Events

A Climate of Politics Special Event: 'Getting the US on board' with Rt Hon Greg Barker MP

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17 June 2010

As part of our major ongoing season of events on the politics of climate change, the Rt Hon Greg Barker MP, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, delivered a keynote speech at the ippr on the new UK government's approach to climate change internationally and in particular towards the United States.

Listen to a podcast of this event here

Greg Barker outlines the coalition government's approach to global climate change

Hot on the heels of President Obama's prime time address from the oval office, in which he outlined the US's ambitions on clean energy, Mr Barker said that the US will need to show strong commitment to deliver action on climate change if an international agreement is to be reached within the next two years.

In the run up to Cancun and onwards to South Africa, the Minister argued that all countries need to show clear and tangible results 'in deeds and not just words' of steps towards building a prosperous and competetive global low-carbon economy and that the US 'must be made to realise that the longer they delay, the greater the long term economic disadvantage that their economy faces.'

Mr Barker stressed that the UK must continue to be a 'candid friend' and 'leverage our special relationship' to encourage the US to go 'further and faster' to reduce runaway carbon emissions. He also said that the Conservatives need to do more to engage with moderate Republicans who must be brought across the line if a climate bill is passed.

Joining Mr Barker in the discussion were Michael Schellenberger, President and co-founder of the Breakthrough Institute; Andrew Light, Senior Fellow at Center for American Progress; and Alex Evans, Non-Resident Fellow at Center for International Cooperation, New York University. The event was chaired by Matthew Lockwood, Associate Director and Head of Climate and Energy Policy, ippr (chair)

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