Cop31: ‘The crisis is upon us now’, Burnham tells climate summit
World leaders will hold sway over Cop again today, as they swing through a series of bilateral meetings and roundtables on subjects from methane to forest finance. Prime minister Andy Burnham of the UK has arrived, and is set to follow up Ed Miliband’s warnings on the climate threat to national security with the appointment of a first climate security adviser. He will grab a bilateral with President Lula of Brazil while in town, before departing – with most other European leaders – to the Dublin conference on AI.
TL;DR
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham attended Cop31, emphasizing the urgency of the climate crisis.
- He announced the appointment of the UK's first climate security adviser.
- Burnham highlighted the affordability of clean energy in the UK, citing electric cars and heat pumps.
- He stated that the climate crisis is directly linked to fossil fuels and energy insecurity.
- Burnham acknowledged that the world will breach the 1.5C temperature rise limit.
- Negotiators are discussing a 'cover decision' for the summit, a formal document that can contain binding resolutions.
- Some groups, including the Arab Group, Russia, and Like-Minded Developing Countries, oppose a cover decision this year.
- Potential items for a cover decision include a pledge for 35% of final energy from electricity by 2035 and recognition of Brazil's roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels.