Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the effect on climate change policy of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

Leaving the EU with a deal remains the Government’s top priority. This has not changed. The Government has accelerated no deal preparations to ensure the country is prepared for every eventuality. The recently updated technical notices set out the UK’s firm commitment to addressing climate change, including in a no deal scenario, and provides advice on meeting climate change requirements if there is no withdrawal agreement.

EU exit will not affect UK emissions reduction commitments, as our ambitious emissions reduction commitments are enshrined in UK law in the Climate Change Act. Continuing discussion on global challenges such as climate change is in the UK’s and EU’s mutual interest. I have been engaging on behalf of my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State, including supporting international climate negotiations at COP24 where I had many constructive talks with EU counterparts. The importance of cooperation in the fight against climate change was recognised in the joint statement on behalf of President Junker and the Prime Minister on 7 February 2019, and we intend to continue building on this momentum in the coming months.

My upcoming speech at a European young leaders’ event is a further example of how we are taking advantage of all opportunities to engage on this subject. We are prepared to intensify our engagement and cooperation with EU institutions and member states, and the Secretary of State stands by ready to engage counterparts.