Politicians in Sharm el-Sheikh for COP27

UK politicians including prime minister Rishi Sunak, foreign secretary James Cleverly and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon have arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh for COP27.

It is expected that Sunak will make announcements on adaptation, including that the UK will triple funding for adaptation programmes.

Cleverly is expected to announce support for developing economies to tackle climate change. The support is set to include more than £100 million to help developing economies respond to climate-related disasters and adapt to the impact of climate change.

He is expected to call for action to deliver on the commitments made at COP26, held in Glasgow last year.

He said: "The Glasgow Climate Pact gave the world the tools to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees and build a secure and sustainable future.

"Now is the time for all countries to step up their action on climate change and deliver the tangible change needed.

"The UK will continue to play a leading role in this mission. The funding we have announced will support countries which are facing the devastating impact of climate change, to adapt effectively."

Nicola Sturgeon said: “COP26 in Glasgow delivered real progress on tackling the climate crisis, with strengthened commitments to curb emissions, build resilience to climate change, and provide the finance needed to reach net zero. World leaders must use the next two weeks to take meaningful steps to deliver on the promises made in the Glasgow Climate Pact.

“We are gathering against a tense backdrop and the geopolitical landscape has changed significantly in the last year, not least as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. However the climate crisis has not gone away and the answer to many of the global crises we face, such as energy security and food shortages, lies in going faster.  

“For many countries, particularly in the global south, this must be the COP where the global north not only delivers on our promises to finance adaptation and mitigation, but recognises the need to address the loss and damage experienced by countries already impacted by climate change.

“Last year, Scotland became the first developed nation to pledge finance to address loss and damage and others have now followed suit, including Wallonia and Denmark. This shows just how important the action of smaller governments can be, and I know many countries and campaigners hope to see other countries, particularly in the north, step up and make COP in Egypt the loss and damage COP.”

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