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COP26 summit: LIVE coverage

Credit: Thred
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World leaders and official delegates have arrived in Glasgow for COP26. Convening on all things climate change, will we see finally see genuine action in what’s billed as a vital decade for the planet? Keep hitting that refresh button for live updates.

  • (06:00pm) That’s it for Thred’s official coverage of the conference, but there will be more to discuss in the weekend roundup. Whether or not the summit has been a success is still up for debate.

 

  • In the meantime, be sure to check out our daily Instagram COP DROP series.

 

  • (05:15pm) Scrap the 6pm deadline, it’s going to be a ‘long night.’ Reporters have revealed some ministers have brought sleeping bags and all are determined to ‘make sure everyone gets a fair deal.’ Let’s just hope something sketchy doesn’t come out as we’re all sleeping.

 

  • (04:40pm) Alok Sharma says that critical issues are still outstanding hours from the supposed 6pm deadline. Having spent the last three hours hosting a planery hall session, he now says he’s back in the negotiations. ‘As new texts emerge, you’ll get to see them,’ he states.

PA
Credit: PA

 

  • (03:45pm) Hundreds of protesters are marching through the COP26 venue and the streets. A group of indigenous activists are leading a procession in the Blue Zone now including Extinction Rebellion and Fridays for Future members.

 

  • Outside the venue, people are attempting to scale fences to gain access. ‘It was such ab important COP, but it was not different from any of the others,’ says Brazilian activist Nayara Castiglioni.

  • (03:20pm) China says the draft text ‘had some improvements’ but states that certain technical aspects around mitigation, adaption, and finance are missing.

 

  • Concluding, negotiator Zhao Yingman said: ‘China is willing to support the UK presidency in agreeing on an outcome that is science-based but also rules-based, that has balanced elements of mitigation, adaptation and finance and has appropriate wording.’

 

  • (03:00pm) While there’s a fairly positive outlook on coal and fossil fuel mitigation, conservationists are concerned about the text’s current form. Tom Stephens at the Fauna & Flora charity has criticised a lack of phrasing inspiring ‘vital action’ and a general feeling of ‘awareness and acceptance.’

 

  • ‘Ultimately, while we see some hopeful signals in the document, we are concerned around the weakened language within this latest draft,’ he says.

  • (02:10pm) US envoy John Kerry has described a ‘spirit of determination’ to get a deal done and to ‘get it done well.’ Specifically talking about the wording around mitigation, he states that it’s ‘imperative’ the language doesn’t get weaker before the summit’s closing.

 

  • (01:40pm) It appears delegates are getting closer to having a deal done. Two nations considered to have held up progression at times – in Saudi Arabia and Russia – are now stating that the draft is ‘workable’ and ‘well balanced.’ Bear in mind we’re talking about 1.5C.

 

  • (01:30pm) Rumours that COP26 would likely be extended have been squashed. Alok Sharma says it’s his ‘sincere intention’ to round off today with but a ‘small number of key issues’ to fix on the draft.

 

  • (12:40pm) Founded of climate action group Destination Zero has joined Greenpeace and WWF in claiming that the draft climate doesn’t do enough – they’re ‘weasel words’ as she put it.

 

  • The text is watered down with phrases like ‘unabated’ and ‘inefficient’ which ‘means nothing.’ ‘We have seen no progress on eliminating those subsidies since we’ve had that language,’ she states.

 

  • (11:50am) Under 30s are guaranteed to ‘witness the total destabilisation of life as we know it’ according to Chair of the Elders Mary Robinson. She spoke of fracturing economies, crop failures, and hundreds of millions of uninhabitable regions – if we indeed reach 2.4 degrees of warming.

  • (10:50am) Oxfam campaigners are posing as ineffective fire fighters wearing mardi gras heads of world leaders. They’re stood with tiny buckets and water pistols next to a pyre on which the Earth is burning.

 

  • Gabriela Bucher, Oxfam international executive director, said: ‘Years from now, how do today’s biggest emitters want to be remembered? As those who let arsonists torch the planet? Or as those who led us to a world of safety and survival?’

  • (10:15am) Climate activists are upping the ante for the final day. Around Glasgow, 60 ‘gas guzzling’ SUVs have had their tyres deflated, and makeshift traffic violation tickets have been slapped on windshields.

 

  • ‘Your SUV contributes to the second biggest cause of carbon emissions rise in the last decade. This is why we have disarmed your car by deflating one or more of its tyres… action is required from you: Go Public Transport.’

 

  • (09:40am) Michael Jacobs, an expert in the nuances of legal policy, claims the newest draft is ‘stronger than it was’ overall. Despite our previous point, he believes altering language in certain instances has made the text more assertive.

 

  • In legal terms, changing words liked ‘urged’ into ‘requested’ gives a stronger instruction to act and leaves little wiggle room for governments.

 

  • (08:30am) Nicola Sturgeon says a deal is ‘inching forward’ and that she hopes the previous wording for phasing out coal and fossil fuels will return. She did concede that as a young person, she’d believe this summit is ‘not good enough’ right now.

 

  • (07:30am) A draft of the COP agreement has been published, and boy is it underwhelming. Tempering calls to end coal and fossil fuels, the wording of the bill has changed. In the previous iteration this item read, ‘Accelerate the phasing out of coal and subsidies for fossil fuel.’ Now, it reads, ‘The phase out of unabated coal power and of inefficient subsidies for fossil fuels.’

 

  • Saudi Arabia, Russia, India, and others are believed to have pushed back hard against the wording in the previous draft. The proposal is still being worked on.

 

  • (06:30am) After two weeks of negotiations, COP26 is scheduled to end at 06:00pm this evening. Will a deal be agreeable for all delegates or could the conference overrun? time will tell.

 

COP26 – Day 12 (LIVE)

 

  • (05:00pm) Truthfully, it’s not been the most positive day for climate action, but reports that COP26 is likely to extend beyond the deadline are looking increasingly plausible.

 

  • For the day’s highlights check out our daily COP DROP series on Instagram.

 

 

  • (04:25pm) Ugandan activist Vanessa Nakate claims that young people aren’t seeing ‘the success that is being applauded at the summit.’ As delegates scramble to complete the bill, she believes that this year ‘will be no different’ to previous COPs, and that emissions will continue to rise.

 

  • She said the science was ‘unequivocal’ about reducing carbon emissions and warned that the planet was ‘on the verge of the abyss’.

 

 

  • (04:15pm) Extinction Rebellion have dressed as corpses and staged a protest in front of the COP26 grounds. They lay next to a tombstone which reads ‘There are 5 million annual climate-related deaths worldwide, while there are 70,000 in Europe.’

 

  • (03:40pm) Oxfam’s climate policy adviser Lyndsay Walsh is ‘disappointed’ by the UK’s absence from an alliance to phase out oil and gas production. ‘The UK may have led the way on committing to net zero emissions, but it must now address the epic contradiction of continuing to grant oil and gas licenses in the North Sea,’ she says.

