argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Tackling Climate Change: International Ambition — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman but, of course, all countries need to make much more progress when it comes to ambitious, nationally determined contributions to the 2030 near-term emission reduction targets. I have spoken with large economies around the world. As he knows, I met Prime Minister Modi a few weeks ago and, of course, we are working on a number of initiatives with the Indian Government. When the Prime Minister goes to India, I am sure there will be further announcements.
Virtual Participation in COP26 — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: International Affairs
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): We are working very hard to ensure that we deliver an in-person COP that allows all countries to participate on an equal footing. That is incredibly important, as many parties feel strongly that negotiations must be in person. We continue to explore how technology and other innovations can make the summit more resilient, safe and inclusive.
Virtual Participation in COP26 — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: International Affairs
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. I have said on a number of occasions that I want this to be the most inclusive COP ever. Absolutely, we are looking at how we can expand our digital programmes to allow for more virtualisation. I hope that, at the appropriate time, I will be able to update the House further.
Virtual Participation in COP26 — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Gentleman, again, raises an important point. He will have seen the letter I wrote to UNFCCC members on the progress we want to make over the coming months. COP26 has already been postponed by one year, and the urgency of the climate crisis has not abated. I do not sense any desire among parties for a further postponement, and we are working very hard to ensure that we have an in-person, physical COP, taking into account, of course, any covid-related contingencies.
UN Sustainable Development Goals — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Anne-Marie Belinda Trevelyan (Conservative, Centre-right): Thank you, Mr Speaker. That is a new title. I was happy with international champion, but I am sure vice-president is acceptable, too The actions we are taking to tackle climate change support the delivery of a range of UN sustainable development goals. Through the Together for Our Planet campaign and Race to Zero, we are encouraging towns, cities and communities to drive climate action at a local level. This is supported by the COP26 UK mayors and regions advisory council, which includes West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Kirklees Council, and it has set itself an ambitious target of being net zero by 2038.
UN Sustainable Development Goals — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Anne-Marie Belinda Trevelyan (Conservative, Centre-right): It is important that we encourage and, indeed, provide the tools—and the Together for Our Planet campaign is one of those tools—to help our constituents, our towns and our cities to understand and take charge for themselves of the impact they can have in helping to meet our Paris agreement challenge. That involves everything from household choices through to changes in how we run our buses and trains. Every council and every community has a role to play.
Green Investment and Public Transport — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Transportation
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I will ensure that the hon. Lady’s specific point is taken up with my right hon. Friend the Transport Secretary. She will know that, last month, the Transport Secretary launched a multimillion-pound scheme to enable local authorities to roll out zero-emission buses. This funding will deliver 500 zero-emission buses, supporting the Government’s wider commitment to introduce 4,000 such vehicles.
Green Investment and Public Transport — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I say to the hon. Lady that the role of the COP presidency is to ensure that we are working with all 197 parties to ensure that we are making progress on keeping the 1.5° C limit within reach. The UK, like any other country, needs to see what more we can do. I hope that she will acknowledge that we are seen as a leader in the world and that, since 2010, we have decarbonised our economy faster than any other G20 nation.
Biodiversity Loss and Climate Action — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Anne-Marie Belinda Trevelyan (Conservative, Centre-right): Climate change and biodiversity loss are inextricably linked, which is why the UK has made nature a core priority of our COP26 presidency. We pioneered and launched the leaders’ pledge for nature in September last year, and we are also driving global action to protect and restore critical ecosystems such as forests and accelerating our transition towards sustainable agriculture while mobilising the finance to support this.
Biodiversity Loss and Climate Action — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Anne-Marie Belinda Trevelyan (Conservative, Centre-right): The Prime Minister and President Xi have agreed that the UK and China should work together, as respective hosts of the United Nations framework convention on climate change COP26 and the convention on biological diversity COP15, to reinforce and amplify those linkages between climate change and biodiversity loss and to achieve mutually supportive and ambitious outcomes at both summits. We are working closely with our Chinese counterparts and with the UN secretariat of the UNFCCC, the CBD and the United Nations convention to combat desertification to strengthen the links between these conventions to deliver the best outcomes for nature.
