Burnham commits to 2050 net zero target and working with others to reach theirs

Andy Burnham has said the UK is committed to meeting its 2050 net zero target and working with other countries to reach theirs.

Amid accusations that his Government is deprioritising the green agenda, the Prime Minister pledged a “new era of British leadership over the next decade” on the climate.

During his speech to the United Nations Cop31 summit in Turkey, he warned that the “climate crisis is upon all of us now” after a “not normal” summer of extreme heat, wildfires and drought.

“The climate crisis is not a distant threat; it is upon us all now, devastating lives and livelihoods everywhere,” he said.

“Meanwhile, two wars across two continents have sent fuel prices and gas bills soaring for families and businesses across the world. The common thread running through all of this: our dependence on fossil fuels.

“The message I carry here at my Cop as UK Prime Minister is this, we’re committed to meeting our 2050 net zero target, and committed to working with all of our partners to reach theirs.”

Mr Burnham is expected to be the only G7 leader to address the summit in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, with US President Donald Trump declining to send a delegation for the second year running.

He was the first speaker at the conference on Thursday, addressing a half-empty plenary hall at the start of the session with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and London Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan in the audience.