Guernsey’s Minister with responsibility for External Relations, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, today attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland.
As part of his programme of events at COP26, Deputy Le Tocq, along with counterparts from Jersey and the Isle of Man, met with the Rt. Hon Greg Hands MP, the recently-appointed Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), to discuss the extension of the Paris Agreement.
During that meeting, the UK and Guernsey announced that they had reached an agreement in principle to extend the UK’s ratification of the Paris Agreement to Guernsey.
The agreement in principle to extend the Paris Agreement follows detailed discussions between officials from Guernsey and the UK Government regarding the terms of extension and the ongoing compliance with the obligations under the UK’s participation of the Paris Agreement, and it will be subject to a formal extension request from Guernsey in line with domestic constitutional requirements.
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, Minister with responsibility for External Relations, said: “I was very pleased to attend and represent Guernsey internationally at COP26 today. COP26 provides an important platform for Government officials, policy officials, industry representatives and the global community to come together to redouble efforts and make meaningful commitments to tackle climate change. The clear message from COP26 is that we are at a turning point for all governments around the world as we see the pace of development and commitments accelerate to ensure that global climate targets are met.”
“One of the key elements of the Government Work Plan is to secure extension of the Paris Agreement on climate change. I welcome the announcement that we have reached an agreement in principle to extend the agreement to Guernsey. This is exciting news and it demonstrates that our policies in relation to climate change, which will be fundamental in shaping the future of Guernsey, are aligned to international standards.”
“Guernsey is only small, but it too has its part to play in managing climate change, through its domestic actions and through the business we conduct internationally. It was good to see Guernsey Finance having a strong presence at the conference. The global leadership we have in supporting Green Finance right down to the fact we have one of the highest recycling rates in the world demonstrates that we have the drive and ingenuity to deliver our commitment towards net zero.”
The main picture shows:
- Senator Ian Gorst, Minister for External Relations and Financial Services, Jersey
- Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, Minister with responsibility for External Relations, Guernsey
- Rt Hon Greg Hands MP Minister of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, UK Government
- Daphne Caine, Member of the House of Keys (MHK) and Chair of the Climate Change Transformation Team Board, Isle of Man
