Over 2,000 business leaders urge the Prime Minister for definitive climate action

A collective of over 2,000 business figures has urged PM Rishi Sunak to take decisive steps to reaffirm the UK as a climate leader at the upcoming Cop28 conference.

The group, Business Declares, delivered a petition to 10 Downing Street on Monday, pressing Mr. Sunak to enact robust measures for the UK to reclaim its leading position on global climate issues at Cop28.

The signees demand a transparent and actionable climate policy from Mr. Sunak to assure stability and confidence for UK firms.

The document, timed with a September business protest on London's Millennium Bridge for immediate climate action, seeks the PM's attention before the UN climate summit in Dubai.

Highlighting the UK's historic stance on countering climate change, including hosting COP26 and declaring a climate emergency, the letter states that sustainable business is not only socially responsible but also profitable. It calls on the government for a precise vision, policy clarity, and a transition roadmap.

Endorsers such as MP Chris Skidmore, ex-Unilever CEO Paul Polman, environmentalist Chris Packham, and investor Deborah Meaden urge increased investment in renewables, nature protection and restoration plans, regulatory enforcement, and a halt to new fossil fuel activities in the UK.

Zoe Ruthven from Triodos Bank UK emphasizes the critical timeframe for addressing climate and ecological crises, while Nick Martell-Bundock of Cafe Direct Ltd highlights the urgency for government leadership for equitable climate obligations.

Responding, a spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero affirmed the UK's leadership in clean energy, citing £200 billion in eco-friendly investments since 2010 and future plans supporting jobs and renewable energy at the Cop28 event.