Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the UN COP31 summit in Antalya, Turkey, on Thursday, November 12, 2026, describing the climate crisis as a "national security issue." During his first appearance at the annual conference as prime minister, Mr. Burnham affirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to reaching its 2050 net-zero target. He linked the necessity of a transition away from fossil fuels to global fuel price increases and gas bill spikes caused by international conflicts.
To support this strategy, the prime minister appointed Dame Madeleine Alessandri, chairwoman of the Joint Intelligence Committee, as a new climate security envoy. Dame Madeleine is tasked with identifying climate risks as national security matters and strengthening international climate partnerships. Mr. Burnham was reported to be the only G7 leader addressing the summit, as U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not attend.
The speech drew criticism from environmental groups and political opponents who cited a discrepancy between the prime minister's rhetoric and his government's recent domestic policies. Greenpeace and Zero Hour pointed to the potential approval of the Rosebank oil field and reports that the government may reduce electric vehicle (EV) sales targets. Green Party leader Zack Polanski alleged that the government had recently reduced funding for household heat pump installations and noted the approval of the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea.
The scale of the environmental impact is tied to the approval of major fossil fuel projects like the Jackdaw gas field and the pending decision on Rosebank, which campaigners describe as a significant expansion of North Sea drilling. For the average household, these policies intersect with energy costs, which Mr. Burnham noted have already risen due to dependence on fossil fuels and conflict in Iran. The recent reduction in funding for heat pump installations further changes the financial calculations for homeowners attempting to transition away from gas boilers.
What happens next depends on several pending government decisions and international developments. The prime minister’s climate envoy will begin identifying risks immediately, but the administration must still finalize its stance on the Rosebank oil field and the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. Critics like Friends of the Earth chief executive Asad Rehman have identified a third runway at Heathrow as another key policy test. Specific dates for these regulatory decisions were not reported, but campaigners indicated they expect clarity in the coming weeks and months.