On Friday (October 28), UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended his decision to skip the COP27 climate change summit.
Sunak stated that he was unable to attend the climate summit due to ‘pressing’ economic issues.
The United Kingdom is emerging from an economic crisis caused by former Prime Minister Liz Truss’ economic policies.
Truss resigned as a result of the upheaval. Sunak faces a difficult task in restoring trust in the UK’s banking system.
The prime minister reaffirmed his “very personal commitment” to environmental issues in an interview with Sky News a day after Downing Street revealed he would skip the meeting.
On November 7-8, Egypt will host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27). The conference was held in Glasgow, England, the previous year.
Sunak has faced criticism for his choice to miss the COP 27 summit.
Sunak’s decision to boycott the conference, according to Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party in the opposition, is a “utter failure of leadership.” Sunak’s absence, according to Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, is a “shameful way to close the UK’s COP Presidency.”
