COP26 President welcomes Spain’s commitment to the fight against climate change
Alok Sharma visits Spain to discuss cooperation on climate change ahead of COP26
- Alok Sharma, COP26 President-Designate meets with Spanish PM and Cabinet members
- The UK and Spain cement their strong relationship on climate issues
- Hosts business roundtable to focus on action on climate change and economic growth
In his first visit to Spain as COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma congratulated Prime Minister Sanchez for his government’s continuing strong focus on climate change.
Mr Sharma held high-level discussions with PM Pedro Sanchez, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Nadia Calviño, and Fourth Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Ecological Transition Teresa Ribera. The meetings covered a wide range of issues including climate finance, adaptation, ensuring just energy and transport transitions, and the importance of international cooperation to making COP26 a success.
Following their meeting, the COP26 President and Minister Ribera issued a joint statement, committing to closely cooperate and lead by example through their own socially just energy and ecological transitions, and to encourage increased climate ambition, especially from the world’s major economies, ahead of COP26.
While in Madrid, Mr Sharma hosted a roundtable with Spanish companies which are showing leadership in green, low carbon growth, to discuss how to unlock further climate ambition within the business sector, including by joining the United Nations’ Race to Zero campaign.
He also met with representatives of civil society and NGOs to talk about their priorities for the COP26 agenda and to hear their perspectives on climate action in Spain and further afield.
Following its last-minute hosting of COP25, Spain has shown continued leadership on climate change, reaching a world-first agreement on the just transition away from coal, and with a climate law awaiting final approval, committing to 74% renewable power generation by 2030 and 100% zero emissions new vehicle sales by 2040.
Speaking after the visit, Mr Sharma said:
“With its experience of hosting COP25, and keen commitment to addressing climate change, Spain is a key partner on the road to Glasgow. As we enter the critical 6 months before world leaders come together for COP26, I welcome the constructive discussions I have had with Prime Minister Sanchez and colleagues today. I look forward to continued close collaboration to raise international climate ambition at this pivotal moment for our planet.”
Ends.