Climate action must work for ‘people on all incomes,’ Burnham tells COP31
The U.K. PM used his summit speech to address cost-of-living worries at home.
Antalya, Turkey — U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham emphasized during COP31 that electric cars and heat pumps must be affordable to ensure people of all incomes can participate in the green transition. As a core focus of his domestic policy, Burnham reiterated the U.K.'s commitment to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
However, he expressed concern that the global community has not moved swiftly enough in the past five years to demonstrate that climate action and electrification can be cost-effective for citizens. During his visit to the U.N. conference, Burnham highlighted the importance of electrification in transport, heat, and industry as a means to create cheap power.
While supporting Turkey and Australia's electrification efforts, Burnham did not endorse the specific target of 35% global energy shift to electricity by 2035. He stressed the need for industry to assist in making these technologies accessible to consumers of all income levels. Despite budget cuts to heat pump subsidies and proposals to water down EV quotas, Burnham stressed the U.K.'s commitment to cutting reliance on fossil fuels.
He announced that the U.K. would use its G20 presidency next year to prioritize climate resilience and address debt, development, and insurance concerns. Additionally, Burnham appointed former Joint Intelligence Committee head Madeline Alessandri as the U.K.'s special representative for climate security.
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