British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's important address at COP31 summit

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivered an important address at the COP31 climate summit on 12 November 2026. According to the official report from the Prime Minister's Office, this was his first COP summit in which he emphasized re-establishing British leadership. He stated that Britain has recently emerged from the most terrifying wildfire in its history, which shows that climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a present reality affecting people's lives and livelihoods.

Prime Minister Burnham clarified that two major ongoing wars in the world have caused a massive surge in fuel and gas prices, the main reason for which is the reliance on fossil fuels. As a solution to this problem, he emphasized 'electrification'. Giving three main reasons, he stated that for energy security we cannot rely on energy whose prices are not in our control. The transition towards clean energy is the only path to energy security. He informed that Britain has approved two major offshore wind projects, which will bring billions of pounds in investment and provide electricity to millions of homes. Additionally, a government-funded electric arc furnace in South Wales will protect the jobs of 5,000 steelworkers.

According to the Prime Minister, electrification will also reduce bills for ordinary people. He stated that electrification in transport, heating, and industries is the way to obtain clean and cheap energy. However, he acknowledged that this technology is still not easily accessible to people of all income levels. For this, the government is investing in innovation and subsidizing costs for the general public, but he also called upon industries to help in this green transition. Burnham emphasized that this crisis can only be solved through partnership.

Calling climate change a national security issue, the Prime Minister announced the appointment of Dame Madeleine Alessandri as the UK's first Special Representative for Climate Security. Furthermore, he announced British support for the 'Amplify' program, which aims to mobilize £5 billion in private finance for clean energy projects around the world. He added that next year when Britain assumes the G20 presidency, climate resilience along with issues like debt, development, and insurance will be kept at the top of the agenda.