Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2022 to Question 92266 on Climate Change Convention, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of opening a new coal mine in Cumbria on the Government's priorities for COP28.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has agreed to grant planning permission for a new coking coal mine in Cumbria, The reasons for the Secretary of State’s decision are set out in full in his published letter, which takes into account matters like the demand for coal, climate change and impact on the local economy: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/called-in-decision-former-marchon-site-pow-beck-valley-and-area-from-the-former-marchon-site-to-st-bees-coast-whitehaven-cumbria-ref-3271069-7.

The UK remains committed to playing a leadership role on the global stage on tackling climate change, including through implementing its ambitious net zero commitment and NDC; both of which align with the Paris temperature goal, and in delivering the Glasgow Climate Pact to keep 1.5 in reach.