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COP26: China and India must explain themselves, says Sharma COP26: China and India must explain themselves, says Sharma
(33 minutes later)
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Sharma: China and India will have to explain actions to climate-vulnerable countriesSharma: China and India will have to explain actions to climate-vulnerable countries
China and India will have to explain themselves to climate-vulnerable nations, COP26 President Alok Sharma has said as the summit ends.China and India will have to explain themselves to climate-vulnerable nations, COP26 President Alok Sharma has said as the summit ends.
It comes after the two nations pushed for the language on coal to change from "phase out" to "phase down" in the deal agreed in Glasgow.It comes after the two nations pushed for the language on coal to change from "phase out" to "phase down" in the deal agreed in Glasgow.
But Mr Sharma insisted the "historic" deal "keeps 1.5C within reach".But Mr Sharma insisted the "historic" deal "keeps 1.5C within reach".
It is the first ever climate deal that plans explicitly to reduce coal - the worst fossil fuel for greenhouse gases.It is the first ever climate deal that plans explicitly to reduce coal - the worst fossil fuel for greenhouse gases.
The summit, which was initially due to end on Friday, had to go into overtime before a deal was agreed late on Saturday - following the late intervention from India to water down the language on coal.
Later on Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will join Mr Sharma to give a Downing Street news conference on the outcome of the climate summit.
Live: Coal pledge in COP a huge step forward - UN climate bossLive: Coal pledge in COP a huge step forward - UN climate boss
New global climate deal struck in GlasgowNew global climate deal struck in Glasgow
What's been agreed at COP26?What's been agreed at COP26?
Is the UK on track to meet its climate targets?Is the UK on track to meet its climate targets?
Mr Sharma said the deal struck in the Glasgow climate pact was a "fragile win" and urged China and India to "justify" their actions to nations that are more vulnerable to the effects of global warming.Mr Sharma said the deal struck in the Glasgow climate pact was a "fragile win" and urged China and India to "justify" their actions to nations that are more vulnerable to the effects of global warming.
He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "I am going to be calling on everyone to do more.He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show: "I am going to be calling on everyone to do more.
"But as I said, in relation to what happened yesterday, China and India will have to explain themselves and what they did to the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world.""But as I said, in relation to what happened yesterday, China and India will have to explain themselves and what they did to the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world."
He added: "I wouldn't describe what we did yesterday as a failure - it is a historic achievement." Mr Sharma, who had to hold back tears as he closed the summit following the late intervention, added: "I wouldn't describe what we did yesterday as a failure - it is a historic achievement."
The world is currently 1.2C warmer than it was in the 19th Century. One of the main goals set out by COP26 was to ensure we do not go above 1.5C by 2100. One of the main goals set out by COP26 was to ensure we do not go above 1.5C by 2100 - which scientists have said would limit the worst impacts of climate change.
The climate summit had to go into overtime for the deal to be agreed and came to an end late on Saturday. As part of the agreement struck in Glasgow, countries will meet next year to pledge further major carbon cuts with the aim of reaching the 1.5C goal. Current pledges, if fulfilled, will only limit global warming to about 2.4C.
Scientists have warned if global temperatures rise by more than 1.5C the Earth is likely to experience severe effects such as millions more people being exposed to extreme heat. The world is currently 1.2C warmer than it was in the 19th Century.
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Alok Sharma fights back tears as Glasgow Climate Pact reached Alok Sharma fights back tears as Glasgow climate pact reached
Under the Glasgow climate pact:Under the Glasgow climate pact:
Countries were asked to republish their climate action plans by the end of next year, with more ambitious emissions reduction targets for 2030Countries were asked to republish their climate action plans by the end of next year, with more ambitious emissions reduction targets for 2030
There is an emphasis on the need for developed countries to increase the money they give to those already suffering the effects of climate change - beyond the current $100bn annual targetThere is an emphasis on the need for developed countries to increase the money they give to those already suffering the effects of climate change - beyond the current $100bn annual target
The language about coal has been included for the first time ever in a global climate dealThe language about coal has been included for the first time ever in a global climate deal
A pledge in a previous draft to "phase out" coal was instead watered down to a commitment to "phase down" coalA pledge in a previous draft to "phase out" coal was instead watered down to a commitment to "phase down" coal
The final deal agreed on has been met with some criticism.The final deal agreed on has been met with some criticism.
