‘We’re leading the way’: Starmer defends plans for green economy before Cop30

PM defies critics calling for a slowdown as he flies to Brazil, where he may have frosty reception after opting out of tropical forest fund

• UK opts out of flagship fund to protect Amazon and other threatened tropical forests

The UK will lead on tackling the climate crisis, the prime minister vowed on Wednesday, despite critics calling for a slowdown, because shifting to a low-carbon economy will cut bills, boost economic growth and bring national renewal.

But his words risked being overshadowed by a bitter row over funding for tropical forest preservation at the UN Cop30 climate conference.