 

 

  • (03:00pm) It’s starting to sound like panic stations. Sharma has stressed that ‘time is running out.’  Negotiations around article six and finance are set to ‘accelerate’ in the short time left. ‘We still have a monumental challenge ahead of us,’ he says.#

 

  • (02:20pm) EU climate policy chief Frans Timmermans says we’re ‘still too far away’ from 1.5 degrees despite the ‘vast majority’ of countries ‘supporting this goal.’ As it stands, humanity is edging closer to 2 degrees.

 

  • On the new alliance between China and the US, he stated the importance of ‘two major emitters’ coming together, but believes EU plans ‘goes way beyond’ what the pair have agreed.

 

  • (02:00pm) To the delight of Nicola Sturgeon, a report from The Glasgow Times suggests that delegates could stay in the city for as long as it takes to prepare a full-proof deal. We’re certainly down for that!

 

 

  • (01:20pm) Ouch! Australia’s only contribution to COP26 is ‘good coffee’ according to ex COP negotiator Richie Merzian. He claims his home nation has more than 100 new fossil fuel projects ‘in the pipeline,’ and that Australia will ‘provide cover for other countries’ not to act on pledges.

 

  • (12:10pm) UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, has bleakly suggested that global warming targets of staying below 1.5 degrees are ‘on life support.’

 

  • ‘The worst thing would be to reach an agreement at all costs by a minimum common denominator that would not respond to the huge challenges we face,’ he said.

 

  • (11:30am) COP chief Alok Sharma has urged countries to come forward with new solutions ‘or we will be literally out of time.’ Ministers will be called for crunch meetings tomorrow at 11am where climate finance and emission reduction plans will be put in place.

 

 

  • (10:30am) Boris Johnson has commended the ‘show of commitment from China and the US’ to keep in touch of 1.5 degrees. We’re still waiting to see the details of their partnership in full, mind.

 

 

  • (10:15am) London mayor Sadiq Khan will be speaking today and reportedly plans to hit out at governments’ ‘delaying tactics’ in reducing emissions at a national level. He will then meet an international cohort of mayors to draw up citywide plans.

 

  • (10:00am) Alok Sharma hinted that a ‘near final text’ for the COP26 draft was on the way overnight, but we now know it’s coming later today. A significant obstacle is finding a way to finance $100 billion for developing countries from 2023 onwards.

 

  • (09:00am) The ever-confusing attitude of Indonesia persists. Having made a U-turn on promises to end deforestation by 2030 – with the nation home to a third of all rainforests – Indonesia has now declared that it will ‘walk the talk’ in relation to forestry commitments.

 

 

  • (07:25am) The UK is reportedly still not achieving meat consumption targets. Previously set out in Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy report, a reduction of 30% by 2030 was outlined to reduce methane emissions. Red meat consumption fell from 2009 to 2019, but consumer demand for white meat has risen… did somebody say double big mac?

 

  • (06:45am) Boris Johnson has returned to Glasgow amid pressure from the likes of Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and business secretary Ed Miliband. They claim the UK hosts must keep the pressure on!

 

 

  • (06:30am) With 68% of the world’s population living in cities by the mid-century, delegates are in attendance for Cities, Regions, and Built Environment Day. Think The Sims, but with potentially grave consequences.

 

COP26 – Day 11 (11/11)

 

  • (06:10pm) That’s a wrap for the day and we’re now 48 hours from the end of the summit. Will delegates meet expectations, or fall short (again)? Check our highlights on Thred’s daily COP DROP Instagram series.

 

 

  • (06:00pm) China’s special envoy for climate change, Xie Zhenhua, says China and the US are releasing a joint declaration on enhancing climate action. Revealing the two have had 30 meetings, he claims the two have developed ‘concrete measures’ to achieve the outlines of the Paris Agreement. More on this tomorrow.

 

  • (05:40pm) Greenpeace UK believes Boris’ speech ‘failed to meet the moment’ in the summit’s late stages. ‘The prime minister has continually failed to grasp that success at COP26 requires real climate action and real leadership from the host,’ says Kate Blagojevic.

 

  • ‘To show solidarity with those most affected by the climate crisis, he’d have publicly signed a cheque helping to meet the needs from developing nations for significant sums of new money to allow them to prepare for and repair the damage from flooding, fires and food shortages.’

 

  • (05:10pm) Turning over to journalists in the room for questions, Boris conceded that climate change ‘won’t be arrested’ in Glasgow, but that ‘we can still achieve’ 1.5 degrees by 2050.

 

  • The final days will see delegates zero in on ‘adaption, mitigation, and finance.’ The PM stated that those who break agreements down the line must be ‘punished.’

 

 

  • (04:40pm) Addressing the summit, Boris Johnson is frustrated that countries have ‘spent six years patting themselves on the back’ for signing the Paris Agreement. ‘Negotiations are getting tough’ and ‘there is still a huge amount to do,’ he says.

 

  • The world is ‘closer than ever to the beginning of the end of anthropogenic climate change,’ he continued. ‘It’s now within reach in the final days. We just need to reach out together and grasp it.’

 

  • (04:25pm) Scotland first minister Nicola Sturgeon echoes her previous position that ministers should stay in Glasgow for ‘as long as it takes’ to get the COP26 deal to where it ‘needs to be.’ At this rate, meeting the level of ambition previously outlined by the week’s end is looking unlikely.

 

 

  • (04:00pm) Saudi’s alleged disruption over collective climate targets is causing concern. All the while, Alok Sharma doesn’t appear willing to alleviate people’s worries. ‘I’m not going to give a running commentary on conversations I’m having with individual parties,’ he says.

 

Reuters
Credit: Reuters

 

  • (03:30pm) Demonstrators are back outside JP Morgan in Glasgow city. Visible everywhere are placards berating colonialism for creating climate change. Alarmed by delegates’ continued clashing of interests, a banner provides a clear message: ‘Save our planet or get out of our way.’

 

 

  • (03:15pm) UK health secretary Sajid Javid says emergency services around the globe are striving to reduce their footprints. All four health services in the UK will become net zero thanks to innovations like the ‘world’s first hydrogen-electric ambulance.’

 

 

 

  • (03:00pm) COP26 president Alok Sharma claims to have had a ‘useful discussion’ with Suadi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al Saud – the details are sparse as of right now though. We’ll expect a full disclosure at some point today.

 

In other big news…

 

  • (02:20pm) Early this morning, activists projected slogans – such as ‘clean gas is a dirty lie’ and ‘cut methane now’ – onto the COP26 buildings from across the river. The group, known as Gastivists, ended up in a back and forth with the venue’s official projectionist and rainbow colours did little to conceal the messages.

 

  • In a show of good humour, the projectionist eventually displayed a ‘go away’ message before coming out to congratulate their adversaries.

 

 

  • (01:50pm) The PM really wants you to know he’s on the train. Currently en route to Glasgow, he’s sent a video message saying that the Environmental Act is striving for ‘extraordinary commitments.’ In particular, the UK is set to announce plans to cut emissions by 88% compared to 1990 levels by 2035.

