Institute’s president says change “starts at the top” following PM’s decision last week not to attend UN summit

Sunak flickr nov

Source: Flickr

Sunak said last week he would not attend the COP summit so he could focus on tackling the UK’s domestic economic crisis

RIBA has added to industry calls for Rishi Sunak to attend this year’s United Nations COP climate summit.

Simon Allford, president of RIBA, said it was crucial that the UK government demonstrates that creating a more sustainable future is at the top of its agenda.

Yesterday, several built environment figures including Construction Industry Council chief executive Graham Watts said Sunak should go to the conference next week in Sharm El Sheik, Egypt.

Sunak has been reported to be considering attending after saying on Thursday that he would not go to focus on addressing the domestic economic crisis.

Simon Allford

Source: Jean Goldsmith

RIBA president Simon Allford

The initial decision was criticised by former cabinet minister Alok Sharma, who is the UK’s COP26 president, and because the UK is the current holder of the COP presidency having hosted the summit in Glasgow last year.

Allford said: “Addressing the climate emergency is one of the biggest challenges facing the planet and thus our profession. Change starts at the top – and global leadership is vital. 

“I am therefore encouraged by the news that the new PM, who faces many challenges, is reconsidering his decision to join other world leaders at COP27. 

“It’s crucial that the UK Government demonstrates that creating a more sustainable future, for all, is at the top of its agenda.”

Yesterday, Watts said the UK appeared to be sidelining the conference in what would be a “dreadful example of short-sightedness.”

London Eye architect Julia Barfield added that Sunak’s previous decision not to go had been a “huge foreign policy failure” and the fact that he now appeared to have changed his mind under pressure “does not bode well”.

The conference will run from 6 to 18 November and is expected to focus on reducing emissions, helping countries prepare for and deal with climate change, and securing technical support for developing countries.

Last year’s summit in Glasgow secured a major agreement on accelerating the phase out of fossil fuel subsidies and phasing down the use of coal.

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