At the COP30 summit in Belem, Brazil, Sir Keir Starmer affirmed Labour’s unwavering commitment to achieving Net Zero, despite acknowledging the diminishing consensus on climate change within the UK.

Addressing the international forum, the Prime Minister pledged that his administration would intensify efforts towards climate goals, emphasizing the UK’s dedication to environmental sustainability.

Starmer argued that failing to act would exacerbate issues such as rising energy costs and security concerns, as he laid out the economic rationale behind Labour’s environmental strategies.

This year’s COP summit has faced scrutiny, with notable absences including US President Donald Trump as well as the leaders of China and India, casting doubts on its significance.

Critics, particularly from the Conservative party, have criticized Starmer’s extensive 12,000-mile journey to the Amazon, accusing him of delivering eco-centric lectures while contributing to emissions.

The Prime Minister’s participation at the summit nearly took a turn for the worse when he stumbled at the top of the stairs upon disembarking his plane on Thursday.

But Sir Keir averted a major mishap and managed to regain his balance as he and the Prince of Wales disembarked together.

In his own address to the COP summit, William said taking action on climate change offers ‘a profound opportunity’.

Sir Keir Starmer’s attendance at the COP30 summit almost ended in immediate disaster on Thursday when he stumbled on the top step of the stairs leading off his plane

In a speech to the global gathering in Belem, Brazil, the Prime Minister vowed the UK under his Labour Government would be ‘doubling down’ on its climate commitments

Sir Keir shook hands with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the Prince of Wales at the global gathering

Sir Keir used his COP speech to highlight the hurricane that recently brought mass destruction to the Caribbean.

‘Just look at the tragic destruction brought by hurricane Melissa: Lives lost, homes, livelihoods, entire communities destroyed, islands just trapped in its devastating path,’ he said.

‘So, we say today to our friends in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, we stand with you.

‘But, look, there is a better path for all of us. We can choose to rise to this moment and to recognise that this is not just a problem to be solved, but also an immense opportunity to be seized.

‘So, the UK is doubling down on the fight against climate change as an investment in future generations, yes, of course, but also, crucially, as an investment in improving the lives of working people here and now.’

The PM echoed the Prince of Wales’s earlier address by saying that inspiration should be taken from COP30’s ‘iconic setting’ at the heart of the Amazon.

He said: ‘The Amazon rainforest helps to regulate the climate for every person on earth and it reminds us that this is a truly collective endeavour.

‘So, as His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales said just a moment ago, let’s be inspired by this setting and let’s rise to meet this moment together.’

Sir Keir vowed the ‘UK is all in’ on Net Zero, despite admitting the political consensus on climate action is ‘gone’ in Britain.

The PM added: ‘From revitalising our coastal communities to firing up our industrial heartlands, our clean energy revolution is powering millions of homes, securing thousands of skilled jobs and delivering energy security and national renewal.

‘And, look, this is how we will win in the new era, by driving forward together. And we want you to join us to amplify our progress at home and around the world.’

He added: ‘The greater our collective ambition, the more progress we make in tackling the climate crisis, and the greater opportunities that we create.

‘For example, just for UK businesses providing goods and services for global net zero transition could be worth £1trillion by 2030.

‘So, look, my message is that the UK is all in because we know you don’t protect jobs and communities by sticking with the status quo, you don’t meet a challenge like climate change by standing still.

‘You do it by embracing change, embracing the opportunities and doing it together.’

Sir Keir last night enjoyed a black tie bash after making the journey to Brazil.

Labour’s London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin have also made the long trip to attend the annual talking shop.

The PM is accompanied by a large Government delegation, but officials would not say how many civil servants were attending.

Sir Keir and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband enjoyed a black tie bash last night after making the emissions-heavy 12,000-mile round trip to the Amazon to reiterate his commitment to Net Zero

Sir Keir and former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern at the Earthshot prize ceremony last night 

Sir Keir was at Prince William’s Earthshot awards in the Brazilian city overnight – having missed a potentially awkward PMQs session in the House of Commons

London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has been posting pictures of himself chatting with international colleagues against the exotic Rio backdrop

Sir Keir was at Prince William’s Earthshot awards in the Brazilian city overnight – having missed a potentially awkward PMQs session in the House of Commons.

The premier has enraged some climate campaigners by signalling that Britain will not contribute directly to a rainforest protection fund. 

Before arriving, Sir Keir said: ‘It’s full speed ahead in our mission to bring about the clean power revolution – delivering energy security, getting bills down for good and generating growth in communities across the UK.

‘I won’t let down future generations. At COP30 I will continue to show UK leadership on the world stage… to stand up for our values and our future.’

Sir Sadiq and Ms Brabin travelled to Rio de Janeiro for the C40 World Mayors Summit, with voters on social media questioning why they were trying to save the climate by ‘flying 5,000 miles’ and asking why they couldn’t have joined the meeting virtually.

The London mayor has been posting pictures of himself chatting with international colleagues against the exotic Rio backdrop.   

While the Tories have said they will bin climate change laws, and Reform UK has vowed to axe all Net Zero policies, a defiant Sir Keir said he had not changed his mind on his clean energy ambitions.

Earlier this week, Sir Keir acknowledged that the summit would be a ‘challenge’ as many world leaders, including the USA and China, abandon climate change goals.

Speaking to sixth-form pupils in Downing Street, he said: ‘I’ve thought climate change has been our biggest challenge as a species for a very long number of years.

‘I haven’t changed my mind because some other people have changed their minds. It’s very important we go and we show that leadership.’

Sir Sadiq (pictured right with his Rio counterpart) has also made the long trip to attend the annual talking shop

He said his delegation will travel to COP30 with young people ‘first and foremost in our minds’.

But Tory energy spokesman Claire Coutinho said Energy Secretary Ed Miliband’s policies were putting off other countries rather than encouraging them.

‘Countries aren’t persuaded by Keir Starmer and Ed Miliband flying halfway around the world to give them moral lectures – they are persuaded by prosperity,’ she said.

‘Ed Miliband’s mad energy policies are locking Britain into sky-high energy bills for decades and destroying economic growth.

‘He is making us a warning, not an example, to the rest of the world.’