Pressure to Ratify UK Climate Deal

Pressure grows on the UK as US and China have ratified the Paris climate change agreement.

18:16 06 September 2016

China and the US have jointly ratified Paris climate change agreement putting more pressure on the UK to act swiftly.

 

Although a spokesman for the prime minister has said that the UK would ratify “as soon as possible”, Labour, the Lib Dems, SNP and the Greens said that the UK has lost its long-term leadership on the climate. They added that there is no good reason for the UK to delay.

 

Labour's shadow climate change minister Barry Gardiner said: "The normal procedure for domestic ratification would see the government issue a Command Paper, which would be discussed by a small committee of MPs.

 

"The government has not indicated it is ready to do this to allow the UK to be one of the founding parties to the agreement when it comes into force - most likely by the end of this year.

 

"We need to re-establish common ground on this vital issue. I am holding out an olive branch to the government.

 

"Their acceptance would be a welcome acknowledgement that climate change is not just one of the most important challenges we face but is one where all politicians must be seen to be working together."

 

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat spokeswoman Lynne Featherstone said: "Now America and even China have ratified the Paris Agreement, Britain must move as swiftly as possible to sign.

 

"This is a hugely important example of where Britain should be working with our European partners to set an example for the rest of the world."