On Wednesday there were several MPs that raised questions about COP26 Outcomes. One of them was Caroline Lucas who raised a very credible question which tragically did not get responded to in a very credible way. The text can be obtained from here. This question will clearly need to be repeated until the Government is willing to answer the question. The Minister who answered the question was Alok Sharma.

Caroline Lucas: The long-term effectiveness of COP26 outcomes derives at least in part from the credibility of pledges made in Glasgow and the serious implementation of climate policies at home, especially while we still hold the presidency. Does the President of COP26 share my concern about yesterday’s High Court ruling that the UK’s net zero strategy was unlawful because it failed to meet the Government’s obligations under the Climate Change Act 2008? Is he worried about the message that that sends to other countries, and will he use his best offices to ensure that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy does now fulfil its obligations as it is required to do?

Alok Sharma: Obviously, I saw the judgment as well. Let me first emphasise that the net zero strategy itself remains Government policy. That is not what has been squashed. The judgment was about providing information on the percentage of emissions reductions coming from individual policy elements. Of course BEIS is looking at this, and it will have to respond in due course.