READING WEST MP Sir Alok Sharma says he is humbled to have been knighted in the King’s first New Year’s honours list.
The award is for his for his contribution to combatting climate change through his leadership at COP26, which included helping create an agreement from countries attending the conference that is hoped will have a major impact in addressing climate change in the future.
There had been speculation earlier this year that Sir Alok would be named in Boris Johnson’s resignation honours, but this list has still to be published.
Sir Alok was born in India, and moved to Reading when he was five. He attended Reading Blue Coat School before studying Applied Physics with Electronics at the University of Salford.
He then trained as a chartered accountant.
Elected to Reading West in 2010, he succeeded Martin Salter following his retirement.
During his parliamentary career, he has had a number of government roles including Minister for Housing and then Employment under Theresa May.
When Boris Johnson became prime minister, he was first appointed Secretary of State for International Development, before becoming the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy secretary.
He went on to become the president of COP26, a role he held until Rishi Sunak became prime minister in November and the role was abolished.
The knighthood celebrates his leadership of the COP26 conference which was held in Glasgow in 2021, and saw countries come together to discuss ways to mitigate the climate emergency.
Sir Alok said: “I am humbled to receive this honour.
“Delivering the COP26 conference and getting almost 200 countries to agree the Glasgow Climate Pact was a great UK team effort, supported by many of our dedicated civil servants and diplomats around the world.
“However, if we are to keep alive the prospect of limiting average global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, which will help to avert the worst impacts of climate change, all countries need to redouble efforts to meet their climate action commitments.”
