UK faces climate identity crisis as King Charles III, PM Sunak, and ex-PM Cameron converge at COP28
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King Charles III, PM Rishi Sunak, and former PM David Cameron will attend COP28, highlighting the UK's identity crisis on climate action. Charles has long championed climate action but is bound by convention.
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Sunak has embraced North Sea oil/gas and retreated from some net zero targets, raising questions about the UK's climate commitments.
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Charles' speech will be a major test on balancing his climate advocacy with political impartiality. Any tensions with the government will be private.
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The UK still argues for fossil fuel phase-out but Sunak's domestic policies have undermined its negotiating position and credibility.
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The UK has lost climate experts since COP26, and Sunak's team is focused on short-term politics rather than long-term climate leadership.