Cop26 Glasgow — news: Queen to miss summit as UN warns world is ‘on track for catastrophe’ without bolder plans

The United Nations secretary general has warned world leaders that plans to cut emissions over the next decade left the planet on track for a “catastrophic global temperature rise” of 2.7C.

Antonio Guterres said “humanity’s future depends on keeping global temperature increase to 1.5C by 2030”.

Even with new announcements in the last few days from countries pledging net zero targets ahead of Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow, the world would still see more than 2C of long-term warming, he said.

Elsewhere, Greta Thunberg has revealed that she will join a 5 November climate strike in Glasgow, writing on Twitter: “Climate justice also means social justice and that we leave no one behind.” The Swedish activist has been confirmed as one of the speakers at the Cop26 Coalition’s Global Day for Climate Justice rally.

Read More

Prince Charles warns of ‘dangerously narrow window’ to act on climate change

ScotRail strikes to go ahead during Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow, union says in pay dispute

Cop26 meaning: What is the UN climate conference and why does it matter?

Key Points

• Queen pulls out of Cop26

• Greta Thunberg to join Glasgow strike

• Putin expresses ‘regret’ he can’t make Cop26 during call with PM

• Greenpeace chief warns of 'greenwashing' at UN climate talks

• Archbishop of Canterbury urges world leaders to ‘be bolder’ at Cop26

• World heading for catastrophe without bolder climate plans, UN warns

• Nicola Sturgeon: Cop26 ‘inevitably' poses risk of transmission of Covid-19

Youth climate activists ‘occupy’ the Science Museum overnight

08:20 , Holly Bancroft

Young climate activists spent the night in the Science Museum in protest at its sponsorship deals with fossil fuel companies.

The London branch of the UK Student Climate Network held a candlelit vigil at the museum on Tuesday evening and posted photos of the encampment on social media on Wednesday morning.

The vigil was for “the victims of the museum’s fossil fuel sponsors: Shell, BP, Equinor and Adani”. Around 30 students were involved in the protest and The Evening Standard reported that the activists were locked in overnight.

A beginner’s guide to investing for climate

07:01 , Stuti Mishra

With Cop26 pushing from stricter climate agenda, countries will be focusing on curbs for heavy carbon emissions and there will be increased scrutiny for industries that have been heavy polluters.

However, there are many companies that have adopted sustainable ways and are working towards green technology. Experts say there are many more that can benefit from environmental themes.

But what can investors do to support the various industries and companies that are involved in creating a more sustainable planet?

Here Rob Griffin asks the experts to highlight the various sectors, stocks and funds that could be worth considering.

Cop26: How to put your money where your mouth is

Can Cop26 find a consensus between developed and developing countries?

06:30 , Stuti Mishra

One of the key aspects in Cop26 discussions will be the issue of climate financing. Developing countries like India have long maintained that climate action should be funded by developed countries.

However, there’s growing consensus that more ambitious pledges need to be undertaken in order to keep climate change under 2C.

Here Daisy Dunne explores whether wealthier countries, that got rich by burning fossil fuels, have a responsibility to compensate those at the forefront of the crisis.

Paying for pollution: The case for climate reparations

Road closures and new electric buses, how Glasgow is bracing up to welcome world leaders

06:01 , Stuti Mishra

Leaders and delegates of 197 countries with their bustling entourage of advisers, envoys and security personnel will be arriving at the Scottish city of Glasgow over the 13 days of the Cop26 summit.

Along with the estimated 25,000 people, a host of environmental activists and protesters are also expected to be in the city.

How will the climate summit affect the roads and transport in the city?

Joe Sommerland reports

How Cop26 road closures will affect travel in Glasgow

First look of Cop26 conference centre

05:25 , Stuti Mishra

The first pictures of the Cop26 conference centre which is set to welcome the participants from 197 countries on Sunday were shared by UNFCCC’s deputy executive secretary Ovais Sarmad on Twitter.

Referring to the summit as “unprecedented & historic,” Mr Sarmad wrote safety and hygiene will be given high priority at the venue.

Covid restrictions still a challenge for COP26

04:53 , Stuti Mishra

While the COP26 summit is already taking place after a gap of one year, the pandemic restrictions are still affecting the attendance of many countries, especially the ones more vulnerable to climate change.

Border closures, quarantine rules and high travel costs will see small island states and poorer nations sending smaller delegations, with some leaders unable to travel to the summit starting in Scotland on Sunday.

Click here to know which countries will be affected due to the restrictions:

Covid challenges ‘disadvantage’ smaller nations in COP26 climate talks

Good morning

04:23 , Stuti Mishra

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of all things COP26.

Follow for the latest climate updates.

Queen pulls out of Cop26

Tuesday 26 October 2021 18:29 , Holly Bancroft

The Queen will not be attending the Cop26 climate summit, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

The 95-year-old monarch, who spent a night in hospital last week, was supposed to travel to Glasgow for an engagement on 1 November.

A Palace spokesperson said: “Her Majesty has regretfully decided that she will no longer travel to Glasgow to attend the evening reception of Cop26 on Monday, 1st November.

“Her Majesty is disappointed not to attend the reception but will deliver an address to the assembled delegates via a recorded video message.”

Here Joe Middleton has the latest details.

The Queen will not attend Cop26 summit in Glasgow next week

Will China’s Xi Jinping attend Cop26?

Tuesday 26 October 2021 18:05 , Joe Middleton

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (Cop26) will finally commence in Glasgow, Scotland, at the end of October, a year after it was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hosted by the UK under the presidency of former business secretary Alok Sharma and in partnership with Italy, the summit at the city’s SEC Centre will bring together the biggest gathering of world leaders ever assembled on British soil over the course of its 12-day run from Sunday 31 October to Friday 12 November.

While the importance of the summit has been heavily hyped and expectation is high that a generation-defining agreement will be signed to rein in greenhouse gas emissions and put the brake on the pace of global heating in line with the goals of the 2015 Paris accord, there is currently a good deal of uncertainty surrounding precisely who will be attending.

Without the enthusiastic cooperation of the influential leaders of some of the planet’s biggest polluting nations, anything agreed at Cop26 will ring decidedly hollow.

The worst blow to Boris Johnson’s ambitions for the gathering so far has been the Kremlin’s announcement that Russian president Vladimir Putin will not be attending.

But perhaps the greatest concern of all though is whether Chinese premier Xi Jinping will fly into Glasgow.