 

  • Update: now at Glasgow, Boris will ‘urge other leaders to increase their ambition, not just at COP, but in the months that follow.’

 

 

  • (01:30pm) Activists gather at the venue with hands drawn on the palms of their hands. As delegates frantically thrash out plans to meet below 1.5 degrees, they’re reminding them that the youth are watching!

 

 

  • (01:10pm) An agreement has been made by more than 30 countries and six major manufacturers to sell purely carbon neutral vehicles by 2040 and to improve air quality.

 

  •  This includes American giants GM and Ford, as well as Mercedes, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Chinese company BYD.

 

  • (12:20pm) WaterAid policy analyst Jonathan Farr has already slated the COP26 draft agreement as ‘not good enough’ for those most disproportionately affected.

 

  • ‘World leaders have just 72 hours to turn around the life chances of millions of men, women and children across the globe who are facing the deadly impacts of climate change. This is a matter of climate justice and the success of COP26 depends on it,’ he said.

 

  • (11:45am) 19 countries have signed a ‘Clydebank Declaration’ bill to support the creation of zero-emission shipping routes. This will help to regularly open new lanes in the build up to 2030.

 

  • Hopefully, this will address the industry’s big emission dump – which accounts for around 2.8% of all GHGs.

 

 

  • (11:00am) Saudi Arabia’s climate minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman al Saud claims that allegations the country is blocking progress are ‘fabricated.’ When pressed for details, however, the response was as non-committal as it gets: ‘Speak to the presidency.’

 

  • (10:30am) Volkswagen follows its earlier refusal with a statement. The German car giant says it cannot commit to phasing out fossil fuel cars by 2030 and doesn’t know when it can rule them out globally. It believes limited battery capacity and renewable energy grids are barriers to meeting the target.

 

 

  • (09:15am) Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has jabbed at Jeff Bezos, stating that billionaires shouldn’t be able to walk through the doors at COP26 without signing on to pay tax and the same level as a small business struggling with climate change costs.

 

  • ‘It seems we give a platform to people who aren’t doing enough, as far as I can see,’ he said. To be fair, we are talking about the world’s richest man here.

 

  • (08:30am) The UK is hoping to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, and is determined to make electric vehicle charging points as ubiquitous as Britain’s red post boxes or London’s black cabs.

 

  • HGV (lorries) will have to be zero emissions by 2040, while new trucks under 26 tons are aiming for the same goal by 2035.

 

https://twitter.com/adamvaughan_uk/status/1458223125783588869?s=20

 

  • (07:05am) Some of the world’s biggest car manufacturers and vehicle producing nations will not sign a collective deal to cut car emissions by 2040, which is considered a big blow to Boris’ plans.

 

  • Volkswagen and Toyota, among the largest manufacturers, are part of the contingent to refuse the ‘Route Zero’ pledge which will be announced later on.

 

  • (06:40am) A first draft of the UN’s COP26 deal has been published. Negotiators from 200 nations are still working out agreements before Friday, but we’re all watching closely to see if current commitments – and more ambitious commitments – can be met.

 

  • Update: further info urges countries to ‘revisit and strengthen’ their emission reduction targets for 2030 by the end of 2021. Phasing out coal and doubling the collective provision of climate finance for developing countries is also a key aim.

 

  • (06:40am) A first draft of the UN’s COP26 deal has been published. Negotiators from 200 nations are still working out agreements before Friday, but we’re all watching closely to see if current commitments – and more ambitious commitments – can be met.

 

 

  • (06:30am) Day 10 of COP26 is all about clean transport solutions – a tetchy subject given delegates are flying to and fro.

 

COP26 – Day 10 (10/11)

 

  • (05:00pm) That’s a wrap for day nine of the conference, and truthfully, it hasn’t been the most positive one. Time is ticking and public pressure is growing as the summit nears its end. Check the highlights on our COP DROP Instagram series.

 

https://twitter.com/adamvaughan_uk/status/1458102415220215821?s=20

 

  • (04:20pm) Russia’s delegate Alexei Overchuk tells COP26 that countries must ‘set aside differences and join together in resolving challenges.’  Having pledged carbon neutrality by 2060, he reassures attending parties that Russia takes ‘matters seriously and responsibly.’

 

  • (03:45pm) Despite a ‘can do’ attitude from delegates at COP26, summit president Alok Sharma says nations are far apart on some ‘vital issues.’ Calling for a ‘change in gear’ in the final week, he warns that the public will be incensed if pledges are not immediately followed up.

 

 

  • (03:30pm) US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortex insists the US is yet to regain its ‘moral authority’ on climate reform since Donald Trump’s four-year hiatus. Getting its credit back depends on ‘drawing down emissions’ which she believes Biden’s Build Back Better act will do.

 

  • (03:15pm) An update from the Carbon Action Tracker today has warned that global temperature increases will be at 2.4 degrees by 2100, and Greenpeace has labelled the news as ‘devastating.’ The company’s international executive stated: ‘Any sane world would set aside their differences and work with uncompromising vigour for a deal to save our common future.’

 

  • ‘We have until the weekend to turn this around… the ministers shouldn’t leave this city until they’ve nailed that.’

 

 

  • (02:30pm) This morning, Little Amal – a 3.5 metre tall animatronic puppet – arrived in Glasgow as part of its 8,000km travels in support of refugees. Having already appeared in Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, and Belgium, it’s now in the UK.

 

  • Depicting a 10-year-old Syrian child, the puppet is causing quite a stir at the conference. It’s a little creepy, granted, but the message is massively important!

 

 

  • (01:45pm) Sir Patrick Vallance says ‘unprecedented change’ will have to be made to stick to the 1.5 degrees pledge. ‘It isn’t plucked from the air,’ he says, and policy makers will have to follow through with ‘actions underpinned by science.’

 

  • The science advisor went on to state that climate change is a ‘bigger problem’ for us to face than Covid19, because of its ‘overall effect on humanity.’ Hopefully, we show similar urgency.

 

  • (01:45pm) Sir Patrick Vallance says ‘unprecedented change’ will have to be made to stick to the 1.5 degrees pledge. ‘It isn’t plucked from the air,’ he says, and policy makers will have to follow through with ‘actions underpinned by science.’

 

 

  • (12:30pm) Pelosi reveals that 80% of people displaced by climate change are women, and Scotland first minister Nicola Sturgeon refers to it a ‘feminist issue.’

 

  • ‘We must make sure that the voices of women are at the centre of creating and implementing the solutions to climate change,’ she said.

 

  • (12:10pm) Saudi Arabia’s energy minister has dismissed accusations that the nation has a history of over promising and under delivering on climate reform.

 

  • Having neglected a transparency deal this morning, everyone’s waiting to hear how the country plans to reach aims of carbon neutrality by 2060.

