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General debate on the Role and the response of the devolved administrations to COP26

Summary

From 31 October to 12 November 2021, the United Kingdom will be hosting COP26, in Glasgow. The COP26 summit brings parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  

The UK is signatory and party to the UNFCCC and other international treaties, however, climate change mitigation and adaptation policy is devolved to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has highlighted that “UK climate targets cannot be met without strong policy action across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, tailored for national, regional and local needs” and that the “governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have an increasingly important role to play in tackling climate change.” 

On COP26, the Government has stated that it is “working with the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure an inclusive and ambitious summit for the whole of the UK. All parts of the UK will have important roles to play in ensuring the summit’s success.” 

A general debate on the role and response of the devolved administrations to COP26 will be held on Thursday 16 September in the Commons Chamber. The debate has been put forward by Brendan O’Hara.