26.
Boris Johnson named the former Minister for Energy and Clean Growth as the UK’s nominated President for COP26 in August last year. However, the Prime Minister’s special adviser Dominc Cummings effectively sacked Claire Perry O’Neill in a brief phone call last week.
A brief statement confirming her removal issued by the Cabinet Office on 31st January simply states:
“An update on the Presidency of UK COP26
Claire Perry O’Neill will no longer be UK COP26 President. The Prime Minister is grateful to Claire for her work preparing for what will be a very successful and ambitious climate change summit in Glasgow in November.
Preparations will continue at pace for the summit, and a replacement will be confirmed shortly. Going forward, this will be a ministerial role.”
In a speech at today’s launch event at the Science Museum in London, Boris Johnson said:
“Hosting COP26 is an important opportunity for the UK and nations across the globe to step up in the fight against climate change. As we set out our plans to hit our ambitious 2050 net zero target across this year, so we shall urge others to join us in pledging net zero emissions.”
“There can be no greater responsibility than protecting our planet, and no mission that a Global Britain is prouder to serve. 2020 must be the year we turn the tide on global warming– it will be the year when we choose a cleaner, greener future for all.”
However, he failed to respond to questions about the sacking, or comment on Claire Perry O'Neill’s blistering attack in a letter published in The Financial Times newspaper today criticising both his own and the government’s efforts.
The Prime Minister used the speech to call for international efforts to reach net zero as early as possible through investment in cleaner, greener technology, preservation of the natural habitat and measures to improve resilience to climate change impact.
To demonstrate the UK’s urgent action to reduce emissions, the Government plans to bring forward an end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2035, or earlier if a faster transition is feasible, subject to consultation, as well as including hybrids for the first time.
Claire Perry letter: "I am told ....you are considering re-locating the event to an English location"
Describing herself as “ surprised and dismayed” to be told she was no longer required to act as the Conference of the UN PartiesPresident, Claire Perry says in the letter:
“It was very disheartening … to learn that No.10 is rumoured to be behind the media briefings put out to support your decision, which variously contained awful, false and distorted defamatory allegations.”
“Let's leave my disappointment with the firing process and No.10's apparent dark ops to one side, and focus on the real issue.”
She goes on to point out that the Cabinet sub-committee on climate Biris Johnson had promised to chair, which she was to attend, has not met once, commenting:
“In the absence of your promised leadership and Cabinet agreement, and despite the best efforts of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, departments have fought internal Whitehall battles over who is responsible and accountable for COP actions and made the work of the COP unit to drive forward plans and preparation so much harder.”
“I am told by COP unit sources that budgets (which I do not see) are ballooning, the team and the Scottish government are in an extraordinary state of stand-off and that you are considering re-locating the event to an English location. I had asked if you would consider resetting your relationship with the First Minister - putting aside the devolution battle for the sake of this vastly more important agenda. I understand you declined in salty terms.”
Claire Perry concludes her letter to the Prime Minister by saying:
“You had a vision for Brexit and you got Brexit done. As I write, we have less than 7,000 hours before the start of COP26 where we have a chance to set a new global vision for climate recovery and build a new consensus for global climate action.
Please get this done too.”