Ed Miliband, shadow business and energy secretary, told the Sky News' Trevor Phillips programme that "keeping 1.5 degrees alive is frankly in intensive care".Ed Miliband, shadow business and energy secretary, told the Sky News' Trevor Phillips programme that "keeping 1.5 degrees alive is frankly in intensive care".
He said: "The task of the world is to halve global emissions over the coming decade, that's by 2030, that's what the scientists tell us is necessary to keep 1.5 degrees alive.He said: "The task of the world is to halve global emissions over the coming decade, that's by 2030, that's what the scientists tell us is necessary to keep 1.5 degrees alive.
"And the truth about Glasgow, despite some progress, is that the world is only probably about 20% or 25% of the way to that goal.""And the truth about Glasgow, despite some progress, is that the world is only probably about 20% or 25% of the way to that goal."
But Mr Miliband commended Mr Sharma on his efforts.But Mr Miliband commended Mr Sharma on his efforts.
Whatever my view of the shortcomings of this deal, Alok Sharma has shown himself to be a person of decency, integrity and commitment as #COP26 President.Whatever my view of the shortcomings of this deal, Alok Sharma has shown himself to be a person of decency, integrity and commitment as #COP26 President.
The UN's climate change chief, Patricia Espinosa, was optimistic about the agreement.The UN's climate change chief, Patricia Espinosa, was optimistic about the agreement.
Speaking to the BBC, she said: "I would like to underline that the huge step forward in our negotiations was the fact that for the first time in this context we mentioned coal and fossil fuels."Speaking to the BBC, she said: "I would like to underline that the huge step forward in our negotiations was the fact that for the first time in this context we mentioned coal and fossil fuels."
Ms Espinosa added that "we need to also balance out the social consequences for so many people around the world, especially in the poor countries".Ms Espinosa added that "we need to also balance out the social consequences for so many people around the world, especially in the poor countries".
Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights activist, said on the Andrew Marr Show that "leaders must prioritise people and the planet over profits".Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights activist, said on the Andrew Marr Show that "leaders must prioritise people and the planet over profits".
A recent report by the Malala Fund organisation suggested that four million girls would be missing out on education due to global warming in 2021.A recent report by the Malala Fund organisation suggested that four million girls would be missing out on education due to global warming in 2021.
The report showed that girls from low and lower-middle income countries were prevented from going to school due to preventable natural disasters like floods and droughts.The report showed that girls from low and lower-middle income countries were prevented from going to school due to preventable natural disasters like floods and droughts.
A report by the Climate Action Tracker group calculated that at the current rate, the world was heading for 2.4C of warming by 2100. And a report by the Climate Action Tracker group has calculated that at the current rate, the world is heading for 2.4C of warming by 2100.
If no action was taken, scientists believe global warming could exceed 4C in the future. This could lead to devastating heatwaves, droughts, extreme rainfall and floods. As a result, millions of people could lose their homes to rising sea levels.If no action was taken, scientists believe global warming could exceed 4C in the future. This could lead to devastating heatwaves, droughts, extreme rainfall and floods. As a result, millions of people could lose their homes to rising sea levels.
In addition to this, the change in climate could lead to irreversible damage to our ecosystem - with the extinction of animal and plant species.In addition to this, the change in climate could lead to irreversible damage to our ecosystem - with the extinction of animal and plant species.
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Climate stripes visualisation courtesy of Prof Ed Hawkins and University of Reading.