Joe Sommerlad reports.

Will China’s Xi Jinping attend Cop26?

Cop26: How much progress has been made since Cop25 and how far do we have to go?

Tuesday 26 October 2021 17:35 , Joe Middleton

Remember Cop25? If so, it’s probably not for the right reasons. The last UN climate summit, held in Madrid in 2019, was characterised by squabbles among major polluting nations and ultimately a disappointing lack of action.

Now on the cusp of Cop26 in Glasgow – postponed for a year due the Covid pandemic – there is an even narrower window to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement, designed to curb even greater climate extremes.

The Independent’s senior climate correspondent Louis Boyle reports.

How much progress has been made since Cop25 and how far do we have to go?

EU and China climate tzars set to meet ahead of Cop26 summit

Tuesday 26 October 2021 17:05 , Joe Middleton

EU green policy chief Frans Timmermans will meet China’s top climate envoy Xie Zhenhua face-to-face for the first time on Wednesday ahead of the Cop26 summit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is not expected to attend the climate talks and some campaigners are concerned that the world’s biggest CO2 producer does not plan on unveiling a new pledge at the United Nations event in Scotland.

But while Xi has not travelled outside China since before the pandemic, he has made three major climate announcements on the international stage, including a pledge at last month’s UN general assembly to stop funding coal plants abroad.

At their meeting scheduled to take place in London on Wednesday, Xie and Timmermans will “go through the latest developments and see where we all stand in these last few days before the Cop26 officially begins,” an EU official said.

The 27 countries of the EU were among 143 to increase their climate pledges this year, out of the nearly 200 that signed the Paris accord. The EU has committed, in law, to cut net emissions at least 55% from 1990 levels by 2030 and hit net zero by 2050.

China is among the major emitters that has yet to submit a new climate target. It has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2060 and stop increasing its emissions before 2030, although it has not pinned down a date by which its emissions will peak.

Additional reporting by Reuters

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres bemoans ‘leadership gap’ ahead of Cop26 climate talks

Tuesday 26 October 2021 16:44 , Joe Middleton

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres has lamented a “leadership gap” ahead of Cop26 climate talks and said that plans by countries to cut emissions over the next decade left the world on track for a “catastrophic global temperature rise” of 2.7C.

Even with new announcements in the last few days from countries pledging net zero targets ahead of Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow, the world would still see more than 2C of long-term warming, he said.

“We know that humanity’s future depends on keeping global temperature increase to 1.5C by 2030,” he told a press conference on a UN report on the “emissions gap” between action needed to limit temperature rises to globally-agreed goals under the Paris Agreement and what countries have pledged.

“We also know that, so far, parties to the Paris Agreement are utterly failing to keep this target within reach.”

He warned: “The clock is ticking. The emissions gap is the result of a leadership gap.

“But leaders can still make this a turning point to a greener future instead of a tipping point to climate catastrophe.

“The era of half measures and hollow promises must end. The time for closing the leadership gap must begin in Glasgow.”

Additional reporting by PA

SNP transport minister should resign if rail strikes go ahead during Cop26 - Scottish Lib Dems

Tuesday 26 October 2021 16:30 , Joe Middleton

Transport minister Graeme Dey should resign if rail strikes go ahead during Cop26, the Scottish Lib Dems have said.

The RMT union is the final holdout in the action, which is set to disrupt the historic summit coming to Glasgow in less than a week.

Up to 30,000 people will descend on Scotland’s largest city over a two-week period and the strikes would hinder their ability to commute to and from the conference hall.

Mr Dey said on Tuesday he was “not optimistic” of a resolution by the deadline, set for 5pm on Wednesday.

But union leaders described the offer as “pitiful”, claiming it came with conditions that could cost jobs.

Lib Dem transport spokeswoman Jill Reilly said: “We are talking about delegates from around the world being unable to attend the most important climate summit of all time.

“Hotels in Edinburgh and elsewhere are booked out for this conference but their guests are unsure if they will even be able to reach the venue.

“The travelling public have now had six months of reduced services on the railways, it’s not like this has come out of the blue.”

Ms Reilly went on to point to the resignation of former transport secretary Stewart Stevenson, after a failure to prepare for snow disrupted roads.

“A rail shutdown would be a failure of equal magnitude. If the trains don’t run smoothly and on time for the duration of Cop26, then Graeme Dey should resign.

“The eyes of the world will soon be on Scotland. Ministers need to stop grandstanding and hammer out a deal that gets the trains running.”

PA

Consumers can drive climate action – look at the success of Elon Musk’s Tesla

Tuesday 26 October 2021 16:14 , Joe Middleton

People are switching to electric cars, not because governments tell them to, but because they want to buy them, writes Hamish McRae.

Opinion: Consumers can drive climate action – look at the success of Tesla

Biden ‘will be on track’ to deliver climate deal at Cop26 in Glasgow

Tuesday 26 October 2021 16:00 , Joe Middleton

President Joe Biden will be “on track” to deliver on his promise to make the US a leader in fighting climate change when he arrives in Glasgow for the 26^th United Nations Climate Change Conference, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday.

Andrew Feinberg reports.

Biden ‘will be on track’ to deliver climate deal at Cop26 in Glasgow

Animal Rebellion activists climb Defra building

Tuesday 26 October 2021 15:44 , Joe Middleton

Climate activists in hard hats have scaled a government today and unfurled a banner demanding that countries attending the upcoming UN climate conference invest in plant-based alternatives to meat.

The activists from Animal Rebellion scaled the building which houses the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

The campaigners are an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, which has blocked traffic, disrupted public transport and set up encampments to gain attention and press for stronger action against climate change.

The climbers hung a large yellow banner reading “COP26: Invest in a plant-based future.”

The group said its protest will remain in place until Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledges to urge all world leaders to end meat and dairy subsidies at the upcoming COP26 summit next week in Scotland.

Additional reporting by AP

Nicola Sturgeon: Cop26 ‘inevitably' poses risk of transmission of Covid-19

Tuesday 26 October 2021 15:23 , Joe Middleton

Nicola Sturgeon has said that Cop26 will “inevitably” pose a risk of transmission of Covid-19, but that the Scottish Government and UN is working hard to “mitigate” issues.

The First Minister said: “The hosting of Cop26 would always have been a significant challenge for the UK and Scottish governments and Glasgow City Council.

“However, the fact it is happening amidst the global pandemic makes it even more so.

