UK Leader Reverses Decision Not to Attend UN Climate Talks

UK Leader Reverses Decision Not to Attend UN Climate Talks

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday said he will attend this month's UN climate summit in Egypt, reversing a decision to skip it that had drawn criticism at home and abroad.

Sunak's office previously said he had to skip the gathering, known as COP27, which start on Sunday. It cited "pressing domestic commitments," including preparations for a major government budget statement scheduled for Nov. 17.

But Sunak tweeted Wednesday that he would attend the two-week gathering because "there is no long-term prosperity without action on climate change."

"There is no energy security without investing in renewables," he wrote.

Sunak's earlier decision to skip the talks were criticized by many, including British government climate adviser Alok Sharma, who will hand over presidency of the Conference of the Parties, or COP, at the summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. The UK hosted last year's COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland.

Sunak's about-face came the day after former Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed he will be going to the climate talks at the invitation of the host country. Under Johnson, who left office in September, the UK committed to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and to eliminate coal from its energy mix by 2024.