 

 

  • (11:15am) UN speaker Nancy Pelosi remains ‘hopeful’ about China and Russia’s role to limit emissions. Her congressional delegation is mostly focused on ‘what the US is prepared to do’ but she hasn’t given up on either nation.

 

  • (10:50am) The UK invests £210 million in small nuclear reactor research. There are hopes such reactors will be in use by the 2030s and will help to generate clean energy en masse.

 

  • ‘This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the UK to deploy more low-carbon energy than ever before and ensure greater energy independence,’ Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said.

 

https://twitter.com/adamvaughan_uk/status/1458033323574501380?s=20

 

  • (10:00am) Astronaut Tim Peake is ‘disappointed’ at suggestions space travel is becoming luxury tourism for the super-rich. ‘I personally am a fan of using space for science and for the benefit of everybody back on Earth so in that respect I feel disappointed that space is being tarred with that brush.’

 

  • Space exploration is needed as ‘a finger on the pulse of the planet,’ he says.

 

  • (08:55am) The UK’s science adviser is calling for the sector to zero in on climate change. Claiming experts should ‘move from diagnosis to treatment’ Sir Patrick Vallance calls for specific models where immediate action can be taken.

 

  • He followed up by stressing that keeping global warming to below 1.5 degrees is ‘not negotiable.’ Admitting it’s ‘not an easy target,’ he commended ‘significant pledges’ that now need action. 

 

  • (08:10am) German officials are launching the world’s first commercial plant for making synthetic kerosene, a climate friendly component for jet engine fuel. Don’t get too excited though, the plant will reportedly produce just eight barrels a day in the initial stages.

 

 

  • (07:30am) It appears China and Saudi Arabia aren’t willing to be fully transparent about the extent of their emissions. Both are blocking the notion of such a deal at COP26, and also object to wording in the small print that calls for warming to be limited to 1.5 degrees.

 

  • (06:30am) It’s set to get techy at COP26 today. Scientists and innovators will take the stage throughout the day and the gender implications of climate change will also be explored.

 

COP26 – Day Nine (09/11)

 

  • (05:00pm) That’s a wrap for day eight and discussions around adaption, loss, and damage. For the highlights check our COP DROP series on Instagram.

 

  • (04:50pm) A report reveals nearly one in three species of the world’s trees are at risk of extinction. Common types like magnolia, oaks, maple, and ebony are among those at threat with 30% of 60,000 tree species.

 

AP
Credit: AP

 

  • (04:10pm) Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate states that communities most affected by climate change should be ‘at the heart of the decisions’ made this week. ‘Climate justice should not leave anyone behind,’ she stated.

 

 

  • (03:30pm) Better late than never. The EU climate policy chief says nations should have finished rules to fully implement the Paris Agreement by the end of COP26. ‘I think this can all be done this week if we all put our minds to it and if we all look forward to finding a compromise,’ says Frans Timmermans.

 

 

  • (02:45pm) The former president covers all bases, from putting aside geopolitical tensions and supporting protests, to active consumerism and the short-comings of the Paris Agreement. Later, he addressed young people with a real authenticity and claimed that we ‘don’t have to like politics’ but we do have to engage with it.

 

  • On the hot topic of phasing out coal, he stated: ‘Transitioning from dirty energy to clean energy does have a cost and it’s not unreasonable for people to think some of those costs will be borne by them, instead of the more powerful and the privileged.’

 

  • Calling for a sense of perspective, and more importantly a feeling of global unity, he said that things ‘will get messy’ but that humanity has ‘done hard things before.’ The applause in the room was palpable.

 

  • (02:15pm) Barack Obama is addressing the summit once again and received a standing ovation as he stepped up to the podium. Settle in for a long speech.

 

 

  • (12:45pm) Extinction Rebellion have taken up in front of the Mercer building in Glasgow to quite literally ‘play dead’. Wearing signs depicting climate related deaths like ‘heat exhaustion’ and ‘drowned’ they lay in front of a banner reading ‘only dinosaurs invest in fossil fuels.’

 

  • (12:30pm) Greta has officially trained it back to Sweden after days of protesting in London and Glasgow. Don’t expect the protests to dissipate as the second week progresses though.

 

  • (11:50am) Speaking at the Island Resilience conference, Obama described islands as the ‘canary in the coal mine’ for climate change. Their delegates ‘are sending a message now, that if we don’t act, and act boldly, it’s going to be too late,’ he stated.

 

  • He then commended successor Joe Biden for the US’ commitment to provide an extra $3 billion to support the most vulnerable nations – including island regions.

 

 

  • (11:40am) Barak Obama has arrived and it’s safe to say his popularity hasn’t diminished among the people. He’ll be speaking several times throughout the day.

 

  • (11:30am) A coalition of environmental groups have attacked the continued emphasis on offsetting. Greenpeace, Amnesty International, ActionAid, and Global Witness are calling for ‘real’ net zero emission targets this week.

 

  • Despite the popularity of offsetting, the demand for land to plant trees is forcing indigenous people from their ancestral homes.

 

  • (10:45am) Insurance giant AXA will adopt a ‘no compromise approach’ with investee companies that don’t take climate change seriously. From early 2022, any company that has oil representing more than 5% of total production will be ‘excluded.’

 

  • (09:25am) Barak Obama is set to address the summit today at 12:45. Given he’s a self-professed ‘island child’ today’s topics will likely hit close to home.

 

 

  • (09:15am) Greenpeace believes Saudi Arabia is trying to block fossil fuel reduction bills. The fundamental policy underpinning efforts to meet 1.5 degrees is under threat as all 196 attending nations have to be in agreement.

 

  • ‘The push on Friday night to block a cover decision was a textbook effort to strip ambition from the final text, while the move to dilute substance on the adaptation goal was designed to ensure vulnerable countries don’t get the support they need and therefore can’t sign up to a meaningful agreement at the end of this week.’

 

  • (08:15am) A report from Christian Aid warns that vulnerable countries could see their GDP slashed by a fifth before 2050 under current climate policies (prior to COP26). By 2100, the fallout of global warming could translate into 64% hit to their economies. Suffice to say, today is big!

 

 

  • (07:30am) Australia has come under fire for an underwhelming summit thus far, and the world’s second largest exporter of thermal coal claims it will continue to sell fossil fuels ‘for decades.’

 

  • Having refused to sign a bill to phase out coal by the end of the decade, Australia’s Resource Minister Keith Pitt reiterated this morning: ‘We’ve said very clearly, we are not closing coal mines and we’re not closing coal fired power stations.’

 

 

  • (07:20am) The International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan has described today as a crucial tipping point for the summit that has previously been overlooked. ‘Even if we fix the CO2 emissions challenge today, we would see the heightened climate impacts continue to affect those most vulnerable countries for up to 100 years to come.’

 

  • Ahead of time, she announced the UK will be announcing another £290 million to support the least developed countries and small island states help with immediate climate challenges.

 

  • (07:00am) After days of raucous protests, we’re back focusing on policy in the final week of COP26. The theme of today is all about adaption, loss, and damage.