“It is inevitably the case that it poses a risk of increased Covid transmission.

“I want to assure Parliament and the public, however, that the Scottish Government has been working closely with the United Nations and the UK Government to mitigate these risks as far as possible.”

Most delegates will be double vaccinated, those from outside the common travel area will have to show proof of a negative test and those on the red list will have to stay in managed quarantine.

Those in the blue zone will have to carry out daily lateral flow testing and follow hygiene mitigations.

Additional reporting by PA

World heading for catastrophe without bolder climate plans, UN warns

Tuesday 26 October 2021 14:54 , Tom Batchelor

The world is way off course from averting climate disaster, and countries’ new commitments to cutting greenhouse gas emissions – unveiled ahead of the Cop26 climate summit – “fall far short” of what is required to reach net zero by 2050, the UN has warned.

“We know that humanity’s future depends on keeping global temperature increase to 1.5C by 2030,” secretary general Antonio Guterres told a press conference on a UN report on the “emissions gap” between action needed to limit temperature rises to globally-agreed goals under the Paris Agreement and what countries have pledged.

“We also know that, so far, parties to the Paris Agreement are utterly failing to keep this target within reach.”

He warned: “The clock is ticking. The emissions gap is the result of a leadership gap.”

Read the full report below:

World heading for catastrophe without bolder climate plans, UN warns

More people than ever before worried humans are ruining the planet, study suggests

Tuesday 26 October 2021 14:45 , Tom Batchelor

Across the world, people of all ages, gender, educational and cultural backgrounds are overwhelmingly concerned about the climate crisis, research shared exclusively with The Independent shows.

Over the past six years more than 181,000 people in 20 countries have been asked about the climate crisis in the largest study of its kind.

On the cusp of the United Nations Cop26 summit, where global leaders must negotiate more meaningful and critical climate action, the findings reveal that an ever-growing number worry about the damage being done to the planet.

Read the findings here:

More people than ever before worried humans are ruining the planet

What does Cop26 stand for and why does it matter?

Tuesday 26 October 2021 14:20 , Eleanor Sly

Cop26 will finally commence in Glasgow, Scotland, at the end of October, a year on from its postponement because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hosted by the UK under the presidency of former business secretary Alok Sharma and in partnership with Italy, the summit at the city’s SEC Centre will bring together the biggest gathering of world leaders ever assembled on British soil over the course of its 12-day run from Sunday 31 October to Friday 12 November.

What is Cop26? Cop stands for conference of the parties under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This year is the 26th iteration of the annual meeting.

Joe Sommerlad explains below:

What does Cop26 stand for and why does it matter?

Australia announces plan to reach net-zero but controversially refuses to set short-term goals

Tuesday 26 October 2021 14:00 , Eleanor Sly

Australia has promised to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, joining a host of developed countries, as scrutiny increased on its massive fossil fuel sector.

The plan, announced by the government on Tuesday, comes a week before the UN’s Conference of Parties (COP26) summit, where there would have been increased pressure on the country to announce its long-awaited climate action plans.

Prime minister Scott Morrison had already said the country does not intend to put an end to its massive fossil fuel sector. The plan also does not include any emission reduction target for 2030.

Stuti Mishra has more:

Australia announces plan to reach net-zero but refuses to set short-term goals

UK’s Climate Change Committee says UK’s Net Zero Strategy ‘major step forward’

Tuesday 26 October 2021 13:35 , Eleanor Sly

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has called the UK Government’s Net Zero Strategy a “major step forward” and a “strong example” to bring to the Cop26 climate summit.

Chris Stark, the CCC chief executive wrote: “It puts forward an achievable and affordable vision that will bring net benefits to the UK.

Adding: “The strategy makes big decisions: fully decarbonised electricity by 2035, phaseout of sales of fossil fuel cars by 2030 and [gas] boilers by 2035, and rapid electrification of transport, industry and heating.”

PM congratulates Australia on net zero target

Tuesday 26 October 2021 13:10 , Eleanor Sly

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has praised the news that Australia has committed to reaching net zero by 2050.

Taking to Twitter, he said that the country “joined a growing club” of countries committed to reaching net zero. He added that he was looking forward to welcoming Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison to Cop26 next week.

Who are environmental activist group Animal Rebellion?

Tuesday 26 October 2021 12:50 , Eleanor Sly

1. So who are Animal Rebellion?

2. What do they want?

3. What protests have the group organised recently?

Holly Bancroft explains more here:

Who are environmental activist group Animal Rebellion?

Boris Johnson’s government must make people fly less, say climate advisers

Tuesday 26 October 2021 12:27 , Eleanor Sly

Boris Johnson’s strategy for cutting emissions to net zero is a major step forward – but will fail to reduce demand for flying, the government’s climate advisers have said.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) said the strategy set out by Mr Johnson’s government last week had left some big gaps, including measures to reduce the number of flights.

The independent committee which advises UK ministers said the new strategy had “nothing to say” on limit the growth in aviation sector or encouraging diet changes away from meat – insisting these steps are crucial in cutting emissions.

Adam Forrest reports:

UK government must make people fly less, say climate advisers

David Attenborough says Britain has ‘moral responsibility’ to ‘act now’ on climate

Tuesday 26 October 2021 12:05 , Eleanor Sly

Sir David Attenborough has issued a warning ahead of Cop26 in Glasgow that leaders must act now or “it’ll be too late” for the planet.

The broadcaster said richer western countries such as the UK have a “moral responsibility” to help refugees displaced by climate change.

“Every month that passes, it becomes more and more incontrovertible, the changes to the planet that we are responsible for that are having these devastating effects,” he told the BBC.

David Attenborough says Britain has ‘moral responsibility’ to ‘act now’ on climate

Cop26 programme: Full schedule for this year’s UN climate conference in Glasgow

Tuesday 26 October 2021 11:35 , Eleanor Sly

Discover the full schedule for Cop26 below:

Full schedule for this year’s Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow

Who is going to Cop26? Putin snubs event in blow to climate talks

Tuesday 26 October 2021 11:19 , Eleanor Sly

The 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (Cop26) will finally commence in Glasgow, Scotland, at the end of October, a year after it was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hosted by the UK under the presidency of former business secretary Alok Sharma and in partnership with Italy, the summit at the city’s SEC Centre will bring together the biggest gathering of world leaders ever assembled on British soil over the course of its 12-day run from Sunday 31 October to Friday 12 November.

Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, prime minister Boris Johnson, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon and ex-Bank of England governor Mark Carney, a UN climate envoy and Cop26’s financial adviser, will all be there representing Britain, while Italian prime minister Mario Draghi and his environment minister Roberto Cingolani will appear for the co-hosts.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

Who is going to Cop26? Putin snubs event in blow to climate talks

Greta Thunberg: ‘Deeply shameful’ that climate finance delivery plan target missed

Tuesday 26 October 2021 10:55 , Eleanor Sly

Greta Thunberg has called the news that the new climate finance delivery plan target has been missed “deeply shameful.”

The 18-year-old climate activist wrote in a tweet: “They can’t even come up with the bare minimum. This is shameful. Deeply shameful.”

This was in reference to the news that the $100bn target for 2020 climate finance delivery has been missed.

‘All cities have rats’: Council leader defends Glasgow ahead of Cop26

Tuesday 26 October 2021 10:32 , Eleanor Sly

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken has dismissed concerns about rubbish and rats after reports of street cleaners being bitten by the animals in the run-up to Cop26.

Appearing before the Scottish Affairs Committee on Monday, Councillor Aitken answered questions from MPs about the city’s preparations for the climate summit that will host as many as 30,000 delegates and thousands more activists.

Councillor Aitken told MPs that Glasgow was ready “with caveats”. She said they were technical hold-ups, none of which were “massive” or “enough to cause panic”.

Thomas Kingsley has more:

‘All cities have rats’: Council leader defends Glasgow ahead of Cop26

Sign up to The Independent’s free Cop26 UN climate summit daily briefing newsletter

Tuesday 26 October 2021 10:20 , Eleanor Sly

To sign up for our climate newsletter and the Cop26 special editions click here or enter your email address into the box at the top of the article.

Or see the full article here:

Sign up to The Independent’s free Cop26 daily briefing newsletter

Sir David Attenborough warns: ‘If we don’t act now, it’ll be too late’

Tuesday 26 October 2021 09:59 , Eleanor Sly

Sir David Attenborough is warning that we need to act now to tackle climate change before it becomes too late.

Speaking in an interview for his new series The Green Planet, which will be aired on BBC1 next year, Sir David said: "If we don’t act now, it’ll be too late."

He explained that the richest nations have “a moral responsibility” to help the poorest and said it would be “really catastrophic” if we were to ignore their problems.

He went on to add: "What climate scientists have been saying for 20 years, and that we have been reporting upon, you and I both, is the case - we were not causing false alarms.

"And every day that goes by in which we don’t do something about it is a day wasted. And things are being made worse.”

Some world leaders may not be coming to Cop26 – but it’s not all doom and gloom

Tuesday 26 October 2021 09:40 , Eleanor Sly

November in Glasgow was never going to be fun. But even the most callous pessimists didn’t predict the scale of gloom descending on the Scottish city as 20,000 government and business leaders arrive for the United Nation’s global climate summit next week.

Growing energy crises in Europe, China and India ahead of winter; leaders from major polluters such as China, Russia, Brazil, and Mexico boycotting; scientists warning of environmental devastation without urgent action; and President Biden’s signature climate legislation in tatters. Covid. All set the stage for what could be a major disappointment in a year that was supposed to mark the world’s collective turn toward a green energy revolution.

But looking past the drama of Boris Johnson’s big chance to set post-Brexit Britain’s place at the international table, investors see progress about to move decisively in the form of coordinated financial regulation to prevent the climate crisis from causing another global financial crisis.

David Callaway writes:

Opinion: Some leaders may not be coming to Cop26 – but it’s not all doom and gloom

Greta Thunberg to join Glasgow strike

Tuesday 26 October 2021 09:28 , Eleanor Sly

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has announced that she will be joining the 5 November climate strike in Glasgow, which is due to take place during COP26.

She tweeted: “Climate justice also means social justice and that we leave no one behind. So we invite everyone, especially the workers striking in Glasgow, to join us. See you there!”

Good morning

Tuesday 26 October 2021 09:25 , Eleanor Sly

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of all things COP26.

Follow for the latest climate updates.

That’s it for today...

Monday 25 October 2021 19:27 , Sam Hancock

That’s it from us on the Cop26 blog for today, thanks for following along.

Be sure to check The Independent’s climate homepage for all the latest news.

We’ll be back tomorrow morning with all the pre-Cop developments.

WaterAid: Late climate crisis fund could ‘derail Cop26’

Monday 25 October 2021 19:25 , Sam Hancock

Let’s get some expert commentary about the new rich countries will be three years late in putting together a long-promised $100bn (£72.6bn) climate crisis fund for poor nations.

Bernard Aryeetey, WaterAid’s global international affairs director, said

“This new plan is just an attempt to hide the fact that developed countries have failed to keep their promise and repay their deadly climate debt to the poorest nations in the world.

“Day in, day out, mothers and fathers are struggling to ensure their children have access to clean water, and to feed and clothe them, because of the devastating impacts of floods and droughts caused by climate change.

“They cannot wait two more years for world leaders to put their money where their mouths are.

“What’s more, the announcement threatens to derail Cop26 once and for all. Because why should developing countries trust in negotiations with richer nations who don’t keep their promises?”

Cop26 on brink as PM admits he’s ‘very worried’

Monday 25 October 2021 19:05 , Sam Hancock

Hopes for a breakthrough on tackling the climate crisis at Cop26 are fading after Boris Johnson admitted he is “very worried” the summit will fail and it was revealed poor nations will not receive the $100bn of help they were promised until 2023 – three years late.

With just six days until the crucial Glasgow gathering, the UN also released fresh alarming evidence that the world is “way off track” in curbing greenhouse gas emissions, reports our deputy political editor Rob Merrick.

“It will be very, very tough, this summit, and I’m very worried because it might go wrong and we might not get the agreements that we need,” the PM admitted to children in a Downing Street presser – while insisting it “can be done”.

Cop26 on brink as PM says he’s ‘very worried’ and climate fund deadline missed

Watch: Meeting on climate a decade ago ‘unthinkable,’ says UK rep

Monday 25 October 2021 18:50 , Sam Hancock

Opinion: ‘Some world leaders may not attend Cop26 – but that’s ok’

Monday 25 October 2021 18:30 , Sam Hancock

David Callaway, the founder of Callaway Climate Insights, writes about some of the world’s most powerful leaders not attending Cop26.

