UK PM Burnham addresses climate summit as drilling approval draws criticism

World leaders are converging on COP31 as the UK prime minister faces immediate pushback over approving new North Sea gas drilling, illustrating the tension between stated climate commitments and continued fossil fuel development.

First covered Nov 12, 2026 · 12:33 AM PT · 1 article

UK PM Burnham addresses climate summit as drilling approval draws criticism — Image via theguardian.com

Coverage

4h Guardian Environment Cop31: ‘The crisis is upon us now’, Burnham tells climate summit — World leaders including UK prime minister Andy Burnham are addressing the summit today, as talks head into the third day Zack Polanski , leader of the Green…

Related coverage

4h Climate Home News COP31 Bulletin Day 4: Burnham speaks with UK climate policy under fire

1d Guardian Environment Burnham lauds £12bn offshore wind investment as he prepares for climate summit

More coverage from around the web

novaramedia.com Burnham Approves New North Sea Gas Drilling in ‘Act of Climate Vandalism’

huffingtonpost.co.uk Andy Burnham Approves North Sea Gas Drilling. Here's Why That Matters

byteseu.com Burnham’s North Sea drilling dilemma risks U.K. climate leadership - Bytes Europe

pbs.org britain approves new north sea oil drilling but ignores climate change warnings

marketbeat.com Free Trial

Appeared in: 2026-11-12 (#4)

← Back to the brief