A number of welcome announcements have already emerged from COP26 including on reversing deforestation and reducing methane gas emissions. However, I am concerned that we haven’t yet heard enough to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees. I would like to see world leaders go further on the phasing out of coal, getting domestic net zero targets and support for developing countries.

Before the start of the summit, I spoke in the backbench business debate on COP26 and limiting global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees. I highlighted the importance of a green recovery for the North East of England and the need for healthy seas and oceans to tackle climate change. Oceans act as a natural climate moderator, mediating temperature and driving the weather, determining rainfall, droughts, and floods. They are crucially also effective at absorbing heat and carbon dioxide.