Thérèse Coffey insisted the “big political moments” tend to happen at the conference every five years and Mr Sunak had more urgent matters at home, including the upcoming Budget.
The international meeting is due to take place in Egypt between November 6 and 18.
Downing Street said the new Prime Minister has “other pressing domestic commitments including preparations for the autumn Budget”.
Ms Coffey argued that Mr Sunak was “prioritising” the fiscal statement, which he delayed to November 17, and said this year’s summit would be more “low key”. She told LBC: “The UK continues to show global leadership as opposed to just a gathering of people in Egypt.”
Sunak criticised as he prioritises Budget over key climate summit
It comes after Mr Sunak demoted two ministers with responsibility for tackling climate change. COP president Alok Sharma and climate minister Graham Stuart kept the jobs they had held under previous Prime Minister Liz Truss but were removed from the Cabinet.
Denne historien er fra October 28, 2022-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 28, 2022-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.
How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining
After arocky start, the glamorous and infamous restaurant is now an institution
Money is worth less than time'
He's quit Fendi, but what will Kim Jones do next?
London's Roman Amphitheatre
Guildhall Yard, EC2V
Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere
There are many reasons why Donald Trump might have won the election last week.
Do we have to die?
One neuroscientist thinks the answer is no
How to have a magical Christmas in Edinburgh
From cosy cobblestone streets to abundant Yuletide goings-on, few cities rival the Scottish capital in creating Christmas whimsy.
London's best festive restaurants
The social season is upon us once more. These are the city’s most coveted Christmas venues, which need to be booked soon so as to not miss out on the tinsel and tipples.
Rag'n'Bone Man
I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'