Highest-Emitting Countries: Policy Objectives — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: International Affairs
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I have so far engaged with Ministers and negotiators from more than 80 countries and briefed all parties to the UN on a number of occasions. This, of course, includes discussions with representatives of countries, including China, the US, the EU and India.
Highest-Emitting Countries: Policy Objectives — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Energy
Virginia Ann Crosbie (Conservative, Centre-right): In the light of Germany’s coal phase-out Act, which states that it will not end the use of coal-powered energy until 2038, how does the Minister intend to use COP26 to promote nuclear power, particularly at key UK sites such as Wylfa Newydd on Anglesey, in order to meet the UK’s net zero targets?
Highest-Emitting Countries: Policy Objectives — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Energy
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is a consistent and strong champion of both the nuclear sector and the Wylfa site in her constituency, and I commend her zeal. As I have said to her previously, nuclear power clearly has a role to play in our clean energy mix as we work towards net zero emissions by 2050. She will know that, in the 10-point plan that the Prime Minister set out, we are backing large nuclear as well as small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors.
Business Consultation — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I have engaged with hundreds of global and UK businesses through a combination of speaking at high-profiles events and bilateral meetings, and my COP26 business leaders advisory group. Businesses have a key role to play in tackling climate change, and I encourage them all to sign up to the Race to Zero campaign.
Business Consultation — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Energy
Mark Peter Fletcher (Conservative, Centre-right): Derbyshire County Council recently launched a £2 million green entrepreneurs fund for businesses that are interested in green energy and carbon reduction. Does my right hon. Friend agree that this is an excellent example of local government and businesses working together, and will he share my praise for county council leader Barry Lewis and his visionary leadership on this issue?
Business Consultation — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I commend both my hon. Friend and the leader of Derbyshire County Council, Barry Lewis, for championing this excellent initiative. This is precisely the type of scheme we want to see—supporting businesses, growth and jobs while cutting emissions.
Civil Society and Youth Groups: Consultation — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: International Affairs
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I want COP26 to be the most inclusive ever. The voices of young people are vital to this process. That is why I have set up an international COP26 Civil Society and Youth Advisory Council, allowing for a regular dialogue with youth activists, NGOs, indigenous people and faith groups as we plan for COP26.
Civil Society and Youth Groups: Consultation — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
David Mervyn Johnston (Conservative, Centre-right): I have a pile of letters on my desk from children at GEMS Didcot Primary Academy and John Blandy Primary School, who have written to tell me what they have learned about climate change and what positive changes they saw in the environment during lockdown, and to give me their ideas of things they think the Government should be doing. Will my right hon. Friend tell me how children and young people will be able to feed into the preparations for COP26?
Civil Society and Youth Groups: Consultation — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for championing the views of young people in his constituency. I pay tribute to the pupils of John Blandy and GEMS Didcot primary schools for their enthusiasm for climate action. I will be delighted to receive their letters and review their ideas; and, through him, I will respond in writing to his constituents.
Civil Society and Youth Groups: Consultation — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Laura Rose Farris (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend and I both have the privilege of representing seats in Berkshire, where many young people are passionate about climate change and are active in local groups such as the West Berkshire Climate Action Network. This is their first real opportunity to see UK leadership in action. Will my right hon. Friend confirm how those young people can access the youth council that he just described and other mechanisms to feed their ideas into the COP later this year?
Civil Society and Youth Groups: Consultation — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I thank my hon. Friend for the work that she does to promote climate action. I would be very happy to hear from young people and youth groups in her constituency. We will be engaging further with schools in relation to COP26 to unleash the enthusiasm and energy of young people across the UK and tackle climate change.
Civil Society and Youth Groups: Consultation — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Suzanne Webb (Conservative, Centre-right): We all have a stake in protecting our climate, particularly young adults in my constituency, who I hope will be the pioneers of change. As part of the UK-Italy COP26 partnership, what are the plans for the "Youth4Climate: Driving Ambition 2021" event to be held in Milan in September?
