Two Department for Transport (DfT) officials, one at Grade 7 and one at Senior Executive Officer (SEO) grade, travelled to Brazil, in October 2025 at the total cost of £3201.14. They attended the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Working Group 5 on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), in their capacity as the UK’s nominated experts. The purpose of the visit was to participate in plenary discussions, which can be particularly valuable for progressing technical work, building professional relationships and enabling collaboration.

In a separate visit, a DfT official, at Grade 6, travelled to Brazil and Argentina between 22 and 26 April 2025 at the request of UK Embassies, costing £4568.37 for the combined trip. The purpose of the visit was to engage senior rail decision‑makers in Brazil, represent the UK at two exhibitions - NT Expo and Intermodal South America- and promote UK rail capability while sharing DfT policy expertise on decarbonisation, regulation and safety, supporting future commercial opportunities. During this trip the official represented DfT in Argentina, a priority market, at a UK Embassy Rail Technical Seminar, delivering a keynote address and meeting government and industry stakeholders as Argentina renews its rail network.

A third trip was supposed to take place by an official, at SEO level, but it was cancelled. The data provided included on the answer of 24 March 2026 to Question 120039, reflects scheduled flights and booking and does not reflect adjustment for flights that may have been cancelled or refunded after the initial booking.

All visits were approved by a Deputy Director (Senior Civil Servant), in accordance with departmental travel and expenses policy. The costs of the visits were met from existing departmental budgets. For all visits, the merits of conducting engagements remotely were considered, and travel was undertaken only where in‑person attendance was judged to add value. Where possible, engagements were combined within a single trip to maximise efficiency and reduce the overall need for international travel.

Further to my statement to the House on 21 May (HLWS64), I visited Kinshasa on 29 May to see first-hand how agencies on the ground are responding to the Ebola outbreak, with the support of the UK and other international partners, and to discuss that response with the Director General of the World Health Organization. We will provide further updates to Parliament in due course, as this fast-moving and deeply concerning situation continues to unfold.

HMG recognises the importance of Green Corridors in demonstrating clean maritime technologies and laying the foundation for widespread decarbonisation. We are focussed on delivering this change through the International Maritime Organization and domestic action as set out in the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy. In doing so, we expect this to incentivise and support industry to deliver Green Corridors from the UK and globally. Brazil is an important partner on climate and decarbonisation: we have several bilateral initiatives on green finance, some of which sit under the UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) programme.

Corresponding adjustments are a form of carbon accounting that stop carbon credits from being counted towards more than one target.

They are mandatory under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement when countries trade carbon credits to support achievement of national climate targets (Nationally Determined Contributions).

They are optional in other carbon markets, for example where corporates buy credits for use towards discretionary net zero targets.

In all cases, the decision to apply corresponding adjustments is a sovereign prerogative.

The UK-Brazil Joint Agricultural Committee, led by Defra, engages in discussions relating to sustainable agriculture. Recent discussions have covered topics including green fertiliser partnerships and collaboration on agricultural technologies. The UK and Brazil also have a number of bilateral initiatives on green finance, some of which sit under the UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) programme.

I do not understand the hon. Gentleman, if I am honest. The truth is that he would give up on young people. He would sell them down the river, as he would today’s generation, the future generation, and all generations to come. I do not think that is a very good platform to stand on.

In November last year, the Energy Secretary and his entourage attended COP30 in Brazil. That was an event where a rainforest was chopped down so that the Energy Secretary could talk about saving rainforests. Does he understand the hypocrisy of it all?

The UK is committed to protecting freedom of religion or belief, as guaranteed under international human rights law. During the G20 Energy and Environment Working Group in October, the Minister for Equalities met Brazilian Minister for Women Marcia Lopes to discuss challenges faced by marginalised communities. In the build-up to COP30 in November, the UK organised a visit for a group of MPs to a 'Quilombo', home to a community targeted with violence and discrimination. This and other Afro-descendant communities are supported by the Amazon Catalyst for Forest Communities (AMCAT) programme, which strengthens tenure security, territorial governance and personal protection for Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities in the Amazon Basin. The UK and Brazil remain committed to ensuring the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities are protected.

The UK is committed to supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in Brazil to prevent illegal deforestation. At COP26, we helped mobilise the Forest Tenure Pledge to advance IPLC land and resource rights and we will support its next phase at COP30. We support IPLCs across the Amazon through our Official Development Assistance (ODA) programmes and initiatives. Through the Amazon Catalyst for Forest Communities (AMCAT) programme, we are working in Brazil to strengthen land tenure for IPLCs and Afro-descendants. We also support the REDD Early Movers (REM) programme in the Brazilian States, Mato Grosso and Acre, which includes dedicated support for Indigenous Territories. Additionally, we work with the Brazilian Government through the Intergovernmental Forest Tenure Group and the Forest, Climate and Land Partnership (FCLP) to advance inclusive land tenure reforms.

The UK is committed to supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) in Brazil to prevent illegal deforestation. At COP26, we helped mobilise the Forest Tenure Pledge to advance IPLC land and resource rights and we will support its next phase at COP30. We support IPLCs across the Amazon through our Official Development Assistance (ODA) programmes and initiatives. Through the Amazon Catalyst for Forest Communities (AMCAT) programme, we are working in Brazil to strengthen land tenure for IPLCs and Afro-descendants. We also support the REDD Early Movers (REM) programme in the Brazilian States, Mato Grosso and Acre, which includes dedicated support for Indigenous Territories. Additionally, we work with the Brazilian Government through the Intergovernmental Forest Tenure Group and the Forest, Climate and Land Partnership (FCLP) to advance inclusive land tenure reforms.

The Prime Minister plans to attend COP30.

The Prime Minister plans to attend COP30.

I visited Brazil in September 2025 with the objective of strengthening our two-way trade. I signed agreements on customs, good regulatory practices and export credit aimed at tackling non-tariff barriers. I also progressed discussions on digital trade, mutual recognition arrangements and clean energy cooperation, which are referenced as non-tariff priorities for the UK’s relationship with Brazil in the UK’s new Trade Strategy. I also urged Brazil to ratify the Double Taxation Agreement.

This built on discussions that former DBT Secretary of State, The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, had with his Brazilian counterpart last year, when they both committed to identifying ways to boost two-way trade by tackling non-tariff barriers.

The UK’s new Industrial Strategy sets out ambitious plans for eight growth-driving sectors - Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, and Professional and Business Services. I am keen to integrate the Industrial Strategy with the Trade Strategy so as to build export markets for our key growing sectors.

These sectors are also the focus of my department’s work with Brazil. The Department’s new Ricardo Fund – announced in the Trade Strategy – is funding interventions on Offshore Wind and in the Life Sciences sector to help create new opportunities for UK exporters, and I signed agreements on customs and regulatory cooperation aimed at boosting UK exports on my recent visit to Brazil, where I met with several UK businesses who are keen to expand their work in the country.