I see that there is to be a party at the Palace on Friday when the King hosts a pre-COP27 meeting to … To do what exactly?
It can’t be to celebrate his not going to the COP (I note that everybody now thinks that he ought to be going) so maybe it will rehearse all those reasons why what the UK does, with its puny greenhouse gas emissions, really matters in the great game. It will likely try to add to the moral urgings that will be aimed yet again at China, India, the Saudis, Russia, etc, … who continue to resist the need for convincing action – 'all in good time' they say.
The Palace's 'operational note' says that "the reception (it's not actually a party, note) will facilitate discussion of sustainable growth, progress made since COP26 ... and collective and continued efforts to tackle climate change". It goes on: "The Prime Minister will says a few words. His majesty will then meet and hear from guests about practical measures to combat climate change and their plans for COP27 and beyond".
The great and good of 'sustainable business' (does that include Shell and BP?) and the environmental movement will be there plus some not so good. Has the Environment Agency been invited, I wonder? OfWat? OfGem? OfPut (it regulates golf), the water companies? The folk supposedly in charge of our energy policy? Probably. I guess that the list will not include XR, Just Stop Everything, Bring back the Past, Antibiotics R not us, the Wessex Anti-Fracking League, etc. I made a few of those up, but how would you know? But will the awkward squad be there: Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, and lawyerly outfits like Client Earth, etc? Will Teach the Future be there?
And will the great and good of environmental education be there? I think I know the answer to that, even though I don’t really know who they are these days ...
Respond