Ukraine a reason to act fast on climate change - Rishi Sunak

COLOMBO (News 1st) - UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says that the Ukraine and Russia wars have been a reason to act faster to tackle climate change.

He told this during the UN climate summit COP27.

"Climate and energy security go hand-in-hand," he said in his first international appearance since taking office.

"Putin's abhorrent war in Ukraine and rising energy prices across the world are not a reason to go slow on climate change. They are a reason to act faster," Sunak said.

In a series of speeches, leaders urged rich countries to stay the course in stopping further climate change, despite the war in Ukraine and global financial problems.

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also in Egypt and said countries should not "go weak and wobbly" on climate action.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said switching to renewable energy was "a security policy imperative", while Italy's new prime minister Giorgia Meloni said her country remained "strongly committed" to its climate goals.

US President Joe Biden is due to arrive at the summit on Friday, while John Kerry, his special envoy for the climate, is already in attendance.

Source: BBC