COP26 ‘not a talking a shop’ Alok Sharma warns leaders ahead of Glasgow summit
World leaders must come together for our planet and deliver in Glasgow on the promise made at COP21 in Paris, COP26 President-designate Alok Sharma has said today in a major speech at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris.
The landmark Paris Agreement was reached at COP in 2015, which committed countries to avoid the worst effects of climate change by limiting global temperature rises well below 2C, aiming for 1.5C.
He said temperatures had already risen by 1.1 degrees above pre-industrial levels, and described incidents of extreme weather and famine as evidence of climate change.
Mr Sharma pointed to progress made since the “landmark” Paris Agreement and outlined the importance of leaders taking action at COP26 in the UK later this month.
He said climate action plans to significantly reduce emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by mid-century, and to support adaptation to tackle climate threats must be delivered, including agreements on reducing coal, electric cars, protecting trees and reducing methane emissions to “keep 1.5 alive”.
Mr Sharma will echo the call from the countries most vulnerable to climate change for all G20 countries and major emitters of greenhouse gases to come forward with enhanced, ambitious 2030 climate action plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions. G20 leaders will meet in Rome at the end of this month.
He will also urge world leaders to take the lead from those climate vulnerable countries which are taking action in the most difficult circumstances to protect the planet and its people.
President-designate Mr Sharma warned leaders that the summit will not be “a photo op or a talking shop. It must be the forum where we put the world on track to deliver on climate. And that is down to leaders. It is leaders who made a promise to the world in this great city six years ago. And it is leaders that must honour it.
“Responsibility rests with each and every country. And we must all play our part. Because on climate, the world will succeed, or fail as one.”
He said new commitments must be reached on public and private finance to support the countries most vulnerable to climate change and progress on adaptation to the effects of our changing climate, accounting for the loss and damage that it can cause.
He said volatile crises such as the ongoing gas shortages simply emphasise the fact that a transition to a green economy is required and that coal should be “kicked into the past where it belongs”.
He also referred to the work done ahead of COP26 to make it the most inclusive COP to date, despite the challenges of hosting an event during the COVID-19 pandemic. He set out the measures that will be in place to make the Summit safe, including the vaccine offer to developing countries, daily testing regime and social distancing in the venue.
On this, he explained: “It will be an extraordinary COP in extraordinary times. But collectively, we must pull together to make it work. Forging unity from the unfamiliar. Because we have no choice but to deliver. Each country must step-up. And as COP26 President I will ensure that every voice is heard. That the smallest nations are sitting face to face with the world’s great powers. As equal parties to the process.”
He concluded with the phrase: “Paris promised, Glasgow must deliver!”