 

COP26 – Day Eight (08/11)

 

  • Idris Elba made an appearance to highlight the importance of including African voices in the debates. Previous conferences have left much to be desired on that front.

 

 

  • Poland declared it will continue producing energy from fossil fuels until 2049, despite signing a clean energy bill on Thursday.

 

The weekend in Glasgow was heavily dominated by ongoing protests which spread to London and Texas. The Glasgow demonstrations are some of the biggest in the city’s history and all eyes will be on delegates in the final week to deliver a road-map to net zero.

Weekend Highlights

 

  • (05:45pm) With Greenpeace stating we need to continue our assault on fossil fuels, that all but completes the day’s events. Truthfully, it’s been one where the majority of the action happened outside the conference.

 

  • (05:15pm) There’s quite a contrast in the feeling between the interior and exterior of the summit. TV personality Bear Grylls just turned up to the pavilion and told delegates they may one day tell their grandchildren about how we saved the climate.

 

  • Always the optimist, Grylls did, however, highlight that NGOs must use their power ‘for the good.’ People were half expecting a survival guide for a world beyond 2 degrees warming.

 

 

  • (04:15pm) Greta is on stage, and as predicted, she isn’t holding back. Lamenting COP26 as a ‘failure,’ she believes world powers are doing nothing but ‘making loopholes and shaping frameworks that benefit themselves to continue profiting.’

 

  • ‘COP26 is a PR event where leaders are giving beautiful speeches and announcing fancy commitments and targets, while behind the curtain still refusing to take any drastic climate action. It seems like their main goal is to continue to fight for the status quo.’

 

  • (04:00pm) Uganda born activist Vanessa Nakate is on stage outside the conference and is laying bare the reality that those disproportionately affected by climate change face. ‘We are in a crisis, people are dying, children are dropping out of school, people’s farms are being destroyed.’

 

 

  • (03:10pm) Former US President Al Gore, who warned earlier today that the climate crisis is worsening ‘faster than we can find solutions’ is calling on policymakers to hear the voices of the youth.

 

  • ‘Young people all around the world are telling us now is the time. Don’t tell them it’s impossible. It is possible.’

 

 

  • (02:15pm) Protesters have arrived at Glasgow’s George Square where a small stage is set up. ‘Blah blah blah’, ‘No Planet B’. Who’s going to deliver the next big activist slogan, I wonder.

 

  • (01:30pm) Teenagers have turned out for protests in huge numbers. Speaking to surrounding journalists, they claim ‘nothing is more important than this.’ You’ll find no argument from us there.

 

 

  • (01:00pm) Greta is now marching through Glasgow! Her placards are everywhere you look and she’s likely to grab a mic in the city centre. Will we hear another rendition of Rick Astley?

 

  • (12:45pm) Sources at COP26 have revealed that America and Russia are currently working together on methane reductions. This is potentially big, given Russia is a huge emitter of the greenhouse gas and had previously neglected the 30% slash deal earlier this week.

 

  • (12:25pm) A report from the Office for National Statistics reveals that 75% of adults are now worried about the impacts of climate change. Over two fifths (43%) feel anxious about the future of the planet more widely in the last month. Without change, that number will grow exponentially.

 

  • Women are reportedly most likely to worry about the impacts of climate change, whilst 37% of young adults are incredibly worried about their futures.

 

 

  • (12:00pm) One amusing demonstration shows mardi gras world leaders dining over a banquet of climate degradation in the city centre. In the background, a sign reads ‘pick up the – climate and ecological emergency – bill’.

 

  • Among the dishes on specials were ‘fruits of deforestation’, ‘crispy coal nuggets’, ‘Amazon flambe’, and ‘Arctic melt’.

 

 

  • (11:30am) Protests are now in full swing! Youth climate activists are marching from Kelvingrove Park to Glasgow city centre led by Fridays for Future. One protester claims many have become ‘full time activists,’ quitting studies and work due to the urgency of the climate crisis.

 

  • (11:10am) The Prince of Wales has stated he didn’t want to be accused of not doing enough on climate change by his grandchildren. Adored by several indigenous communities, Charles’ work over the last 40 years stems from a feeling of responsibility.

 

  • The heir to the throne said: ‘Remember that there’s millions and millions of young people out there on whose behalf, they may not realise it, I’ve been trying to work for the last 40 years, because I mind about your children and grandchildren as much as mine.’

 

  • (10:40am) Protesters are gathering and there’s a real buzz around Glasgow. Up to 10,000 are expected to join the demonstrations, and you can all but guarantee Greta will lead later today!

 

  • (09:45am) Primary schools will begin educating pupils on climate change, says Zahawi. Aiming to inspire the next generation of ‘great scientists and innovators’ the subject will now officially join the science curriculum. Is this officially the end of the deniers?

 

 

  • (09:20am) Conservation group Arctic Basecamp has shipped a four-ton iceberg from Greenland to Glasgow. The natural installation is there as a physical reminder that our planet’s ecosystems are in grave danger without change.

 

Reuters
Credit: Reuters

 

  • (09:00am) As protests start to simmer nicely around Glasgow, in Indonesia an activist rally has broken out against President Joko Widodo’s confusing withdrawal from a net zero pledge signed just a day prior. A popular placard right now reads ‘choose eco not ego.’

 

  • (08:40am) US climate delegate John Kerry announces that wealthy nations will deliver $100 billion to developing ones every year from 2022 – a year earlier than initially expected!

 

  • The latest investment has come from Japan, which has promised $2 billion a year for the next five, and has unlocked a further $8 billion every year in loans from banks and private organisations.

 

 

  • (07:20am) Before any of the day’s conferences are underway, education secretary Nadhim Zahawi is already urging students not to strike with Greta’s Fridays for Future outfit today. While agreeing with the intended message, he’s concerned that headteachers may have to hand out fines. Good luck with that one chief…

 

  • ‘I’d rather they march on Saturday and Sunday. The summit is here for at least two weekends. What I would urge young people is not to miss school,’ he said.

 

 

  • (07:00am) Day five of COP26 kickstarts and it’s all about youth empowerment! Got a feeling we’re going to enjoy this one.

 

COP26 – Day Five (05/11)

 

  • (05:00pm) That’s a wrap for the fourth day of COP26 and Energy Day! For the key highlights check out our daily COP DROP series on Instagram.

 

 

  • (04:45pm) Of that same ilk, Greta is currently on the fringes of the conference and is claiming that this COP26 is the most excluding summit yet. Twitter is popping off today!

 

 

  • (04:40pm) Youth activists take the stage to give their stories and highlight the need for tangible action now. Hailing from a vast array of backgrounds, all believe that the time for greenwashing is over and that younger generations must not be excluded from decision making.

 

  • (03:40pm) Although most of the noise coming out of the conference is positive, UNEP researchers say the cost of dealing with climate change is between 5 and 10 times higher than what’s been collectively spent so far.

 

  • Adapting to extreme weather, the cost could be between $280-500 billion for developing countries. The flow of finance, worryingly, is starting to level off already.

