Select Committee · Foreign Affairs Committee

Environmental diplomacy

Status: Closed Opened: 3 Mar 2020 Closed: 25 Jun 2021 11 recommendations 3 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry will examine how the FCO conducts environmental diplomacy, what the UK’s strategy is bringing all government departments together, and the FCO’s management of the tension between environmental goals and other diplomatic objectives. In particular, the Committee will focus on preparations for COP26, speaking to other recent host countries and attempting to learn from … Show more

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition: Diplomatic preparat… HC 202 19 Apr 2021 14 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

2 items
5 Recommendation Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:… Accepted in Part

The Government should ensure its objectives for COP26 are brought into all of the FCDO’s...

The Government should ensure its objectives for COP26 are brought into all of the FCDO’s foreign policy activity, including trade deals, decisions on overseas aid and bilateral and multilateral conversations with other UNFCCC parties. The Government’s international development strategy should be published before COP26 and prioritise climate and biodiversity, listing … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government accepts integrating COP26 objectives into its foreign policy, highlighting its work as G7 and COP26 Presidents to align processes and promote green infrastructure investment and trade. However, the response does not address the recommendation to publish a dedicated international development strategy before COP26 …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
14 Conclusion Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:… Accepted in Part

Given the commitment of the global environmental community to a green agenda, a downscaled COP26...

Given the commitment of the global environmental community to a green agenda, a downscaled COP26 could become the first expression of a new approach to international climate diplomacy, rejecting airmiles for airwaves and living the message of carbon neutrality. (Paragraph 36) A climate for ambition: Diplomatic preparations for COP26 23 Read more

Government response AI summary
The government stated its intent to hold COP26 in person, but committed to specific actions to ensure sustainability and carbon neutrality. These include aiming for ISO20121 certification, implementing a robust Carbon Management Plan to reduce and offset emissions, and encouraging low-carbon travel while offsetting associated …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
18 May 2021 Dr John Murton · COP26 Unit, Cabinet Office, Peter Hill · Cabinet Office, Ros Eales · COP26 Unit, Cabinet Office, Rt Hon Alok Sharma View ↗
16 Mar 2021 Dr Katharine Rietig · Newcastle University, Laurence Tubiana · European Climate Foundation, Professor Robert Falkner · London School of Economics View ↗
19 Jan 2021 Dr Richard Powell · Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Heather Conley · Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Professor Klaus Dodds · Royal Holloway University of London View ↗
10 Mar 2020 Katie White · WWF, Pete Betts · Chatham House, Shane Tomlinson · E3G - Third Generation Environmentalism View ↗

Who gave evidence

13 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Dr John Murton · UK COP26 Envoy COP26 Unit, Cabinet Office 1
Dr Katharine Rietig · Senior Lecturer in International Politics Newcastle University 1
Dr Richard Powell · Reader in Arctic Studies Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge 1
Heather Conley · Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia, and th… Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) 1
Katie White · Executive Director Advocacy and Campaigns WWF 1
Laurence Tubiana · Chief Executive Officer European Climate Foundation 1
Pete Betts · Associate Fellow Chatham House 1
Peter Hill · Chief Executive Officer Cabinet Office 1
Professor Klaus Dodds · Professor of Geopolitics Royal Holloway University of London 1
Professor Robert Falkner · Associate Professor of International Relations London School of Economics 1
Ros Eales · Chief Operating Officer COP26 Unit, Cabinet Office 1
Rt Hon Alok Sharma 1
Shane Tomlinson · Deputy Chief Executive Officer E3G - Third Generation Environmentalism 1

Correspondence

2 letters
DateDirectionTitle
14 Apr 2021 Correspondence with the Foreign Secretary on COP26 preparations, dated 06/04/20…
13 Jan 2021 Correspondence with the Prime Minister relating to the appointment of the Right…