November in Glasgow was never going to be fun. But even the most callous pessimists didn’t predict the scale of gloom descending on the Scottish city as 20,000 government and business leaders arrive for the UN’s global climate summit next week.

Growing energy crises in Europe, China and India ahead of winter; leaders from major polluters such as China, Russia, Brazil, and Mexico boycotting; scientists warning of environmental devastation without urgent action; and President Biden’s signature climate legislation in tatters. Covid. All set the stage for what could be a major disappointment in a year that was supposed to mark the world’s collective turn toward a green energy revolution.

But looking past the drama of Boris Johnson’s big chance to set post-Brexit Britain’s place at the international table, investors see progress about to move decisively in the form of coordinated financial regulation to prevent the climate crisis from causing another global financial crisis.

Read David’s thinking in full here:

Opinon: Some leaders may not be coming to Cop26 – but it’s not all doom and gloom

Watch: PM admits to doubts about success of Cop26

Monday 25 October 2021 18:10 , Sam Hancock

UN tells world leaders to ‘redouble’ efforts after new report

Monday 25 October 2021 17:47 , Sam Hancock

National plans by countries to tackle the climate crisis leave the world on track for temperature rises of 2.7C, the UN has warned.

A report by the UN Climate Change body assessed all the national plans that have been put forward by countries to cut emissions over the next decade as part of efforts to meet international targets to curb dangerous warming.

Published in the run up to Cop26, it confirms that countries are nowhere near what the science says the world needs to be to limit rising temperatures to globally-agreed goals.

UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa urged countries to redouble their climate efforts or face a “destabilised world and endless suffering” as a result of the crisis.

Concerns as MPs vote against amendment to stop sewage dumps

Monday 25 October 2021 17:16 , Sam Hancock

Environmental campaigners have condemned a parliamentary vote against amending a bill to stop water companies dumping raw sewage into Britain’s rivers.

The group Surfers Against Sewage have warned that swimmers along the south coast could be at risk from the pollution, highlighting 20 beaches along the Sussex and Hampshire coast line that already have a risk warning in place.

The group are trying to raise awareness of the risks after an amendment to the Environment Bill was rejected in the House of Commons, reports Holly Bancroft.

Concern grows as MPs vote against amendment to stop sewage dumps

Putin expresses ‘regret’ he can’t make Cop26 during call with PM

Monday 25 October 2021 16:44 , Sam Hancock

Vladimir Putin has reportedly expressed his regret at not being able to attend the Cop26 summit in person, telling Boris Johnson in a phone call he was forced to pull out due to the Covid situation in Russia.

The PM is said to have insisted he hoped the Russian president would commit to bringing forward his country’s net-zero commitment to 2050, in line with other nations.

Mr Putin has so far committed to reaching the target by 2060.

China pledges to cut fossil fuel use below 20% by 2060

Monday 25 October 2021 16:17 , Chiara Giordano

China has decided to cut its reliance on fossil fuel to less than 20 per cent by 2060, according to a cabinet document published by the state media.

The new target, reported by the state-run Xinhua news agency on Sunday, comes just a week before UN climate talks are set to begin in Glasgow, where countries will discuss climate action goals.

The document lays out a host of guidelines the country will undertake to reduce its dependence on coal.

Stuti Mishra has the full details:

China pledges to cut fossil fuel use below 20% by 2060

Boris Johnson jokes about ‘feeding humans to animals’ during press conference for children

Monday 25 October 2021 16:02 , Chiara Giordano

Boris Johnson joked that feeding people to animals could help solve the biodiversity crisis facing the planet during a climate press conference with children.

The prime minister was discussing the challenges facing the natural world with conservation charity WWF UK’s chief executive Tanya Steele.

My colleague Tom Batchelor has more on this story:

PM jokes about ‘feeding humans to animals’ during press conference for children

Levels of planet-warming greenhouse gases reach new high despite Covid lockdowns

Monday 25 October 2021 15:40 , Chiara Giordano

Levels of planet-warming greenhouse gases recorded in the earth's atmosphere reached record levels last year despite lockdowns in countries around the world, according to UN scientists.

Researchers at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide rose by more than the annual average in the past 10 years.

My colleague Matt Mathers has more details:

Levels of planet-warming greenhouse gases reach new high despite Covid lockdowns

Sturgeon warns world leaders of ‘entirely justified anger’ from young people at climate progress

Monday 25 October 2021 15:30 , Chiara Giordano

Nicola Sturgeon has said Cop26 needs to see “significant uplift” in the ambition to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the world’s most polluting countries, and also said the conference must recognise growing levels of anger at inaction, particularly from younger generations.

She also suggested the controversial Cambo oilfield in the North Sea, which has been backed by the UK government, should be reviewed.

Our environment correspondent Harry Cockburn has the full story:

Sturgeon warns of ‘entirely justified anger’ from young on climate

Boris Johnson says he ‘des not want to support new coal mines'

Monday 25 October 2021 15:16 , Chiara Giordano

Boris Johnson has said he does not "want to support new coal mines", as ministers face pressure to prevent a site opening in Cumbria.

Asked at a children's press conference if he will continue to support new coal mines being created in the UK, the prime minister said: "We don't want to support new coal mines but what we want to do is to continue our progress to a zero-carbon future."

Downing Street later insisted Mr Johnson was talking in "broader terms" rather than saying ministers would block the new coal mine in Cumbria. The PM’s official spokesman said: "I think the prime minister was talking in broader terms about our stated aim to phase out the use of coal in the long term.

"There are specific reviews into individual applications that pre-date that and those are ongoing."

Rich world on course to achieve $100bn climate fund for poor nations – but not until 2023

Monday 25 October 2021 14:34 , Chiara Giordano

Rich countries are on course to achieve a long-promised $100bn climate crisis fund for poor nations, a pre-Cop26 study says – but not until 2023.

The target is seen as crucial to winning the trust of developing countries to make their own CO2 cutting commitments in Glasgow next week, but stood $20bn short in 2019.

Follow our breaking news story for the latest on this:

Rich world set to achieve $100bn climate fund for poor nations – but not until 2023

Prime minister has ‘completely lost the plastic plot’ with recycling comments, says industry boss

Monday 25 October 2021 14:24 , Chiara Giordano

The Recycling Association has said Boris Johnson has "completely lost the plastic plot" by telling people recycling does not work when trying to solve the climate crisis.

Chief executive Simon Ellin told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme: "Wow, I think is the first answer (to the prime minister).

