London CNN —
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Wednesday he would attend next week’s COP27 climate summit in Egypt after widespread criticism of his earlier decision not to do so.
“Without action on climate change, there is no long-term prosperity. There is no energy security without investing in renewable energy,” tweeted Sunak.
“This is why I will be attending @COP27P next week: to continue Glasgow’s legacy of building a safe and sustainable future,” the post concludes.
Last week, a Downing Street spokesman said Sunak was not expected to attend the climate summit due to “other urgent commitments”, including preparations for the government’s autumn budget.
This decision was met with fierce criticism from politicians and climate protection groups. Opposition Labor Party leader Keir Starmer said on Twitter that it was “not an event to be avoided” and posted on Wednesday that “giving in to criticism is not leadership” and that the prime minister’s reversal was “political management”. be.
Ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Sky News on Tuesday he would attend COP27, adding pressure on Sunak.
Green MP and former co-leader of the party Caroline Luke tweeted: “Glad to see Sunak’s shrieking U-turn at #COP27 but what an embarrassing misstep on the world stage. Let that be a lesson for him – climate protection is important.”
Rachel Kennerley, an international climate activist with Friends of the Earth, a network of environmental organizations, said it would have been a “remarkable own goal” to miss the summit.
“It’s good that he came to his senses and decided to participate,” she said in a press release, adding that the UK government has work to do to rebuild its reputation as a climate advocate after failing last year’s campaign backed commitments made at COP26 in Glasgow this year.
“Just showing up won’t do,” Kennerley said.
During his eight days at 10 Downing Street, Sunak reversed former Prime Minister Liz Truss’ decision to lift the fracking ban. Last month, a debate over the controversial energy resource reportedly sparked physical altercations among members of her Conservative Party the day before she resigned.
Kennerley said the setback was a good start for his leadership, but that he also had to abandon plans for deep coal mining and North Sea oil and gas.
COP27 kicks off on November 6th in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh.