Boris Johnson has ‘no plans’ to meet rival Rishi Sunak at the Cop27 summit

Rivals Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak will avoid a chilly climate showdown as they both jet off to the Cop27 summit today.

According to sources, the prime minister and the ex-leader have no plans to meet at the conference, which is being held in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh and starts on Monday.

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Boris also decided to go to the global event to cement his green legacy after the UK hosted the event in Glasgow last year.

Downing Street insiders applauded his decision to leave, saying Mr Sunak “thinks that Britain is so well represented at the conference”.

However, allies close to Boris said he has a busy agenda but no plans to meet the prime minister.

Last night Mr Sunak said he hopes to build on the success of last year’s COP26 after deciding to attend the global gathering after initially saying he would not go.

He will speak at the summit on Monday and last night said fighting the climate is a “moral good” for the world.

Mr Sunak said: “When the world came together in Glasgow last year, nations agreed on a historic roadmap to prevent catastrophic global warming.

“As I travel to Egypt for COP27 today, it is more important than ever that we deliver on those promises.

“Fighting climate change is not just a moral good – it is fundamental to our future prosperity and security.”

He added: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and despicable manipulation of energy prices have only increased the importance of ending our dependence on fossil fuels.

“We need to move further and faster in the renewable energy transition and I will ensure that the UK, as the clean energy superpower, is at the forefront of this global movement.”