The UK government is considering making significant new commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with plans to announce these at the upcoming UN climate summit, COP29, in Azerbaijan this November. This initiative, championed by Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, and supported by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aims to reinvigorate global climate ambitions and establish the UK as a leader in international climate negotiations.
Under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, countries are required to submit increasingly stringent targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These targets, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), are crucial for limiting global temperature rises to within 1.5°C of preindustrial levels. While countries are officially obliged to update their NDCs by February 2025, Miliband plans to unveil the UK’s new targets months in advance, setting the stage for other nations to follow suit.
Miliband’s proactive approach is viewed as a strategic move to restore the UK’s leadership role in climate diplomacy, which had waned under the previous Conservative government. Activists and representatives from developing countries have expressed strong support for the UK’s plans. Harjeet Singh, Global Engagement Director for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, emphasized that the UK’s early announcement would demonstrate its commitment to climate leadership and equity. By scaling up investments in clean energy and fulfilling its climate finance obligations, the UK could help drive a global transition to renewable energy that benefits all nations.
Mohamed Adow, Director of the Power Shift Africa think tank, echoed these sentiments, noting that the UK’s early and robust NDC would signal its return to climate leadership on the international stage. Adow suggested that the UK should include its commitment to phasing out fossil fuels within its NDC, setting a clear example for other countries to follow through the formal UN process.
The UK’s current NDC pledges a 68% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. To build on this, Miliband has sought advice from the Climate Change Committee (CCC) on setting the next target for 2035. The CCC’s recommendations are expected to be published before the autumn budget in late October, potentially influencing the UK’s position at COP29.
The timing of the COP29 summit, just days after the US election, presents a unique opportunity for the UK to step into a leadership role, particularly as other major climate advocates like France and Germany face political challenges at home. Miliband’s recent visit to Brazil, the current president of the G20 and host of COP30, and his meeting with Azerbaijan’s COP29 president, Mukhtar Babayev, underscore the UK’s intent to collaborate closely with the developing world on climate issues.
Next year, Miliband will co-host a conference in the UK with the International Energy Agency, further solidifying the UK’s commitment to global climate action. These efforts mark a sharp contrast to the previous Conservative government, which had taken a less proactive stance on climate issues, particularly under the leadership of Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.
As the world prepares for COP29, the UK’s early and ambitious commitment to cutting emissions could inspire renewed global efforts to tackle climate change, setting a precedent for other nations to follow.