Pressure Mounts on Keir Starmer to Attend COP30 Climate Summit in Brazil

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing calls from international climate leaders and British politicians to attend the COP30 summit in Brazil this November, as the world prepares for a critical round of negotiations on future carbon reduction commitments.

The summit, to be held in Belém, will see countries submit updated emission-reduction plans for the next decade. UN climate chief Simon Stiell said leader participation would be crucial, stressing that “COP30 is where leaders are expected to guide the world on what next steps we take together.” Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon echoed the sentiment, warning that history would judge political leaders by their presence at such decisive moments.

Starmer has been an active participant in previous summits, joining COP29 in Azerbaijan and COP28 as opposition leader. However, reports suggest some of his advisers are urging him to skip this year’s event, fearing it could expose him to political attacks from the Reform party, which has pledged to roll back net-zero targets and dismisses climate science.

The suggestion has sparked criticism from environmental leaders and within Starmer’s own party. Former Irish president Mary Robinson emphasised that personal attendance by heads of government helps inject urgency into negotiations. Labour MP Polly Billington noted that leader-level involvement strengthens the hands of negotiators and adds weight to agreements. Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski described the idea of skipping COP30 as “a huge abdication of responsibility,” insisting that acknowledging a climate emergency requires leaders to act accordingly.

With the UK’s role in global climate diplomacy under scrutiny, observers say Starmer’s decision will be a key signal of how committed his government remains to climate leadership. Downing Street has yet to confirm whether the prime minister will travel to Brazil for the talks.