"It's very disappointing. I think he has completely lost the plastic plot here, if I'm honest.

"We need to reduce and I would completely agree with him on that but his own government has just invested in the resources and waste strategy, which is the most ground-breaking recycling legislation and plan that we've ever seen, with recycling right at the front of it.

"So he seems to be completely conflicting with his own government's policy."

Feeding people to animals could address imbalance in nature, Boris Johnson jokes

Monday 25 October 2021 14:00 , Chiara Giordano

Boris Johnson joked that feeding people to animals could address the imbalance in nature.

WWF UK's Tanya Steele, appearing alongside the prime minister, said: "I think we need to bring nature back... Our planet, 97 per cent of the mass of mammals on this planet is humans and our animals, our domestic animals.

"Just 3 per cent is left for the wild."

The prime minister said it was "so sad" and added: "We could feed some of the human beings to the animals."

Ms Steele replied: "We could have a vote later and ask if there's any candidates."

‘Far from clear’ whether Cop26 will deliver progress needed, says PM

Monday 25 October 2021 13:45 , Chiara Giordano

Boris Johnson said it was "far from clear" whether Cop26 would deliver the progress needed to tackle climate change.

The prime minister welcomed Australia's commitment to a 2050 net zero target.

"That was actually very difficult for Australia because Australia's very heavily dependent on coal, on lots of carbon-producing industries and they've done a heroic thing, the Australians, in getting to that commitment," he told schoolchildren in Downing Street.

"I hope that they will be joined by lots more countries in that region for the Cop summit."

There was a lot of "peer pressure" at the summit, with countries following the example of friends and neighbours, he said.

But "it's very, very far from clear that we will get the progress that we need", he warned.

Coca-Cola ‘producing overwhelming bulk of world’s plastics’, says Boris Johnson

Monday 25 October 2021 13:30 , Chiara Giordano

Boris Johnson named and shamed Coca-Cola as being one of 12 corporations "producing the overwhelming bulk of the world's plastics".

He told a children's press conference on the climate crisis: "There are about 12 companies at the moment, 12 big corporations, that are producing the overwhelming bulk of the world's plastics.

"Big famous drinks companies that you may know but I won't name. I don't know why not, but I won't name them.

"Coca-Cola, for instance, and others, which are responsible for producing huge quantities of plastic, and we've got to move away from that and we've got to find other ways of packaging and selling our stuff."

Cop26 ‘our best chance to begin global push to net zero’, PM tells southeast Asia

Monday 25 October 2021 13:15 , Chiara Giordano

The prime minister used a video address to business and political leaders in southeast Asia to stress the need for action to tackle climate change and promote green investment.

Boris Johnson said Cop26 in Glasgow would be "one of the defining summits of our time".

He told the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) business and investment summit: "Cop26 marks our last best chance to begin the global push to net zero.

"And if we can use that opportunity to deliver real, substantive action on coal, cars, cash and trees, then I really do believe that we can not only keep temperature increases below 1.5 degrees, but also usher in a worldwide green industrial revolution - growing economies by cutting emissions.

"There's no choice to be made between going green and creating jobs - they are two sides of the same coin.

"And there's no doubt at all that green investment is the future."

Nicola Sturgeon calls for high-emitting nations to ‘step up’ on climate change

Monday 25 October 2021 13:00 , Chiara Giordano

Failure to act on climate change will be a "betrayal of young people around the world" and risks life on earth becoming "unrecognisable", Scotland's first minister has told world leaders.

Nicola Sturgeon used a speech ahead of the global Cop26 summit to challenge those countries which have the highest emissions levels - such as China, Russia, the US and India - to do more to tackle the climate emergency.

Speaking at an event at Strathclyde University in Glasgow ahead of the giant UN conference getting underway on Sunday, Ms Sturgeon warned even keeping temperature rises to 1.5C - one of the key agreements from the Paris climate summit in 2015 - would not prevent all the damaging impacts of climate change.

Boris Johnson admits climate summit ‘might go wrong’

Monday 25 October 2021 12:45 , Chiara Giordano

Boris Johnson has admitted the crucial climate summit “might go wrong” and said reaching an agreement with world leaders could be “touch and go”.

Hosting children at No 10 for a “press conference” on the climate, the prime minister said the UK needed to persuade as many countries as possible to “go to net zero” and ensure they are not producing too much carbon dioxide by 2050.

Our political correspondent Ashley Cowburn has more on this:

PM admits climate summit ‘might go wrong’ and reaching agreement ‘touch and go’

Sign up to The Independent’s free Cop26 UN climate summit daily briefing newsletter

Monday 25 October 2021 12:36 , Chiara Giordano

Here at The Independent we are offering you an exclusive way to receive a daily news bulletin direct from our correspondents on the ground at the summit.

Our team of dedicated environment and climate reporters will be compiling a newsletter on a daily basis and it will be sent out each evening of the summit bringing all the latest headlines from that day’s events.

The daily briefing will bring you up to speed on what has been discussed, what has been agreed, exclusive interviews our team will carrying out with the delegates and others, as well as a behind the scenes view and analysis from the latest 24 hours in Glasgow.

To sign up, visit the link below:

Sign up to The Independent’s free Cop26 daily briefing newsletter

Recycling plastic ‘doesn’t work’, Boris Johnson claims

Monday 25 October 2021 12:30 , Chiara Giordano

Boris Johnson said recycling plastic "doesn't work" as he stressed the need to reduce the amount of the material that is used.

The prime minister told a press conference with children in Downing Street: "Recycling isn't the answer. Recycling... it doesn't begin to address the problem."

He said "the only answer" was "we've all got to cut down on our use of plastic".

Appearing alongside Mr Johnson, WWF UK's chief executive Tanya Steele said: "We have to reduce, we have to reuse - I do think we need to do a little bit of recycling, PM, and have some system to do so."

But Mr Johnson said: "It doesn't work."

‘Very, very difficult but I think it can be done’, says Boris Johnson of meeting Cop26 goals

Monday 25 October 2021 12:15 , Chiara Giordano

The prime minister said meeting the goals of Cop26 would be "very, very difficult" but "I think it can be done".

Boris Johnson told schoolchildren in Downing Street: "If you look at what the UK has done, we've cut our own C02 emissions massively, we've cut coal emissions massively."

Mr Johnson chose to host a press conference with children ahead of "perhaps the most important summit that this country has had in our lifetimes".

