Oil Change International response to Keir Starmer’s speech at COP29 announcing the UK’s NDC target
“The UK wants to call itself a climate leader but today Keir Starmer failed to match strong words with a strong plan of action.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12 November 2024
Contact: Nicole Rodel, Oil Change International – [email protected]
In response to Keir Starmer’s speech at COP29 announcing the UK’s NDC target, Rosemary Harris, North Sea Senior Campaigner at Oil Change International, said:
“The UK wants to call itself a climate leader but today Keir Starmer failed to match strong words with a strong plan of action. It is promising to see the Prime Minister commit to an ambitious target for UK emissions reduction by 2035 in the NDC today, and only right that the UK sets its sights on a target that meets our fair share globally. However, the devil is in the details, and we hope to see promises on ending oil and gas licenses reflected in the NDC.
“The UK’s leadership on ending international public finance for fossil fuels has been essential, but that alone is not enough – avoiding breaching critical climate limits means ending new fossil fuel projects everywhere and mobilising public money. Real climate solutions require public funding, not continued reliance on a failed private-sector-first approach or industry greenwashing like CCS. The Prime Minister’s speech today made it clear that he has not yet grasped this reality. We know that rich countries, including the UK, can mobilise the trillions needed for climate action, including to finance the just energy transition and fossil fuel phaseout that supports workers and communities.
“One of the key tests for UK climate leadership at this COP is whether it will support the $1 trillion climate finance target that is essential to propel a just transition around the world. Yet Keir Starmer chose to start the day by refusing to do so and instead pointed to the private sector to pick up the tab.
“Real climate leadership will be judged in meaningful action on climate finance, an end to oil and gas licensing in the North Sea in legislation, and proper, publicly funded transition plans for impacted communities at home. Sadly the UK continues to fall short in all of these crucial areas.”