UK Leading by Lack of Example?

The UK continues its quest to assume 'world leadership' on climate change (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/12/uk-minister-departs-cop28-as-climate-talks-reach-crisis-point). Its government announces the opening a new coalmine in Northen England. It then grants lots of new licences for the extraction of oil and gas from the North Sea. Phasing out of sales of petrol and diesel-fuelled cars is deferred for 5 years. Low emissions zones in cities are attacked. A junior minister is sent as head of delegation to Cop28. He leaves early, presumably to deal with a local political issue. They cannot be serious (as someone once said)!