Civil Society and Youth Groups: Consultation — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): From 28 to 30 September, the Youth4Climate event will bring together 400 youth delegates from across the globe to discuss topics under a range of thematic areas. The event will culminate in a declaration and discussion between the youth delegates and Ministers attending the pre-COP26 event.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): If we are to protect our planet from the ravages of climate change, we must support developing countries to respond, but without adequate finance the task ahead is well nigh impossible. That is why on 31 March, the UK presidency convened around 50 developing and donor countries and multilateral institutions to consider how we can get more—and more timely—public finance flowing into climate action. I am pleased that we have secured a range of commitments from the likes of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and donor countries to move this vital work forward. It is our moral duty to protect the most vulnerable communities from a climate crisis that they have not caused.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): The hon. Lady raises a number of points. In previous answers I have set out the ambition that the UK has and the progress that we have made. Specifically with regard to oil and gas licensing, the UK Government will introduce a new climate compatibility checkpoint before each future oil and gas licensing round to ensure that licences awarded are aligned with wider climate objectives, including net zero emissions by 2050.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Cherilyn Mackrory (Conservative, Centre-right): Surfers Against Sewage in my constituency are ardent environmental campaigners, particularly on plastic pollution and water quality, and our environment is all the better for their work. The Government have a key role to play on protecting the environment, so can my right hon. Friend assure me that when the world gathers for COP26 in November, protecting and enhancing the environment, particularly for the people of Cornwall, will be at the very top of the agenda?
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Anne-Marie Belinda Trevelyan (Conservative, Centre-right): The COP26 nature campaign is driving ambitious international and domestic action to protect and enhance our environment, and this will be a high priority at COP26 in November. I commend the work that Surfers Against Sewage are doing on water pollution and water quality, which I hope to see first-hand when I visit Cornwall as part of the G7 summit in June. Protecting the ocean, including through nature-based solutions, provides multiple vital climate change adaptation and resilience benefits.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Gentleman knows that we agree on many of these issues on tackling climate change, but when it comes to Government money, we have also ensured that we leverage in private sector money. It is not just about Government money; it is also about leveraging in private sector money. Ultimately, this is about not just cutting emissions but creating jobs for constituents across the UK.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Energy
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Gentleman himself is obviously a very good dancer and therefore unlikely to take part in dad dancing; we should try it together at some point Of course every country, including the UK, needs to make more progress on cutting emissions. The right hon. Gentleman makes particular reference to coal. He will know that our energy mix with regard to coal has gone from 40% in 2012 to less than 2% last year, and we have been leading the Powering Past Coal Alliance, to which a large number of countries have now signed up. So we are making progress; of course, there is more that we can do.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Anne-Marie Belinda Trevelyan (Conservative, Centre-right): We are working closely at many levels with international partners on preparations for COP26 and to accelerate climate ambitions. The COP26 President-designate has met large numbers of Governments. He is already out and about visiting many countries—15 in the past few weeks—and briefing UN member states on a regular basis. I am working with the most vulnerable countries to make sure that they are supported in their ambitions to meet their resilience challenges.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Energy
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the 10-point plan, which sets out clearly the progress that we want to make on decarbonising buildings and homes, and heat pumps will of course play a part. We have also set out there our plans on the use of hydrogen for home heating.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Gagan Mohindra (Conservative, Centre-right): Dame Cheryl represented her constituents with considerable effectiveness for nearly 29 years and is already sorely missed in this place, especially by many of the newer Members, as she was so kind to us in our first months in Westminster. One of her passions was the protection of chalk streams, in particular the River Chess, which passes through my constituency of South West Hertfordshire. Many MPs are increasingly concerned about reports of partially treated sewage being released into our rivers, with knock-on health impacts for both humans and animals. Can my right hon. Friend reassure the House that this Government will actively protect our rivers and streams?
