This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59269886
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 15 | Version 16 |
|---|---|
| COP26: Climate summit approaches 'moment of truth' | COP26: Climate summit approaches 'moment of truth' |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Scientists say extreme weather events, such as severe flooding, are becoming more frequent because of climate change | Scientists say extreme weather events, such as severe flooding, are becoming more frequent because of climate change |
| The president of the COP26 climate summit said the talks had reached a "moment of truth for our planet". | The president of the COP26 climate summit said the talks had reached a "moment of truth for our planet". |
| As the meeting entered its final hours, he urged delegates to agree to a draft agreement aimed at averting dangerous global warming. | As the meeting entered its final hours, he urged delegates to agree to a draft agreement aimed at averting dangerous global warming. |
| But he faced late objections from India and others to a clause on cutting fossil fuels, and calls for more financial help for developing nations. | But he faced late objections from India and others to a clause on cutting fossil fuels, and calls for more financial help for developing nations. |
| It's still not clear what needs to happen for these issues to be resolved. | It's still not clear what needs to happen for these issues to be resolved. |
| "You all know that the world is willing us on to be bold - to be ambitious" said the UK's Alok Sharma, who is chairing the talks. | "You all know that the world is willing us on to be bold - to be ambitious" said the UK's Alok Sharma, who is chairing the talks. |
| "So much rests on the decisions we collectively take today," he told delegates, urging them to get on board with the draft plan published earlier on Saturday. | "So much rests on the decisions we collectively take today," he told delegates, urging them to get on board with the draft plan published earlier on Saturday. |
| The key achievements of the draft so far are the inclusion of a commitment to phase-out coal, re-visiting emissions-cutting plans on a more regular basis and increased financial help for developing countries. | The key achievements of the draft so far are the inclusion of a commitment to phase-out coal, re-visiting emissions-cutting plans on a more regular basis and increased financial help for developing countries. |
| But India's environment minister Bhupender Yadav told the meeting that "consensus remains elusive". | But India's environment minister Bhupender Yadav told the meeting that "consensus remains elusive". |
| EXPLAINER: A really simple guide to climate change | EXPLAINER: A really simple guide to climate change |
| CONTEXT: How do we know climate change is caused by humans? | CONTEXT: How do we know climate change is caused by humans? |
| In an apparent reference to coal, he said: "Targeting any particular sector is uncalled for. Every country will arrive at net zero as per its national circumstances." | In an apparent reference to coal, he said: "Targeting any particular sector is uncalled for. Every country will arrive at net zero as per its national circumstances." |
| "Developing countries have a right to their fair share of the global carbon budget and are entitled to the responsible use of fossil fuels," he added. | |
| He also objected to proposals to end "inefficient fossil fuel subsidies" - financial benefits provided to producers of oil, gas and coal. | He also objected to proposals to end "inefficient fossil fuel subsidies" - financial benefits provided to producers of oil, gas and coal. |
| China, which is also understood to have raised concerns about the wording, said it hoped that "all parties will show excellent flexibility". | China, which is also understood to have raised concerns about the wording, said it hoped that "all parties will show excellent flexibility". |
| South Africa's negotiator backed objections over the section on fossil fuels saying: "We don't feel that one size fits all is a good approach." | South Africa's negotiator backed objections over the section on fossil fuels saying: "We don't feel that one size fits all is a good approach." |
| But Mr Sharma said the text was a "balanced package". | But Mr Sharma said the text was a "balanced package". |
| US climate envoy John Kerry said: "If it's a good negotiation all the parties are uncomfortable. And this, I think, has been a good negotiation." | US climate envoy John Kerry said: "If it's a good negotiation all the parties are uncomfortable. And this, I think, has been a good negotiation." |
| Fires and other extreme weather phenomena can become the norm if temperature rises are not capped | Fires and other extreme weather phenomena can become the norm if temperature rises are not capped |
| Lia Nicholson, from Antigua and Barbuda's delegation, and speaking on behalf of small island states, said they were "extremely disappointed" by the lack of progress on loss and damage - the principle that richer countries, which bear the main responsibility for the global warming, should pay compensation to poorer ones because of climate impacts. | Lia Nicholson, from Antigua and Barbuda's delegation, and speaking on behalf of small island states, said they were "extremely disappointed" by the lack of progress on loss and damage - the principle that richer countries, which bear the main responsibility for the global warming, should pay compensation to poorer ones because of climate impacts. |
| She said: "We will express our grievances in due course," but added: "We implore all parties to support our common outcome and move forward." | She said: "We will express our grievances in due course," but added: "We implore all parties to support our common outcome and move forward." |
| Promises in Glasgow will not be enough to limit global warming to 1.5C. It is a key part of the 2015 Paris agreement that most countries signed up to. | Promises in Glasgow will not be enough to limit global warming to 1.5C. It is a key part of the 2015 Paris agreement that most countries signed up to. |
| Scientists say that limiting temperature rise to 1.5C compared to pre-industrial levels will protect us from the most dangerous impacts of climate change. | Scientists say that limiting temperature rise to 1.5C compared to pre-industrial levels will protect us from the most dangerous impacts of climate change. |
| Meeting the goal requires global emissions to be cut by 45% by 2030 and to zero overall by 2050. One example of the impact of global temperature rise above 2C is the death of virtually all tropical coral reefs, scientists say. | Meeting the goal requires global emissions to be cut by 45% by 2030 and to zero overall by 2050. One example of the impact of global temperature rise above 2C is the death of virtually all tropical coral reefs, scientists say. |
