Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Jones Excerpts
Wednesday 20th October 2021

(3 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
David Mundell Portrait David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale) (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

5. What recent steps he has taken to engage with communities in preparation for COP26.

Andrew Jones Portrait Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

7. What steps he is taking to consult with (a) civil society and (b) youth groups in preparation for COP26.

Lord Sharma Portrait The COP26 President (Alok Sharma)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I have met a range of society and youth groups in every country that I have visited in my COP role. Alongside that, I co-chaired the COP26 civil society and youth advisory council. Last month, I attended the Youth4Climate: Driving Ambition conference to hear at first hand almost 400 youth climate activists representing 186 countries.

--- Later in debate ---
Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

We have had a good working relationship with delivery partners across the piece and it is very important that that continues. Obviously, my right hon. Friend has highlighted a number of local issues. If he wants to get in touch with me, I would be very happy to see what we can do to try to solve the problems.

Andrew Jones Portrait Andrew Jones
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Two weeks ago, I saw Harrogate High School, St Joseph’s primary school and Zero Carbon Harrogate promote their walk-to-school day. Talking to pupils, I found that their interest in environmental progress was very strong, so has my right hon. Friend shared the feedback on his consultations with other Government Departments to promote work such as sustainable transport both domestically and internationally?

Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend and, of course, Harrogate High School and Zero Carbon Harrogate for promoting sustainable travel initiatives. He will know that the COP unit is working very closely with other Government Departments to try to support business on sustainable transport initiatives. I want to give him one example: the Zero Emission Vehicles Transition Council is working with Ministers representing leading car markets across the world to accelerate the move to electric vehicles.

--- Later in debate ---
Anne-Marie Trevelyan Portrait The Secretary of State for International Trade (Anne-Marie Trevelyan)
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

Waste management is a critical part of helping us to reach net zero across the planet. I was very pleased to see in the Duke of Cambridge’s Earthshot prize awards on Sunday that the Indians had a really interesting solution to the problem that ensured they could reduce their waste management and not have to burn their crops.

Andrew Jones Portrait Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

T2. Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition is staging its first climate action festival to coincide with COP26. It is full of events promoting ways that people can decarbonise their lives, with businesses, academics and community groups involved. Will the Minister join me in congratulating them on this excellent initiative and perhaps consider joining us for the second festival?

Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

There is no festival better than a climate action festival. I congratulate Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition, which has brilliantly demonstrated that tackling climate change is an all-of-society endeavour bringing together business, civil society and government.