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Environment
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is entirely right to raise the concern we fully share about sewage overflow into rivers such as the Chess. That is why we have set up the storm overflows taskforce to address the matter, working with the water industry, regulators and environmental groups. Last month, we announced plans for legislation to address that very issue.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Government Operations
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I join the right hon. and learned Gentleman in what he said about Ian Gibson I share the widespread concern about some of the stuff we are reading at the moment, and I know that the Cabinet Secretary shares my concern as well. I do think it is a good idea in principle that top civil servants should be able to engage with business and should have experience of the private sector. When I look at the accounts I am reading today, it is not clear that those boundaries have been properly understood. I have asked for a proper independent review of the arrangements that we have, to be conducted by Nigel Boardman, and he will be reporting in June. If the right hon. and learned Gentleman has any representations he wishes to make on the subject, he should do so to Mr Boardman.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Government Operations
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): This is a Government and a party that have been consistently tough on lobbying. Indeed, we introduced legislation saying that there should be no taxpayer-funded lobbying and that quangos should not be used to get involved with lobbying. We put in a register for lobbyists. There is one party that voted to repeal the 2014 lobbying Act, and that was the Labour party in its historic 2019 election manifesto, which the right hon. and learned Gentleman has yet to repudiate. It did so because it thought the Act was unfair and restricted people’s ability to make representations to politicians. I think that that is absurd. Will he now say that it is absurd to repeal the 2014 lobbying Act?
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Government Operations
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): If the right hon. and learned Gentleman has any such information, he should of course make it available to Mr Boardman; that is the point of his review. It is an independent review. It will be coming to me by June, and it will be laid in the Library of the House of Commons The right hon. and learned Gentleman talks about lobbying. He is being advised by Lord Mandelson of Global Counsel. Perhaps in the interests of full transparency, so that we can know where he is coming from, Lord Mandelson could be encouraged to disclose his other clients.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Government Operations
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I think the right hon. and learned Gentleman would have been better off supporting the lobbying Act and the Labour party would have been better off not campaigning to get rid of it. It toughens up our laws, and I think that his own proposal is simply to have, yet again, politicians marking their own homework. What the country wants—[Interruption.] That is what it is—a Committee of MPs to look at it. It will not do a blind bit of good. That is why we are having a proper, independent review. If the right hon. and learned Gentleman has any representations or allegations to make about what has taken place, he should make them to the eminent lawyer who has been asked to do this, who will be reporting to us by June.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Law and Crime
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): That is why we are putting in an independent review. That is why we have tougher laws on lobbying—a great shame that Labour opposes them. Yes, we are getting on with rooting out bent coppers. We are also appointing and hiring thousands more police officers. We are fighting crime. We are fighting crime on the streets of our cities while the Opposition oppose the police and crime Bill, which would put in tougher sentences for serious sexual and violent offenders—absolutely—and they then encouraged people who went out and demonstrated to "Kill the Bill". We are getting on with protecting the public. That is absolutely correct. We are getting on with protecting the public of this country from crime of all kinds. We are getting on with the job of running this country, of rolling out a vaccination programme—
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Transportation
David Ian Jones (Conservative, Centre-right): The A55 expressway is of huge importance to north Wales, linking the region to the main motorway network. It is also, as was noted in the recent interim report on the Union connectivity review, the principal freight artery for the port of Holyhead. The road is in desperate need of improvement, and has been for many years, so will my right hon. Friend confirm that the Government will make it a priority to use their powers under the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 to upgrade the road for the benefit of the people of north Wales?
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Transportation
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): My right hon. Friend is completely right. Sir Peter Hendy has rightly identified the potential of the A55, and the best thing the people of Wales can do to guarantee these vital upgrades is elect a Welsh Conservative Government on 6 May.
Engagements — House of Commons, 2021-04-14
Topic: Transportation
James Michael Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): The interim findings of Sir Peter Hendy’s Union connectivity review are very much to be welcomed. He highlights the improvements that need to be made to the railways in north Wales, linking up with Merseyside and Manchester, as well as the A55. Those improvements, of course, can help to level up the region. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the projects in north Wales identified in Sir Peter Hendy’s work will receive a fair chunk of the £20 million of development funding as part of the agenda, and will he commit to implementing the findings of Sir Peter Hendy’s final report when it is released in the summer?