Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Julian Sturdy Excerpts
Wednesday 20th October 2021

(3 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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The COP26 President was asked—
Julian Sturdy Portrait Julian Sturdy (York Outer) (Con)
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1. What his policy objectives are for COP26.

Rob Butler Portrait Rob Butler (Aylesbury) (Con)
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10. What his policy objectives are for COP26.

Lord Sharma Portrait The COP26 President (Alok Sharma)
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Our overarching objective of COP26 is to keep within reach the goal of limiting average global temperature rises to 1.5 °C. To achieve that, we have been asking countries to set out ambitious emissions reduction commitments and to come forward with adaptation plans, and asking developed countries to deliver on their climate finance promises and for us collectively to reach agreement on the outstanding elements of the Paris rulebook.

Julian Sturdy Portrait Julian Sturdy
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Given the Government’s recent wise decision to recognise that environment-saving gene-editing technology should be recognised differently from GM—genetic modification—will Ministers use COP26 to champion this and other cutting-edge science and technologies that provide some of the best solutions to the problems of sustainability and climate change?

Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
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My hon. Friend raises an important point. Science and innovation are crucial to tackling climate change and delivering green growth. Innovation will be discussed at the world leaders’ summit at COP26. On 9 November, we will provide a particular focus on discussing and indeed showcasing science and innovation’s role in tackling climate change.