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

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told delegates at the COP31 climate summit in Turkey that global agreement on climate science and action had “gone”, while pledging a “new era of British leadership”. He said climate change was already affecting people’s health, homes and essential services in the UK, and announced a new climate security envoy.

Burnham cited the UK’s hottest summer on record, which the Met Office said climate change made 130 times more likely; hundreds of schools closed, cereal harvests fell 11%, and ambulance services faced exceptional demand. The government says it remains committed to net zero by 2050 and wants to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, but campaigners point to approval of the Jackdaw gas field and reduced heat pump support as evidence of conflicting policies. Turkey is seeking a pledge for electricity to meet 35% of countries’ energy needs by 2035, up from about a fifth now.