Ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, Green MPs have written to Keir Starmer calling on him to ensure that polluters rather than the poorest in communities pay for climate action [1].  They also call on the UK government to reject a licence for the giant Rosebank oilfield and refuse development consent for oil and gas projects that have already been licensed.  

Green MP, Ellie Chowns, leader of the parliamentary group of MPs in the House of Commons, said: 

“Whilst we welcome the fact Keir Starmer will attend COP30 in Brazil, it will come to nothing unless he uses his voice and the UK’s political influence to ensure an ambitious outcome that will help the world avoid the most catastrophic climate impacts. 

“COP30 is taking place against a backdrop of continued financial support from governments for the fossil fuel industry. This includes an estimated £17.5 billion every year here in the UK – £2.7 billion of which is tax breaks for fossil fuel production. 

“Efforts to tackle the climate crisis will be undermined if the poorest in communities feel they are left to foot the bill for climate action. Those responsible for wrecking our planet must bear the costs of fixing it or cleaning it up.  That’s why we urge the prime minister to push for a Climate Damages Tax at COP – a “polluters pay” tax on the extraction of fossil fuels. 

“The government must also show true climate leadership back home by refusing permission for the giant Rosebank oilfield, which would create more emissions than the combined annual CO2 emissions of all 28 low-income countries in the world – the very countries that are bearing the brunt of climate breakdown.” 

Chowns went on to say: 

“The UN Secretary General has called the fossil fuel companies the “godfathers of climate chaos”. By fuelling the climate crisis, they are imperilling our security and stability – threatening food supplies and impacting our health and wellbeing. Fossil fuel companies are profiteering off climate breakdown, and it is time they are made to pay.” 

ENDS 

Notes 

1. See Green MPs letter to prime minister Keir Starmer which includes a full list of references.   

Responding to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Green Party co-leader Mothin Ali said: 

“Sudan’s civilians are paying a horrific price for the proxy war being fought out by government forces and those of the so-called Rapid Support Forces. 

“Thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and a human–made famine is threatening the lives of many more. 

“The United Nations daily reports widespread ethnically and politically motivated killings, while those with the power to make a difference – including the UK government – stand back.   

“This horror is driven by foreign government’s fuelling the fire with the supply of weapons and logistical support as they use the civil war to try to control Sudan’s gold mines and other natural resources. 

“UK weapons have been used by the Rapid Support Forces, channelled through the United Arab Emirates, despite a supposed international arms embargo. (1) 

“Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper (2) has rightly called for a ceasefire but has stopped short of promoting the actions needed to back it up. 

“It is possible to make a difference. The UK government must support the humanitarian effort to get food and medicines into civilian areas by implementing UN resolutions (3) and impose the sanctions long threatened on those countries openly and covertly breaking the arms embargo.” 

Notes to editors 

1. UK arms licensing system ‘indefensible’ as British-linked weapons used in Sudan
2. Foreign Secretary statement on Rapid Support Forces in El Fasher – GOV.UK
3. https://docs.un.org/en/S/RES/2736(2024)  

Responding to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Green Party co-leader Mothin Ali said: 

“Sudan’s civilians are paying a horrific price for the proxy war being fought out by government forces and those of the so-called Rapid Support Forces. 

“Thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and a human–made famine is threatening the lives of many more. 

“The United Nations daily reports widespread ethnically and politically motivated killings, while those with the power to make a difference – including the UK government – stand back.   

“This horror is driven by foreign government’s fuelling the fire with the supply of weapons and logistical support as they use the civil war to try to control Sudan’s gold mines and other natural resources. 

“UK weapons have been used by the Rapid Support Forces, channelled through the United Arab Emirates, despite a supposed international arms embargo. (1) 

“Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper (2) has rightly called for a ceasefire but has stopped short of promoting the actions needed to back it up. 

“It is possible to make a difference. The UK government must support the humanitarian effort to get food and medicines into civilian areas by implementing UN resolutions (3) and impose the sanctions long threatened on those countries openly and covertly breaking the arms embargo.” 

Notes to editors 

1. UK arms licensing system ‘indefensible’ as British-linked weapons used in Sudan
2. Foreign Secretary statement on Rapid Support Forces in El Fasher – GOV.UK
3. https://docs.un.org/en/S/RES/2736(2024)  

Responding to a warning from the UN Secretary General that the world has failed to limit global heating to 1.5C and his call on global leaders to urgently change course at the forthcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns said:

“It is vital we pay heed to the warnings by the UN Secretary General on the risks posed to the world of breaking through the 1.5C limit, set by the Paris Agreement ten years ago. 

“As the birthplace of the industrial revolution, and its legacy of high carbon emissions, the UK has a special responsibility to be a global leader in the shift towards a green economy – and leading by example at home. 

“It’s welcome that the PM is attending COP 30 and Keir Starmer must use his voice to demand action that closes the global emissions gap. He must also stand firm against the reckless and dangerous attempts to undermine climate action by Reform UK and the Conservatives. True climate leadership also means resisting pressure from the fossil fuel lobby.

“COP30 is taking place against a backdrop of continued financial support from governments for the fossil fuel industry. This includes an estimated £17.5 billion every year here in the UK.

“The government must also refuse permission for the giant Rosebank oilfield, which would create more emissions than the combined annual CO2 emissions of all 28 low-income countries in the world – the very countries that are bearing the brunt of climate breakdown.”

Reacting to a new YouGov poll on voting intentions which shows the Green Party on a record 16%, just one percentage point behind Labour, co-deputy leader of the Green Party, Mothin Ali said:

“When we said we were here to replace Labour and take the fight to Reform we meant it. People are flocking to the Greens because they see we are the party pushing for bold change and are making hope normal again.

“We have now surged beyond 150,000 members – a more than 100% increase in just over a month. In the same period our poll ratings have shot up to their highest ever YouGov showing and the Green Party is now within touching distance of Labour”