Anthony Albanese and Sir Keir Starmer meet for the first time and agree to climate partnership

Anthony Albanese and new British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have struck a climate deal during their first meeting since the UK Labor party leader swept to power.

On the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Samoa, the two leaders agreed to a climate change partnership.

They announced an Australia–UK Climate and Energy Partnership to speed up renewable technologies, including green hydrogen and offshore wind.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has been tapped to lead this work on Australia’s side.

The meeting comes months after Sir Keir ended 14 years of Tory rule in a landslide victory in July.

Mr Albanese said he took the opportunity to congratulate him on the win.

“We had a productive discussion, including agreeing to negotiate a new climate and energy partnership,” he said.

“This partnership will ensure we maximise the economic potential of the net zero transition and build on our long-standing cooperation on international climate action and shared commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

“We share a vision for a modern and transformed Australia-United Kingdom relationship, which delivers tangible benefits and prosperity to both our nations and the Indo-Pacific.”

Sir Keir said both nations were determined to improve the lives of working people, boost economic growth and deliver clean energy.

“This partnership underscores our commitment to powering up the UK with clean energy projects that will benefit communities across the country,” the UK PM said.

“Together, we’re delivering better futures for our two countries, whether that’s through protecting our national security with projects like AUKUS or delivering on our net zero commitments.”

The encounter comes as relations fray between the UK Labour Government and a potential Trump administration.

Officials of the former president’s campaign have filed a complaint against the governing party following reports about 100 current and former Labour staffers who had travelled to the US to support the Harris campaign.