 

 

  • Activists from Ocean Rebellion are taking advantage of the coverage at COP26, staging a grim demonstration highlighting the damage of industrial fishing.

 

  • Wearing fish head masks and standing in a puddle of fake blood, they called for an end to trawling near the Scottish event campus.

 

  • (02:40pm) Alok Sharma is putting pressure on China for ‘more detail’ on its coal reduction plans. The biggest emitter claims it will restrict the use of coal significantly from 2026, but the COP President ‘would like to see more.’

 

 

  • (02:15pm) A coalition of leaders from 190 countries has agreed to phase out coal power and support for new power plants, Alok Sharma has announced. On a case by case basis deadlines obviously vary, but that fact is true.

 

  • ‘We put it on the G7 agenda and carried it through to the G20 with our partners Italy, and at COP26 we will continue this journey – but six months on I am pleased to say that coal financing has been well and truly choked off.’

 

 

  • (01:20pm) Alok Sharma announces that 24 countries, including Canada, the US, and Denmark have signed a UK-led statement committing to ending international trade of fossil fuels by the end of 2022!

 

  • This newly amassed union is preparing for the ‘high level segment’ of negotiations next week.

 

  • (01:10pm) Russia’s climate envoy claims that Russia ‘is not living in a fairy tale’ and needs more time to phase out its dependence on fossil fuels without economic hardship.

 

  • When queried on whether the nation would ever end coal production, special envoy Ruslan Edelgeriev worryingly replied: ‘You know, that’s a complicated issue indeed.’  

 

 

  • (12:20pm) UK Labour is concerned that efforts to ‘drive the ambition we need’ are misplaced while the likes of China – which uses more coal than attending parties combined – continues to scale up harmful power at home.

 

  • Ed Miliband claims ministers have ‘let others off the hook’ in regard to energy transition, and accused current governments of ‘flirting with a new coal mine or licensing a massive oil field here at home.’

 

  • (11:50am) India isn’t exactly having a great COP26 so far, and that isn’t likely to change today. With no mention of domestic coal reductions – India still relies on it for 60% of its electricity – the second largest importer of coal is determined to make changes on its own terms and timetable.

 

  • (11:40am) Energy secretary Kwasi adds to his previous comments on the UK, revealing it will reach 25 million people with clean energy access by 2026, leveraging £1.3 billion investment, and creating close to 200,000 green jobs. Keep an eye on Indeed!

 

https://twitter.com/CapitalScotNews/status/1456206604781723649

 

  • (10:25am) Protestors are popping up around Glasgow dressed as Pikachu. The demonstrations are aimed at Japan and its continued reliance on fossil fuels, though we can’t really work out the theme beyond the show being Japanese. Regardless, it’s grabbed headlines so fair play!

 

  • (10:00am) ‘Glasgow is getting closer to Paris!’ The International Energy Agency believes we’re getting closer to honouring the Paris Agreement. Pledges to go net zero and cut methane emissions will reportedly push global warming to below 1.8 degrees if (big if) achieved in full.

 

  • (09:45am) COP26 President Alok Sharma is back on stage to open the energy speeches. Telling delegates ‘Today is absolutely central to our efforts,’ he revealed that pledges cover 90% of global GDP before echoing sentiments that ‘the end of coal is in sight.’

 

  • Energy currently accounts for a quarter of all global emissions. ‘The prize is to keep the Paris temperature goal within reach,’ Sharma stressed before departing.

 

 

  • (09:30am) While the conference is taking place, Insulate Britain protesters have blocked three roads around London’s Parliament Square in Westminster. They’re becoming bolder!

 

  • Before heading out this morning the group released a statement which read: ‘We have to move quickly. What we do in the next three to four years will determine the future of humanity.’

 

  • (09:00am) Figures from a new report show a huge rise in property listings offering electric car charging points. These ads have soared by 541% in the UK throughout 2021, probably in part due to recent fuel shortages. Hopefully this figure continues to grow!

 

  • Senior consultant a Peter Joy Estate Agents, Charlie Gladding, claims that such enquiries will ‘be a theme that constantly grows into conversations over the next couple of years.’

 

  • (07:30am) That lasted long! Indonesia has already withdrawn its commitment to end deforestation by 2030, calling the plan ‘inappropriate and unfair.’ With 100 countries onboard with the agreement, Greenpeace’s Kiki Taufik describes Indonesia’s stance as ‘profoundly disappointing.’

 

 

  • (07:00am) UK energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng kick starts the day’s events by proclaiming ‘we’re consigning coal to history.’ Over the course of the conference, 190 countries and organisations are ‘going to sign up to phasing out coal.’

 

  • Addressing the elephant (not) in the room, Kwarteng reveals he is negotiating with China delegates and the US despite both failing to sign up.

 

  • (06:40am) Big news before we’ve even got the kettle on! NatWest claims it will completely stop lending money to coal projects and will phase out current UK loans by 2024 – globally, financing will reportedly be stopped by the end of the decade.

 

  • (06:30am) COP’s theme today is energy, and countries are expected to outline bold plans to transition to sustainable power. In particular, eyes will be on China, Australia, and the US.

 

COP26 – Day Four (04/11)

 

 

  • (05:45pm) Following the first net zero football match – courtesy of Tottenham Hotspur in September – the Premier League and FIFA have committed to go fully net zero by 2040. In the more immediate future, a minimum target of a 50% reduction has been set for 2030.

 

  • FIFA president Gianni Infantino calls this a ‘critical moment.’ Maybe we can begin to stomach players six figure weekly wages once the sport becomes fully sustainable.

 

  • (05:00pm) The Bank of England underlines its desire to ‘intensify push’ to combat climate change by putting its money where its mouth is.

 

  • ‘As we enter 2022, we will be shifting gears in our supervisory approach domestically to ensure firms are identifying and addressing climate-related financial risks,’ said Governor Andrew Bailey.

 

  • (04:30pm) Rishi Sunak is back on the panel for the fourth ministerial dialogue on finance today. Claiming that we’re making ‘terrific progress’ with these ‘watershed’ talks, he summarised ‘Whatever climate ambitions we set over the next couple of weeks, the finance is there to deliver them.’

 

 

  • (04:05pm) Russia bites back at Biden for suggesting Putin isn’t taking the climate crisis seriously. ‘His tundra is burning, he has serious, serious climate problems, and he is mum on willingness to do anything,’ the US President said yesterday. Dmitry Peskov responded by claiming Moscow is taking a ‘very responsible stance’ to climate change, which it doesn’t believe is ‘pegged to an event.’

 

  • (03:45pm) India officials have clarified the nation’s decision to avoid pledges for deforestation and methane cutbacks. Essentially, it boils down to economic concerns, as 15% of India’s wealth is attributed to agriculture – which employs 1.3 billion people. ‘Since our international trade is increasingly becoming a big part of our economy, we clearly did not want any clause on trade,’ said one official.

