Nicola Sturgeon to attend COP27 summit as Rishi Sunak opts to remain in the UK

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to attend the COP27 summit in Egypt.

It comes after Downing Street confirmed that Rishi Sunak will not travel to Sharm El-Sheikh for the conference.

The Prime Minister was accused of a “failure of leadership” for opting to remain in the UK.

Sunak has denied the accusation, insisting it is right for him to focus on economic challenges at home.

The summit is being held between November 6 and November 18, a year on from COP26 in Glasgow.

Despite the absence of the Prime Minister, the UK Government has indicated that it remains “absolutely committed” to leading international action on climate change.

Speaking on Friday, Sunak insisted he is “committed” to tackling climate change.

“It’s important to me that as Prime Minister we leave behind an environment that is better for our children and grandchildren,” he said.

“I’m very passionate about that. I’m very personally committed to it.

“I just think, at the moment, it’s right that I’m also focusing on the depressing domestic challenges we have with the economy.

“I think that’s what people watching would reasonably expect me to be doing as well.”

A spokesman for the Scottish Government confirmed that Sturgeon will be attending the summit.

“Given the vital importance of governments working together to tackle climate change, it is the First Minister’s intention to attend COP27,” they said.

“Details of the ministerial programme are currently being finalised.”

Climate protesters on Friday marched through the centre of Glasgow to mark a year since the “failure” of the COP26 summit.

They held a rally at George Square, with speeches from community groups.

Adam Ballard, 16, who is one of the organisers behind the demonstration, said : “The climate crisis and the cost-of-living crisis have the same root – the refusal to move away from fossil fuels.

“There is no oil shortage, there is a corrupt system that prioritises profit over people.

“While ordinary people are forced to choose between heating and eating, the people in power and fossil fuel chief executives continue to make unimaginable profits.”