COP 27 Diss attendee highlights issues facing attempts to tackle climate change

A champion of businesses has accused governments of “dragging their feet to the point of inertia” in the battle to address global warming.

Hannah Wright, of Denmark Street in Diss, who is part of a team running the innovation zone at the 2022 Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt, said apathy was hindering any meaningful progress.

Speaking while attending the two-week climate summit, she said: “I truly believe the only way we will keep global warming to under two degrees is through showcasing what the private sector is doing and how governments are dragging their feet to the point of inertia.

“I’ve heard from some amazing leaders who are pushing boundaries and identifying opportunities to support environmental projects, with complete dedication.

“I’ve also learnt that governments are doing very little to support the just transition as they continue to subsidise oil companies.”

Hannah, who joined the High Street Task Force in April to help revitalise high streets while promoting greener practices, described the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees as being no longer achievable, with government apathy and a failure to prioritise the climate forming the main barrier to progress.

She added: “What is becoming abundantly clear is that, regardless of the innovative solutions that businesses are developing, the main crux is that everything is pushed by central governments.

“Progress is slow, communication is lacking and MPs need to stop hindering renewable energy projects because they are choosing their own agenda over the bigger picture.”