 

  • Following its ‘commitment’ to go net zero 20 years after the terms of the Paris Agreement, India is serving up a disappointing summit. Besides India, China and Russia are also staying away from Methane reductions.

 

  • (03:05pm) Greta has entered enemy turf (the COP26 venue) in the last few minutes, pictured arriving at The Nature Zone. Leave mics unattended at your own peril delegates!

 

  • In the meantime, Glasgow protesters are headed to JP Morgan again. It’s becoming a something of a local hotspot.

 

 

  • (02:40pm) Police have impounded an effigy of the Loch Ness Monster created by protesters. Anti-poverty group Jubilee Debt Campaign had planned to take the inflatable up the River Clyde with signs reading ‘drop the debt monster.’

 

  • Police have since seized the thing. Perhaps it’s currently behind bars – if they can find a cell big enough.

 

  • (02:10pm) A pledge has been signed by 12 of the UK’s major media brands to improve ‘climate change storytelling’. The likes of Sky, BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 are onboard, which collectively make up 70% of UK audiences’ viewing time. Let’s break up the one track obsession with serial killers, eh.

 

 

  • (01:50pm) In keeping with Finances Day, Extinction Rebellion has organised a ‘Greenwashing Greed Kills’ march. Hundreds are in attendance brandishing Greta’s ‘blah, blah, blah’ slight, in the belief world leaders and companies are once again being disingenuous with their intentions. At this stage, can you blame them?

 

 

  • (01:30pm) The conference is now trending on Twitter for its selection of meat dishes, which one user claims is the equivalent of ‘serving cigarettes at a lung cancer conference.’ Who is really ordering the venison casserole?

 

 

  • (01:10pm) A common theme in question time is whether or not Boris is striving to scale back growth of the harmful aviation industry. His stance remains unchanged, that air travel will promote movement globally after the pandemic and that the focus should instead shift to investment in sustainable fuel.

 

  • The Green Party asked whether the decision has been taken to reverse the Cambo oil field project, where drilling is due to start in 2022. Boris refused to comment as the Cambo oil field resides in Scotland. Responsibility = shifted.

 

 

  • (01:00pm) Protests are once again heating up around Glasgow. Activists have now ‘redecorated’ a Barclays bank branch with the company’s recent investments in fossil fuel projects. Full marks for creativity with the posters!

 

  • According to Market Forces, the bank has reportedly financed $5.6 billion worth of new fossil fuel projects since January 2021. Suffice to say, the reaction is probably warranted.

 

  • (12:30pm) Boris Johnson addresses the room once again, stating that ‘whether we can save ourselves from disaster still hangs in the balance.’ Again highlighting what he believes are key improvement areas – in coal, cars, cash, and trees – he states that ‘progress’ has been made on ‘three of four’ at COP26, but that ‘far more must be done.’

 

  • (11:00am) US climate envoy John Kerry declares the world has a 60% chance of capping global temperatures at 1.5 degrees. He says around 65% of global GDP has been covered with achievable climate plans. We’ll take these stats over Boris’ tenuous football analogy.

 

  • (10:45am) After yesterday’s Squid Game antics, protesters are under pressure to make their demonstrations as elaborate as possible. Campaigners from Friends of the Earth showed up outside the summit to lament the continued production of fossil fuels across the North Sea.

 

  • Nothing grabs the attention quite like the racket of brass instruments!

 

https://twitter.com/mvanhulten/status/1455828200727236608

 

  • (09:50am) Mark Carney, former Bank of England gov, rouses world leaders in the crowd to finally turn pledges into action. As he says, ‘hopes are dashed’ when ‘countries go home and don’t implement the policies.’

 

  • Referencing Greta’s scratching UN speech from years back, he says she ‘rightly blasted everyone’ and added that ‘right here, right now is where private finance draws the line.’

 

  • (09:30am) US treasury secretary Janet Yellen tells COP26 that a global net zero transition will cost between $100 trillion and $150 trillion over the next three decades. On that front, the US plans to provide $650 million per year to fund clean technologies whilst quadrupling finance for developing nations to more than $11 billion by 2024.

 

  • (09:15am) Sunak announces that the UK will become the ‘first ever net zero aligned financial centre’. From 2023, British finance companies will have to publish plans outlining how they plan to transition to net zero.

 

  • On the criticism that deadlines of providing $100 billion to developing countries by 2020 were missed, he confidently stated that $500 billion will be mobilised between 2021 and 2025. Touché.

 

 

  • (09:00am) Finance chancellor Rishi Sunak takes the stage and claims that ‘80% of the global economy has committed to net zero.’ Optimistic that we will honour targets of $100 billion in climate finance to developing countries, he revealed a new £100 million capital markets mechanism.

 

  • This aims to issue billions of new green bonds to fund renewable energy in developing countries. Lastly, he said the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero has amassed a combined $130 trillion of assets – ‘This is a historic wall of capital for the net zero transition around the world.’

 

  • (08:20am) Britain’s secretary of transport, Grant Shapps reveals that the UK industry’s pollution toll will be addressed in full next week. Now, like every TFL commuter, we just have to wait a while.

 

  • (08:10am) Opening the Green Investment Showcase, London mayor Sadiq Khan says an extra £30 million – backed by Nicola Sturgeon – will go into green investments in the capital. He hopes this will ‘help to encourage up to $150 million of private investment in low carbon projects’ whilst creating jobs ‘to help achieve 2030 net-zero targets.’

 

 

  • (07:50am) A new carbon tax could reportedly slash global emissions by 12%. The idea is that the self-sustaining tax will require a $75 levy for each ton of carbon emitted in 2030 (in high-income countries), $50 (in middle-income countries), and $25 (in low-income countries). A financial deterrent is the best kind.

 

  • A report on the tax found that revenues generated could also support disadvantaged countries by redistributing up to 3% of GDP.

 

  • (7:00am) A bright and early start for day three, which will centre largely around the movement of funds – where investment is coming from, and how it will benefit the climate. I’m sure it’ll be more interesting than it sounds.

 

  • More specifically, Chancellor Rishi Sunak will delve into how the highest emitters will make progress towards net zero, whilst channelling funds to developing countries.

 

COP26 – Day Three (03/11)

 

 

  • (05:10pm) Holding the day’s final press conference, Boris Johnson stresses that all pledges must be ‘followed up by action,’ but that he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ about the commitments made. Strange references are becoming a theme for the UK PM, and the latest saw comparisons to an underdog football team.

 

  • Citing his previous analogy that ‘team world’ was 5-1 down in the fight against climate change, he believes we’ve ‘pulled back a goal or perhaps even two’ in the second day of COP26. We might yet make it to extra time.

 

  • (04:10pm) Bill Gates emerges from the crowd somewhere and takes centre stage. He opens with a damning warning that climate impacts will ‘only get worse’ without meaningful change. Speaking of his personal endeavours, he aims to raise $3 billion in private capital to help those most impacted by climate change.

