Rishi Sunak is set to attend COP27 in Egypt next week after initially saying he was too focused on the domestic economy to go.

Rishi Sunak is set to attend COP27 in Egypt next week after initially saying he was too focused on the domestic economy to go. He tweeted:

“There is no long-term prosperity without action on climate change. There is no energy security without investing in renewables. That is why I will attend  @COP27P next week: to deliver on Glasgow's legacy of building a secure and sustainable future.”

He made no reference to the fact that he has reversed his previous stance. Sunak faced pressure from Labour leader Keir Starmer and other MPs as well as climate organisations over the decision not to attend. 

The Egyptian government had voiced their disappointment over Sunak’s non-attendance. His U-turn will surely be welcomed by the COP27 hosts, as well being welcomed already by MPs across parties. 

Alok Sharma, who led the UK’s Cop presidency in Glasgow last year, said he was “delighted” by the reversal of Sunak’s position. Chris Skidmore, who is leading the government’s review into net zero, said: “It’s extremely good news that Rishi Sunak will continue to champion the UK’s climate leadership and Cop26 legacy with Alok Sharma. He added, “I look forward to also attending Cop27 to highlight how the net zero review is an opportunity to better deliver greater prosperity and economic growth.”

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed he was invited and will attend the climate summit as well. In his first formal interview with Sky News since resigning as PM, he said he was very happy to go, adding he has “a particular interest.” He said COP26 had been a "fantastic global success" which did "a huge amount of good for the planet,” but remarking that it had been “unfashionable” to talk about the event.

He said that Sunak has “pointed out he has a huge amount to do, we’ve got to sort out a huge agenda and that’s what he’s getting on with”. Johnson’s decision to attend may have put the final bit of pressure on Sunak to reverse his decision.

(Sources: Twitter, The Guardian, Sky News)

Image Credit: Andrew Parsons