| One estimate by the Climate Action Tracker calculated that the planet is still set to warm by 2.4C if the current pledges are all met. | One estimate by the Climate Action Tracker calculated that the planet is still set to warm by 2.4C if the current pledges are all met. |
| In the room: Malcolm Senior at COP26 | In the room: Malcolm Senior at COP26 |
| At COPs, it often all comes down to a huddle. Inside the main Plenary Room, the days of negotiations turn into a face-to-face discussion, like merchants in a souk. | At COPs, it often all comes down to a huddle. Inside the main Plenary Room, the days of negotiations turn into a face-to-face discussion, like merchants in a souk. |
| Around them, delegates cluster, keen to be there at the moment when key differences between the groups or countries are resolved. | Around them, delegates cluster, keen to be there at the moment when key differences between the groups or countries are resolved. |
| This afternoon, US climate envoy John Kerry and chief US negotiator Sue Biniaz stood toe-to-toe with Ahmadou Sebory Toure, the delegate from Guinea, who also represents the G77 group of nations, a large part of the developing world. | This afternoon, US climate envoy John Kerry and chief US negotiator Sue Biniaz stood toe-to-toe with Ahmadou Sebory Toure, the delegate from Guinea, who also represents the G77 group of nations, a large part of the developing world. |
| At stake, how much money the developed world may have to pay to the developing world to compensate for the loss and damage done to developing countries because of climate change. | At stake, how much money the developed world may have to pay to the developing world to compensate for the loss and damage done to developing countries because of climate change. |
| Interest in that ends when Mr Kerry sweeps across the room to talk to the UK President of the COP, Alok Sharma and his chief negotiator, Archie Young. | Interest in that ends when Mr Kerry sweeps across the room to talk to the UK President of the COP, Alok Sharma and his chief negotiator, Archie Young. |
| Then, all eyes move to the EU's chief negotiator, Frans Timmermans, as his team work out the repercussions of the G77 huddle. | Then, all eyes move to the EU's chief negotiator, Frans Timmermans, as his team work out the repercussions of the G77 huddle. |
| Eventually, the COP chairman decides enough is enough and further discussions must take place elsewhere. The session ends and so do the huddles. For now. | Eventually, the COP chairman decides enough is enough and further discussions must take place elsewhere. The session ends and so do the huddles. For now. |
| But experts say the 1.5C target is still achievable: at COP15 in Copenhagen more than a decade ago, estimates suggested the world was heading for between 3.5 and 4.2C of warming. | But experts say the 1.5C target is still achievable: at COP15 in Copenhagen more than a decade ago, estimates suggested the world was heading for between 3.5 and 4.2C of warming. |
| If the references to phasing out coal and fossil fuel subsidies remain in the final deal, it would be an historic moment in climate negotiations. | If the references to phasing out coal and fossil fuel subsidies remain in the final deal, it would be an historic moment in climate negotiations. |
| Gabriela Bucher, Oxfam's international executive director said: "Clearly some world leaders think they aren't living on the same planet as the rest of us. It seems no amount of fires, rising sea levels or droughts will bring them to their senses to stop increasing emissions at the expense of humanity. | |
| "The world's poorest have done the least to cause the climate emergency, yet are the ones left struggling to survive while also footing the bill. | |
| Climate finance, or the money promised by richer countries to poorer countries to fight climate change, continues to be one of the most contentious points. In 2009, developed nations pledged to provide $100bn per year to emerging economies by 2020. But this target was not met. | Climate finance, or the money promised by richer countries to poorer countries to fight climate change, continues to be one of the most contentious points. In 2009, developed nations pledged to provide $100bn per year to emerging economies by 2020. But this target was not met. |
| This video can not be played | This video can not be played |
| To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. | To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. |
| Life at 50C: Lytton - the Canadian town that burned down in a day | Life at 50C: Lytton - the Canadian town that burned down in a day |
| What has been agreed at COP26? | What has been agreed at COP26? |
| A series of agreements between groups of countries have been announced so far: | A series of agreements between groups of countries have been announced so far: |
| In a surprise announcement, the US and China agreed to work together this decade to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C | In a surprise announcement, the US and China agreed to work together this decade to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C |
| More than 100 world leaders promised to end and reverse deforestation by 2030, including Brazil, home to the Amazon rainforest | More than 100 world leaders promised to end and reverse deforestation by 2030, including Brazil, home to the Amazon rainforest |
| The US and the EU announced a global partnership to cut emissions of the greenhouse gas methane by 2030 - reducing methane in the atmosphere is seen as one of the best ways to quickly reduce global warming | The US and the EU announced a global partnership to cut emissions of the greenhouse gas methane by 2030 - reducing methane in the atmosphere is seen as one of the best ways to quickly reduce global warming |
| More than 40 countries committed to move away from coal - but the world's biggest users like China and the US did not sign up | More than 40 countries committed to move away from coal - but the world's biggest users like China and the US did not sign up |
| A new alliance that commits countries to setting a date to ending oil and gas use - and halting granting new licences for exploration - was launched | A new alliance that commits countries to setting a date to ending oil and gas use - and halting granting new licences for exploration - was launched |
| Why the COP26 climate summit is important | Why the COP26 climate summit is important |
| Simple guide to climate change | Simple guide to climate change |
| What will climate change look like for you? | What will climate change look like for you? |
| Four ways to reduce your emissions | Four ways to reduce your emissions |
| Life where it's too hot to work, too hot to sleep | Life where it's too hot to work, too hot to sleep |