Oral Answers to Questions

Bim Afolami Excerpts

Tuesday 25th June 2019 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South) (Lab)]

14. What recent progress the Government have made on tackling climate change through international co-operation.

[Bim Afolami (Hitchin and Harpenden) (Con)]

15. What diplomatic steps the Government are taking to lead the international effort to tackle climate change.

[Ruth George (High Peak) (Lab)]

21. What recent progress the Government have made on tackling climate change through international co-operation.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Hunt]

I agree with the hon. Gentleman that the scenes in Malaysia and other parts of the world of plastic waste that has often come from us are not acceptable. All I can do is salute the extraordinary work done by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in championing an end to plastics in the ocean. The international leadership he has shown is extraordinary.

[Bim Afolami]

I welcome the fact that, yesterday, this House of Commons voted to make the UK carbon-neutral by 2050. That is a great achievement for this Parliament. The Foreign Secretary is fully aware that the UK accounts for only a very small percentage—about 2%—of global emissions, so for the change to be made a reality for the world, other countries need to follow suit. What is his assessment of how the effort is going in other developed countries to ensure that they follow our lead?

[Mr Hunt]

I think we are making progress, despite the setback of not having the United States on board. As for exactly what the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is doing, we have 299 people across the world whose job is entirely or partly to advocate on climate change. We are using our diplomatic network to its fullest effect.