The G7 summit in Cornwall will be carbon neutral

The UK Government has confirmed that the G7 Summit in Cornwall will go ‘green’ this year, meeting the internationally recognized quality standard for sustainable event management.

The announcement follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s pledge in a speech earlier this month that the summit would be carbon neutral.

Sustainability measures used for the summit include an emphasis on local and seasonal produce in catering, with priority on sourcing produce and goods within 100 miles of Carbis Bay. This also includes recycled stationery, hand carved table and natural soap.

As well as commissioning Cornish companies to source local and sustainable products, the summit will also use sustainable energy sources and cleaner fuels such as HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) instead of diesel for any generators on site.

Event organizers are also working to ensure the summit is single-use plastic free whenever possible.

In addition, the government aims to ensure event providers deliver wider social value, such as mentoring programs for those left unemployed by COVID-19, career workshops and online tutorials in digital and virtual skills.

Read more: Bank of England puts climate at the heart of bond plan in green boost

“Combating climate change and conserving the planet’s biodiversity are key priorities for the UK’s G7 presidency, with the Prime Minister calling for commitments from G7 members to support the transition to net zero, spark a green industrial revolution and build climate resilience. economies around the world,” the Cabinet Office said.

It also confirmed four global offset projects, including an improved stove project in Uganda, a composting facility in Vietnam and biogas reuse in Thailand.

“In the fight against climate change, it is vital to lead by example – which is why the G7 Summit will be a carbon neutral event,” said Alok Sharma, COP26 President-designate.

“Our global projects, such as hydropower in Laos, will help offset the emissions generated by the gathering of world leaders, and every coffee cup, pen and notepad used at the Summit will be recyclable or made entirely from recycled materials.

“Our sustainable and carbon-neutral G7 summit is an opportunity to show the world that the UK is serious about bringing global leaders together to deliver real action on climate change.”

Watch: Raab: G7 nations agree to promote human rights and democracy

It comes before the UK hosts COP26 in Glasgow later this year, when world leaders will gather to agree and commit to major international action to tackle climate change and secure the planet’s future for generations to come.

The conference, which takes place between November 1 and 12, will be the largest summit the UK has ever hosted. It will have dozens of world leaders in attendance and bring together representatives from nearly 200 countries, including experts and activists.

It was originally scheduled for November 2020, but was postponed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has been described as the most important climate event since the conclusion of the global Paris Agreement in 2015.

In January, Alok Sharma resigned as UK business secretary to lead the United Nations’ COP26 climate change summit.

Sharma told Boris Johnson he would rather stand down as business secretary than leave his role as climate change envoy.

Watch: Raab: G7 nations agree to promote human rights and democracy