‘Touch and go’ whether summit will be success, Boris Johnson admits

Monday 25 October 2021 12:00 , Chiara Giordano

Boris Johnson has admitted it is “touch and go” whether Cop26 will be a success and that he is “very worried”.

The prime minister, answering questions from schoolchildren in Downing Street, said: “We need as many people as possible to go to net zero so that they are not producing too much carbon dioxide by the middle of the century.

“Now, I think it can be done. It’s going to be very, very tough, this summit. And I’m very worried, because it might go wrong and we might not get the agreements that we need. It’s touch and go.”

Saturday 23 October 2021 15:45 , Chris Baynes

Securing a global climate deal in Glasgow will be "really tough", Cop26 president Alok Sharma has warned.

He said sealing any agreement to reduce emissions with be harder "on lots of levels" than signing the Paris Agreement of 2015.

Countries are under pressure to increase their greenhouse gas emission cuts as the world is far off track to meet globally agreed targets to limit temperature rises and curb dangerous warming.

The Cop26 summit, which starts in Glasgow on October 31, is the effective deadline for countries to bring forward more ambitious national climate plans in a five-year process under the Paris climate treaty.

Mr Sharma told The Guardian: "What we're trying to do here in Glasgow is actually really tough.

"It was brilliant, what they did in Paris, it was a framework agreement, (but) a lot of the detailed rules were left for the future.

"It's like we've got to the end of the exam paper and the most difficult questions are left and you're running out of time, the exam's over in half an hour and you go, 'how are we going to answer this one?"'

Italy yet to name climate envoy

Friday 22 October 2021 15:37 , Tom Batchelor

Italy has still not found a special envoy to represent it at the upcoming summit because the ministers responsible for the appointment cannot agree on a name, reports Reuters.

Italian climate activists cheered when a government decree in June promised the appointment of the special envoy, following the example of other countries which have named prominent figures to the job such as John Kerry in the United States.

The role would ensure “more effective Italian participation at international events and negotiations on the environment and climate change,” read the decree.

Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani were given joint responsibility for the appointment, which Mr Di Maio said would be made by September.

Three weeks after the deadline nobody has been named, as Italy prepares to host a G20 leaders’ meeting next week where climate change will top the agenda, immediately followed by the UN Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow.

“The delay in appointing the special envoy before the crucial G20 Summit and Cop26 is a big missed opportunity,” said Luca Bergamaschi, co-founder of Italian climate think-tank ECCO.

A senior government source said a few candidates were currently being vetted but the appointment was unlikely to come before the Cop26.

“I don’t think the envoy could add much at this stage, the preparatory job for the Cop is already done and the negotiating team is at work,” the source said.

Man cycles across wind turbine blade to raise awareness of climate change

Friday 22 October 2021 14:20 , Tom Batchelor

A man has cycled across the blade of a wind turbine in order to raise awareness of climate change.

Ahead of UN climate change conference Cop26, Scottish pro-cyclist Danny Macaskill cycled across the turbine, a stunt which has never been attempted before.

He also did a series of tricks at a renewable energy factory, to demonstrate how much of the world’s energy that currently originates from renewable sources.

“It’s so high up it doesn’t feel high, it’s unrealistically high up,” Mr Macaskill said.

“I will say that fibreglass and bike tyres don’t go that well together, it’s slippy stuff.

“I made this film for Cop26 and I didn’t realise how abundant renewable energy is ... It’s a good feeling knowing renewable energy is taking off and the balance is changing.

“Hopefully the planet can start healing.”

How summit will affect travel in Glasgow

Friday 22 October 2021 13:40 , Tom Batchelor

More than 25,000 delegates are set to descend on Glasgow in less than two weeks when the Cop26 climate summit which was delayed by Covid-19 finally begins.

So Transport Scotland has warned that the scale of the event “is unprecedented in terms of impact on the transport network”.

To accommodate a conference of this magnitude, organisers in Glasgow have had to plan carefully to mitigate the disruption, with the first road closures coming into effect a full week before Cop26 kicks off, running from Saturday 23 October until Monday 15 November.

Here are the full details:

How Cop26 summit will affect travel in Glasgow next month

Cop26 will be an ‘embarrassment mechanism’ for world’s biggest polluters, says Ed Miliband

Friday 22 October 2021 13:03 , Tom Batchelor

The Cop26 summit should act as a “large embarrassment mechanism” for the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitters, according to Ed Miliband.

Speaking at an event hosted by The Independent on Tuesday, the shadow business secretary said that big polluters such as China, India and Australia must arrive at the UN climate summit starting at the end of this month with tougher emissions plans.

More concrete action from big emitters will be key to “closing the gap” between the world’s current climate pledges and what is needed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, the aspiration set by countries under the Paris Agreement, he said.

Here is the story:

Cop26 an ‘embarrassment mechanism’ for world’s biggest polluters, says Ed Miliband

Scottish Green Party plans Cop26 events

Friday 22 October 2021 12:43 , Tom Batchelor

The Scottish Green Party will be taking part in the Global Day of Action mass mobilisation march in Glasgow on Saturday 6 November – mid-way through the climate summit.

Speeches and music are planned before a march through the city.

The party said: “We will meet at the GreenHub, Renfield St Stephen’s Centre on Bath Street at 11am for a 11.15am departure to Kelvingrove Park.

“Those familiar with Glasgow can join us at the Kelvin statue from 12pm for speeches and music before the main march.”

It is one of a number of side events being planned during the conference.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will hold an “alternative Cop26” aimed at pushing for radical action on the climate crisis.

The left-wing MP said a series of events would challenge the “weak politicians” who will be discussing targets to cut carbon emissions in Glasgow.

Will China’s Xi Jinping attend Cop26?

Friday 22 October 2021 12:23 , Tom Batchelor

As speculation continues over which world leaders will attend the climate summit, perhaps the greatest concern of all is whether Chinese premier Xi Jinping will fly into Glasgow.

If not, the superpower will be represented by veteran climate envoy Xie Zhenhua, who has already held preliminary talks with Mr Sharma and US president Joe Biden’s special envoy John Kerry, a gesture widely interpreted as a positive indication of Beijing’s commitment to the mission.

“We still need to wait for the information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and only after they make an announcement will we tell you,” Mr Xie told Reuters on 19 October when asked whether Mr Xi would be attending.

Read more here:

Will China’s Xi Jinping attend Cop26?

