Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether any UK minister was in Dubai at COP28 on 12 December during negotiations to include the transitioning away from all fossil fuels in the UAE Consensus; and if no minister was present at that time, what assessment they have made of the impact this will have on British diplomacy and global influence.

On 12 December Minister Stuart returned to the UK to attend Parliament in his role as an MP. There continued to be full UK representation at the summit throughout, with my noble Friend Lord Benyon representing the UK at Ministerial level alongside UK officials.

Minister Stuart continued to be the lead UK Minister for negotiations and remained in constant contact with the UK Lead Climate Negotiator and my noble Friend Lord Benyon, with any final decisions agreed with him. Minister Stuart returned on 13 December for the final day of negotiations and attended the closing plenary.