British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has appointed Dame Madeline Alessandri as the country’s first special representative for climate security, in a move aimed at strengthening efforts to address the growing threats of climate change.
Burnham announced the appointment while addressing world leaders at the ongoing 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP31, in Antalya, Türkiye. He described the appointment as part of a renewed commitment to climate leadership, pledging a “new era of British leadership” over the next decade.
The prime minister reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to achieving its 2050 net-zero emissions target and supporting other countries in meeting their climate goals.
Burnham recalled that his first three weeks in office during the summer were spent responding to what he described as the worst wildfires Britain had ever experienced.
He said the experience reinforced the urgency of addressing climate change, stressing that its effects were already devastating lives and livelihoods across the world.
“The climate crisis is not a distant threat. It is upon us all now,” he said.
Burnham also highlighted the impact of global conflicts on energy prices, noting that wars across two continents had increased fuel costs and gas bills for households and businesses.
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He identified electrification as a major priority of the summit, describing the transition to clean energy as essential to strengthening energy security and protecting consumers from fluctuations in global fossil fuel prices.
According to him, the UK has approved two major offshore wind projects expected to attract billions in investment, provide electricity to millions of homes and create thousands of jobs.
He also cited a government-funded electric arc furnace project in South Wales, which he said would secure 5,000 steelworkers’ jobs, as well as Rolls-Royce’s efforts to expand small modular nuclear reactor technology internationally.
The prime minister acknowledged that Britain had not made as much progress on climate action as anticipated in the five years since COP26, adding that changing global circumstances required countries to adapt their strategies.
He said the government was investing in innovation and subsidising the initial costs of clean technologies to make electric vehicles, heat pumps and other alternatives more affordable.
However, he urged industries to support the transition by ensuring that people across different income levels could access affordable green technologies.
Burnham further announced that the UK would use its presidency of the G20 in 2027 to restore climate resilience to the group’s agenda, with particular attention to debt, development and insurance.
He also reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to protecting tropical forests and oceans, stressing the importance of preserving natural ecosystems for future generations.
NAN
