David Lammy: Climate change a more fundamental threat than terror

Mr Lammy made his speech at Kew Gardens, in the nation’s capital, but it was clear he wanted to send a message not just to a national audience, but to a global one, that the UK would be leading on climate action internationally.

“This domestic programme is not just essential to our economy but to restoring our international credibility… we are ending our diplomacy of ‘do as I say, not as I do’,” he said.

He said he wanted the UK to help developing nations in their rollout of renewable energy, and support regions, such as the Caribbean, in recovering from the impacts of climate events.

In this vein, he announced the government would create two new special representatives for climate and nature who would provide advice and support to the government. And it would establish a global clean power alliance, in which the country could share experience and expertise from its own transition away from fossil fuels.

The move has been welcomed by international environmental groups and aid agencies.

Hannah Bond, co-CEO at ActionAid UK, said: “We are encouraged to see the new UK government take the first step in seriously addressing the urgent climate crisis impacting billions worldwide, after years of delayed promises and empty gestures.”

This summer has brought record flooding to parts of the world, as more extreme weather events like hurricanes and cyclones have battered North America and parts of South East Asia.

Storm Boris has brought havoc to Central and Eastern Europe in recent days – with dozens of people killed or missing as a result of flooding. Although it is too early to attribute this event to climate change, scientists have predicted the region will get wetter as a result of rising temperatures.