Rishi Sunak blasted for spending more time on jet than at Cop28

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rishi Sunak was accused of “shrinking and retreating” on the climate crisis, as he was condemned for spending more time flying to Cop28 than at the summit itself. Mr Sunak told the crucial global conference that “climate politics is close to breaking point” – but also claimed he would only cut emissions in a way that “benefits the British people”. “I wouldn’t measure our impact by hours spent – I would measure it by the actual things we are doing to make a difference.” The row came as: Rishi Sunak said it was “entirely sensible” to worry about taxpayers’ money when meeting climate targets The PM was accused of a “smoke and mirrors accounting trick” over a £1.6bn pledge Keir Starmer claimed he had more requests for meetings at Cop28 than he could “possibly handle” The King warned world leaders they were “dreadfully far off track” on climate change Before flying back on Friday, Mr Sunak insisted that the UK government can still “stand tall” at Cop28 and remains a “leader” on climate change – despite his own rollback of net zero ambitions at home. But Sir Keir accused Mr Sunak of “retreating” from the climate mission and seeing it “as an unwanted obligation” – attacking the “smallness of his politics”.