UK experts issue urgent call to MPs ahead of next week’s National Emergency Briefing on the climate crisis, which is set to deliver stark warnings and science-based solutions
More than 1,000 of the UK’s leading scientists wrote to MPs this morning, 20 November, urging them to attend a landmark climate briefing in Westminster next week.
The first-of-its-kind National Emergency Briefing will take place in Westminster Central Hall on Thursday 27 November, on the same day COP30 concludes in Brazil. Eight specialists will deliver a 10-minute briefing on the most current information regarding Britain’s nature crisis, climate and energy resiliency, weather extremes, tipping points, food security, national security in the face of climate change, health impacts from climate change, and the economics of the climate crisis.
While more than 120 MPs and Peers have confirmed they are attending the summit so far, many more have not (find out whether your local MP is attending).
Enjoying this article? Check out our related reads:
The National Emergency Briefing takes place amid low confidence that this year’s COP30 will deliver meaningful action, with many commentators criticising the lack of international consensus and coordinated action on climate change. Signatories of the letter sent this morning warn MPs that without ‘urgent and decisive action’ the UK risks being overwhelmed by the consequences of climate breakdown.
Britain is facing a national climate and nature emergency … The harmful consequences of environmental breakdown are not distant or confined to other nations. They are here now in floods and heatwaves, in rising food and energy bills, and in threats to public health … As scientists, we are duty-bound to speak plainly about the dangers that lie ahead. We urge all our elected representatives to take responsibility for being fully informed and to join this critical National Emergency Briefing on 27 November.
The letter is supported by a broad coalition of signatories, including Professor Sir David King, Chair of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group, Sir Jim Smith, Chair of the Zoological Society of London, and Dr Fiona Godlee, former editor-in-chief of the British Medical Journal, alongside other authorities in climate science, hydrology, global health, glaciology, oceanology, and earth systems.
Experts at the National Emergency Briefing are expected to deliver a stark warning to attendees: current crises – including floods, heatwaves, and rising food and energy bills – will worsen without concerted action from ministers. The briefing will also outline actionable, science-based pathways forwards.
