Foreign Secretary David Lammy has warned that climate change presents a more urgent and fundamental threat than terrorism or Vladimir Putin.
In a major speech, Lammy called for the climate crisis to be at the heart of UK foreign policy, arguing that tackling global warming could also drive economic growth by promoting clean energy and lower bills.
Lammy criticised the Conservative government for delaying action on climate change, labelling them “climate dinosaurs” for prioritising fossil fuels. He also announced a plan for a global clean power alliance to address the crisis.
Lammy’s remarks came after devastating floods in Europe, which he linked to the accelerating threat of climate change. He argued that global stability is impossible without climate stability and called for the UK to lead in international efforts to combat rising temperatures.
While Labour has faced criticism for scaling back its pledge to spend £28bn on green projects, Lammy maintained that decisive action is needed to counter climate change. His speech outlined Labour’s commitment to achieving net zero and the significant economic opportunities presented by the energy transition.
Hannah Bond of ActionAid UK welcomed Lammy’s comments, noting the vital role of addressing climate change in tackling global gender inequality. However, she cautioned that substantial funding is required to match the government’s ambitions.
Lammy’s speech highlighted the stark contrast between Labour’s green agenda and the Conservatives’ focus on fossil fuels, framing climate change as central to both the UK’s security and future prosperity.
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