Dear Constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about Great Big Green Week and COP26, which is being held in Glasgow in November this year. 

As you are probably aware, the Prime Minister has set the world’s most ambitious climate change target into law of reducing emissions by 78 per cent by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. This builds on the existing interim target of reducing emissions by 68 per cent by 2030.  The Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution lays the blueprint for how the UK can forge ahead in eradicating our contribution to climate change and achieving net zero.

While the UK is taking world-leading steps to combat global warming, it is an issue that requires global attention and international action. That is why we will bring together world leaders, climate experts, business leaders and citizens from across the globe to agree ambitious action to tackle climate change. Further, we will use our Presidency to work to four clear objectives:

1. To ask countries to commit to net zero by mid-century, with more ambitious nationally determined contribution targets for 2030;
2. To urgently protect and help adapt our communities and natural habitats from the destructive effects of climate change;
3. To increase funding to support these aims, making good on the $100 billion annual climate finance goal affirmed through the Paris Agreement; and
4. To close off the outstanding elements of the Paris Rulebook, and accelerate delivery of the Paris Goals through collaboration between Governments, Businesses and Civil Society. 

Encouraging progress has already been made, for example, when the UK accepted the Presidency, under 30 per cent of the global economy had signed up to a net zero commitment and I am delighted that that figure has now increased to 70 per cent. Around 120 countries are committed to or are developing long-term climate neutral plans. We are dedicated to working with all countries to inspire action ahead of and during the conference, including pressing for more countries to set net zero targets.

Thank you for bringing to my attention the Great Big Green Week which is taking place this year from 18-26 September. I am pleased that this is taking place before COP26 to encourage further awareness of the key issues surrounding climate change. I appreciate you taking the time to invite me to meet you to discuss these issues ahead of the Great Big Green Week.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.

Yours,

EDWARD LEIGH MP