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It's clear that climate action is going to be a foreign policy objective shared by the UK and US, and many other allies in Europe and beyond. https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1326206254293913600
The UK's presidency of COP26 presents a reason for the White House a reason to work closely with the UK beyond the traditional key institutions of Five Eyes and NATO. But the shared interest in climate action has the potential to go beyond the UNFCCC.
I've mentioned before about the opportunities low-carbon 'stuff' presents. It's not just about technologies which cut emissions, but technologies which are just plainly better in general. Cars which don't belch out exhaust fumes, better ways of powering our homes, etc.
These technologies are coming and, just as with 5G, we cannot leave the global market to become dominated by those who want to undermine the rules-based order and oppose our values. To do so would be damaging for the national security of UK, US, France, Australia, Japan, etc.
SO, as well as getting cracking nationally determined contributions from as many countries as possible to tackle the threat shared by all - climate change, the UK and US should be aware of the need to address the threat shared by the West specifically: falling behind.
The answer (I'm hoping to do a masters on this to check if I'm right) is combining the D10 initiative with green free trade. We need to be coordinating with our allies to make sure we're leading in hydrogen, EV manufacturing, green energy, etc, which China will be pushing hard on
But it isn't just about making securing supply chains and limiting dependence on malign actors as we head into the mid-century. It'll be about providing the climate aid, trade, and finance to friendly developing countries.
The consequences of climate change - extreme weather and resultant instability - could lead to those worst affected to base allegiances on who can help out most with mitigation and adaptation, given both will be vital to the survival of many states. https://capx.co/for-britain-taking-the-lead-on-climate-change-is-a-strategic-necessity/
The West will therefore need to be able to provide the help those countries will need (if only to keep them stable), and offer an alternative to China's growing ability to effectively colonise. Low-carbon tech of the future is the route to doing this.
The White House and Downing Street's shared interest in climate action and the low carbon economy isn't just the UK wanting to remain relevant in Washington. Nor just about saving the planet. It's absolutely a strategic necessity *and* opportunity for us and the West as a whole.
