Rishi Sunak’s decision to skip the upcoming Climate Summit in Egypt and the government preventing King Charles III from attending it has been criticised by many across the world who have accused the new UK Prime Minister of washing his hands of Britain’s commitment to tackle the climate crisis.
COP27 will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, in Egypt, from November 6 to November 18 — finishing the day after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is due to set out the UK’s tax and spending plans.
Downing Street in a statement last week has said that Prime Minister Sunak is no longer expected to attend the COP27 climate summit in Egypt due to “other pressing commitments, including preparations for the autumn statement”.
The UK will still be represented by other senior ministers, as well as by COP26 President Alok Sharma, at the climate summit, it said, adding that ”the government is absolutely committed to supporting COP27 and leading international action to tackle climate change and protect nature”.
Earlier in October, UK media had reported that noted environmentalist King Charles III would miss COP27 after then-Prime Minister Liz Truss advised him to drop his plans to attend.
The Egyptian government, the host of the COP27 Summit, has voiced “disappointment” at Sunak’s decision.
Sunak’s decision to snub the COP27 talks, and to keep King Charles from attending, has angered and upset countries around the world, risking the UK’s standing on the world stage and raising concerns over his government’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis, the Guardian newspaper reported on Sunday.
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