Andy Burnham told Cop31 on Thursday that the UK will meet its 2050 net zero target. He called climate change a national security issue.
Burnham is expected to be the only G7 leader at the summit. The US is sending no delegation for a second straight year. £12 billion in Norfolk offshore wind investment was welcomed before the trip. Dame Madeleine Alessandri was named climate security envoy. Why it matters: Burnham's summit pledge sits alongside domestic decisions that campaigners and critics say point the other way.
Ministers are reportedly considering cutting EV sales targets by about a quarter. Ministers approved North Sea drilling at the Jackdaw gas field. Ministers blocked a planned solar farm on the Blenheim Estate.
The story so far 7 steps · since Nov 5 Nov 5 1 smaller step Nov 8 COP31 Opens in Turkey as Climate Goals Face Pressure 31 sources Nov 9 El Niño Nears, Could Push 2026 Among Hottest Years 11 sources Nov 10 Burnham Weighs Rosebank Oil Field Ahead of COP31 Summit 6 sources Nov 115:31 AM World Leaders Open UN Climate Talks Amid Slow Action Concerns 14 sources Nov 11 1 smaller step Nov 12 Burnham Pledges UK Net Zero by 2050 at COP31 Summit You are here Latest
How 4 sources split on this story Bias Ownership
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4 sources · 6 articles · 50% Center coverage
Where they split: Coverage differs on whether Burnham's attendance shows UK climate leadership or a costly trip contradicted by policy at home.
Left coverage, 1 sources: The left sees Burnham reasserting British climate leadership and tying it to national security, while noting questions over his green commitment.
Right coverage, 1 sources: The right sees Burnham addressing a half-empty hall that other G7 leaders skipped, while his ministers prepare to weaken EV targets.
What’s next: Louise Haigh is due to chair a Cabinet committee on electric vehicle targets.
Burnham is expected to meet Lula on the sidelines to discuss Amazon protection. Campaigners want the government to block the larger Rosebank oil project. How much will the Cabinet committee lower the electric vehicle targets? Will the government approve or block the Rosebank oil project? What can Cop31 achieve with the US, China and India absent? 
