COP31: Burnham says climate consensus ‘gone’ but pledges ‘new era of leadership’

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed concern that the global consensus on scientific viewpoints and climate change has dissipated. Speaking at the COP31 climate summit in Turkey, he emphasized that despite this loss of unity, the UK is prepared to usher in a new chapter of leadership on climate issues. However, several environmental advocates at the event urged Burnham to accompany his encouraging rhetoric with more decisive and impactful measures.

During his address, Burnham highlighted the record-breaking heatwaves experienced in the UK over the past summer, describing the conditions as “not normal.” The Met Office has reported that this was the hottest summer on record, made about 130 times more likely due to the effects of climate change. The extreme heat resulted in many schools closing, an 11% drop in cereal harvests, and a surge in ambulance calls that surpassed even pandemic-era numbers. Responding to such threats to public health and safety, Burnham announced the appointment of Dame Madeleine Alessandri, the former head of the Joint Intelligence Committee, as the UK’s and the world’s first climate security envoy. Alessandri noted that climate change and the degradation of nature are increasingly influencing global security dynamics, placing additional burdens on resources, economies, and communities.

Burnham reiterated the UK government’s commitment to meeting the net zero carbon emissions target by 2050 while simultaneously aiming to reduce household energy bills. Central to this strategy is reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels and boosting electrification through renewable energy sources. Turkey, as a co-host of COP31, is pushing for an international commitment to supply 35% of energy from electricity by 2035, a significant increase from the current global average of about 20%. Despite these pledges, Burnham has faced criticism for what some perceive as contradictory policies, such as the recent approval of the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea on the basis of energy security needs. Additionally, the UK government has scaled back funding for the Warm Homes Plan, which supports heat pump installations, and rumors have surfaced about potential dilution of electric vehicle sales targets, though no formal decisions have been announced. Transitioning from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles and shifting from gas boilers to electric heat pumps are widely recognized as crucial steps toward achieving the ambitious electrification goals.

While no members of the royal family attended COP31 in person, King Charles III sent a message stressing the importance of collective action. He remarked, “Our children and grandchildren will not judge us by the promises we made, but by what we chose to do.” Burnham was notably the only leader from the G7 nations to speak at the summit, reflecting a broader decline in enthusiasm for the COP process. He acknowledged this in his speech, echoing a statement previously made by Sir Keir Starmer: “The consensus we once enjoyed on science and climate has gone, and the reality is now the world will reach 1.5 degrees.” Leaders from vulnerable island nations such as Tonga, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands also addressed the urgent threats they face, with many residents forced to relocate due to rising sea levels. Australia, another co-host of COP31, recently launched the world’s first climate visa to help Tuvalu citizens evacuate, underscoring the real and immediate consequences of climate change. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, global mean sea levels have now reached their highest recorded levels, reinforcing the pressing need for international cooperation on climate action