State of Climate and Nature - Statement

Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 8:10 pm on 21 July 2025.

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Photo of Baroness Hayman of Ullock Baroness Hayman of Ullock The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 8:10, 21 July 2025

The question of China is important, because if we are to tackle climate change globally and meet net zero, we have to look at those countries that have high emissions. Until very recently, China was very dependent on fossil fuels, but we also know that it is making moves away from that. It has been investing a lot in nuclear, for example. It is important to get this into perspective, because a huge country cannot change overnight. However, this country can provide global leadership in working with other countries as they move to the change they need to move to. I welcome that China is looking to invest in non-fossil fuels and move forwards and that it has set targets. That is very important, because it was not the case a few years ago. We need to have it within the global bubble if we are to continue to make progress.