Covid rules bar many Pacific island leaders from Cop26

Friday 22 October 2021 12:03 , Tom Batchelor

One in three of the smaller Pacific island nations will be unable to send delegates to Cop26 because of the UK’s strict Covid travel rules, leaving those who stand to lose the most from the heating planet effectively excluded from face-to-face discussions.

Thirteen states plan to send a officials to the summit but seven will not, The Guardian reported.

The paper quoted Ralph Regenvanu, opposition leader of Vanuatu, as saying: “It’s a big issue for the Pacific, the fact that we will not be able to be there in person as we would like.

“If we go back to Paris [Cop21], it was the personal presence of Pacific leaders that really made a change and brought us to the one point five degree figure that we have now in the agreement.”

Gordon Brown: Cop26 will fail unless rich nations keep their promises to the vulnerable

Friday 22 October 2021 11:43 , Tom Batchelor

Uniting all parts of the world around a shared mission is indeed, a pre-condition of further progress, writes Gordon Brown.

Prosperity has to be shared to be sustained and Cop26 must become Co-op26.

This much needed, but still far too elusive, cooperation will only happen if we start to honour our responsibilities to each other.

Read his full comment piece here:

Cop26 will fail unless nations act together, we cannot afford division | Gordon Brown

Glasgow to clean up streets before world descends on city

Friday 22 October 2021 11:23 , Tom Batchelor

Refuse workers in Glasgow are set to go on strike during the international conference if a pay dispute is not resolved.

With the threat of rubbish-strewn streets hanging over officials, Glasgow City Council has said it will focus on dealing with fly-tipping ahead of the summit.

Leader Susan Aitken acknowledged there were “hotspots” where dumping is a particular problem with just days to go until the city hosts world leaders.

But Ms Aitken, who leads the council’s SNP administration, said she was still confident the city can be “spruced up” and looking great by the time of the summit.

She said: “There are still some spots, hotspots, where we have particular challenges that are largely down to issues like fly-tipping.

“Environmental crime, to be honest, is what we’re having to respond to.”

What if Cop26 doesn’t meet expectations?

Friday 22 October 2021 11:03 , Tom Batchelor

The absence of President Xi of China (the world’s most polluting nation) and of President Putin (Russia is still a superpower in hydrocarbon resources) would fatally damage the prospects of a binding agreement, writes Sean O’Grady.

Here is his take on whether Cop will be a flop:

What if Cop26 doesn’t meet expectations?

South Korean president will attend Cop26

Friday 22 October 2021 10:39 , Tom Batchelor

South Korean President Moon Jae-in will travel to Europe next week to attend the G20 summit in Rome followed by the UN climate conference in Glasgow, his office said.

South Korea is one of the world’s most fossil-fuel reliant economies, with coal making up over 41 per cent of the country’s electricity mix and renewable power just over 6 per cent.

Last year, Mr Moon pledged to go carbon neutral by 2050 and unveiled a Green New Deal to create jobs and boost economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

This month he vowed to raise its emissions-reduction goal to 40 per cent of 2018 levels by 2030 from the previous 26.3 per cent.

Truss will encourage India to take more climate action during two-day visit

Friday 22 October 2021 10:23 , Tom Batchelor

Liz Truss will use a two-day visit to India to announce a series of technology and infrastructure deals aimed at boosting trade links and combating climate change.

In the run-up to the Cop26 climate summit, the foreign secretary will also urge India’s environment minister Bhupender Yadav to commit to more ambitious goals on emission reduction.

Yesterday, the country’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, was confirmed as an attendee at the event.

But with India’s reliance on coal and other polluting industries, pressure will be on Delhi to commit to bold action.

Cycling a ‘planet-saving alternative yet receives a fraction of the investment of major roads projects'

Friday 22 October 2021 10:05 , Tom Batchelor

Campaigners are urging governments to properly invest in cycling as a simple, cheap and effective means of tackling the climate, pollution and health crises the world is facing.

Encouraging people to travel by bicycle will be crucial to making cities greener, more pleasant places to live, they say.

But currently cycle infrastructure attracts a “fraction” of the money spent on other, polluting forms of transport.

Cycling UK is among the groups hoping Cop26 will lead to an uptick in spending on infrastructure for bicycles.

Cop26 host Queen Elizabeth in good spirits after hospital stay

Friday 22 October 2021 09:43 , Tom Batchelor

Queen Elizabeth has spent a night in hospital for the first time in years for what Buckingham Palace termed “preliminary investigations”, but was said to be in good spirits and back at work at Windsor Castle on Thursday.

The world’s oldest and longest-reigning monarch cancelled an official trip to Northern Ireland on Wednesday.

But there was no suggestion future engagements would also be shelved.

Her next major engagement is at the end of the month when she is due to welcome world leaders at the opening of Cop26.

Don’t cut foreign aid, climate experts warn UK

Friday 22 October 2021 09:23 , Tom Batchelor

A group of respected climate change experts have written to Boris Johnson urging him not to cut overseas aid spending ahead of the Cop26 summit.

They argue that doing so would send the wrong signal at a time when poorer countries need the UK’s help to build defences against the worst effects of the warming planet.

The letter, seen by the BBC, states: “As ‘Friends of COP’ we are writing to you to express our deep concern at the prospect of further UK aid cuts in the final few days before COP26.

“The ability of the UK to act as a genuine, trusted partner for developing countries is of crucial importance to COP26’s success.

“Further implied cuts to overseas aid at the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) would send a signal that the UK is neither committed to, nor serious about, enabling a green global recovery from the pandemic, nor improving the resilience of the most vulnerable to climate change.”

Archbishop of Canterbury urges world leaders to ‘be bolder’ at Cop26

Friday 22 October 2021 09:03 , Tom Batchelor

The Archbishop of Canterbury has urged world leaders meeting for crucial Cop26 talks in Glasgow to “be bolder” as they seek to tackle the climate crisis.

Ahead of the UN climate summit being hosted by the UK, Justin Welby warned that a failure to curb dangerous climate change risked driving severe conflict around the world.

Dr Welby, who worked in the oil industry before being ordained, said the fossil fuel era was, and must be, coming to an end.

But he warned the transition away from coal, oil and gas had to be fair to poorer people in the UK and to those in developing countries.

Asked what his message to world leaders meeting for the summit would be, Dr Welby told the PA news agency: “Be bolder, be more generous, be just to the poorest.

“Make it work, it’s in all our interests and the world is behind you making it work.

“Don’t lose your nerve.”