 

  • In cahoots with 30 country members, the Microsoft chief will also provide $315 million over the next three years to help smallholder farmers in developing regions adopt green business models.

 

 

  • (04:00pm) In one of our standout moments so far, teenage inventor Vinisha Umashankar provides a sobering reminder for world leaders to consider future generations. ‘Me and my generation will live to see the consequences of our actions today,’ she says.

 

  • As someone who will be just 24 by 2030, and in her early 40s by 2050, she claims there is ‘no time for anger’ and calls for leaders to support the ideas of young climate innovators from this day forth.

 

  • (03:25pm) European Union launches new program to fund climate innovation. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has onboarded Bill Gates and the European Investment Bank to finance new technologies which will be deployed on the ground in Europe.

 

  • Bill Gates is somewhere in the background readying his speech.

 

 

  • (03:05pm) While the focus is in on sustainable tech, Narendra Modi highlights the potential of solar power on a grand scale. He proposes a worldwide grid to provide anyone with clean energy at any time. ‘If we want to re-establish a life that is in balance with nature, the path to this life can only be lit by our sun,’ he says.

 

  • (03:00pm) Boris Johnson rallies world leaders to focus on cleaning up the aviation industry. He claims that his personal planes will use 35% sustainable fuel, but slammed global targets of reaching 10% sustainable fuel by 2030 as ‘pathetic.’ There will be prying eyes on how delegates eventually depart Glasgow, that’s for sure.

 

 

  • (02:40pm) An international plan has just been launched to speed up affordable green tech for everyone! Led by the UK, this five point plan aims to make clean power the cheapest and most reliable option globally by 2030.

 

  • Creating more jobs (a purported $16 trillion industry) and hugely reducing emissions, this plan involves a turbocharge of electric car availability, net zero steel, clean hydrogen, and sustainable farming.

 

 

  • (02:30pm) While a fair amount of progress is being made inside SEC, protesters are keeping officials on their toes. As we speak, Extinction Rebellion is demonstrating outside JP Morgan in Glasgow to demand the bank stop funding fossil fuel projects.

 

 

  • (01:30pm) Over 100 nations have just signed a methane pact which will aim to drive associated emissions down by 30% by 2030. Leveraging $8 billion from the World Bank and other sources, this tops overall investment out at $100 billion, and that is a pretty big deal.

 

  • If you didn’t know, forms of methane are between 20 and 80 times as damaging as carbon dioxide and are responsible for 0.5 degrees of warming  (of today’s overall 1.1 degrees).

 

  • (01:10pm) The EU (along with Britain, Norway, the US, and Japan) has committed to spend $1.16 billion over the next five years to protect forests.

 

  • This includes $290 million for countries within the Congo Basin in Central Africa and is part of a bigger $12 billion package to protect, restore, and maintain nature in developing nations.

 

 

  • (12:10pm) Long time environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio (that fella from Titanic) arrives at the conference leaving attendees starstruck. Red carpet vibes in the Blue Zone.

 

  • (12:00pm) Boris Johnson announces £2.2 billion deal to bring green infrastructure to India and Africa. He told delegates in the crowd ‘I look forward to working with you all as we take forward these investments in green, clean infrastructure.’

 

 

  • (11:30am) Prince Charles, who has always had a soft spot for indigenous communities, steps forward to add a human touch to the proceedings. ‘The virtuous circle of nature is something the indigenous people of the world hold sacred and understand only too well,’ he says. ‘This is why we should listen to and learn from their profound, intuitive wisdom.’

 

  • He also suggested that policymakers must focus on altering the world’s financial economic systems to ‘disincentivise deforestation.’

 

  • (11:10am) Ecuador to expand its marine reserve around the Galapagos by 50%, says President Guillermo Lasso. The new barrier will expand on the existing 50,000 square miles already under protection.

 

  • Hailed as one of the world’s most rife and diverse destinations for wildlife, this region is also considered particularly vulnerable to climate change as sea levels rise and temperatures shift.

 

 

  • (10:50am) Demonstrators outside the conference have rocked up clad in outfits from the hit Netflix show Squid Game. Others are wearing the faces of world leaders and urging them to ‘stop playing games’. Strong theme… no spoilers please.

 

 

  • (10:30am) Billionaire tech tycoon Jeff Bezos is in the building. Reminiscing about how futile the planet looked from outer space (relatable stuff), he announced an additional $5 billion to protect land and sea by 2030 – of which $2 billion is allocated specifically to restoring nature in Africa.

 

  • Amazon itself commits to use purely renewable energy by 2025.

 

  • (10:00am) COP26’s first major deal is here! 100 world leaders have pledged £14 billion in public and private backing to save our forests. Supported by nations covering 85% of the world’s forests – including Canada, Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo – this is a genuinely huge news (in theory, of course).

 

 

  • (9:40am) Boris underpins the whole initiative with the ambitious goal of reversing the impacts of deforestation globally by 2030. Bold Boris on day three!

 

  • (9:30am) Boris takes the stage to set the theme for the day: ‘we must protect and restore the world’s forests.’ Accounting for almost a quarter of all global emissions, deforestation is threatening what he described as ‘the lungs of our planet.’

 

  • Stating that 80% of tropical deforestation is driven by agricultural trade, he revealed that 28 countries have signed a new deal to unlock ‘sustainable food and land use systems’ on an unprecedented scale. More details to come.

 

  • (9:20am) Day 2 begins with a brief focus on financial institutions ahead of more detailed coverage tomorrow. The former governor of the Bank of England says a new alliance of more than 450 countries will bring banks and insurance companies together to transition economies to net zero.

 

  • ‘So, all of their money, whether they invest in a company or lend to a company, that those companies, those underlying companies, will themselves be reducing their carbon emissions transitioning to net zero.’

 

COP26 – Day Two (02/11)

 

  • (05:20pm) Though China’s Xi Jinping isn’t in Glasgow, Boris is now mulling over the contents of his letter. In it, he’s reaffirmed China’s aim to peak emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060. This includes a major shift of 90% renewable energy by 2050.

 

  • According to an international group of climate, science, and policy experts called Climate Action Tracker, China’s current actions to meet such requirements are ‘highly insufficient.’ And with no new pledges to speak of, it’s looking bleak.

 

 

  • (05:10pm) Speaking moments ago, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated (with his chest) that India would reach net zero emissions by 2070 – yes, you read that right. He also proclaimed India as the ‘only economy’ to deliver ‘in spirit’ to its Paris commitments.

 

  • By 2030, Modi has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 1 billion tons while increasing renewable energy to 500GW. Why the two decade delay?

 

  • (04:30pm) Greta is now leading an impromptu protest in Glasgow’s Govan Festival Park. Amid all the product placement at the summit and a few major disappointments already, it’s safe to say she’s fairly upset. ‘Change is not going to come from inside there. That is not leadership. This is leadership!’

 

 

  • (03:45pm) Everyone’s favourite environmentalist David Attenborough addressed world leaders, and highlighted the importance of COP26 for future generations. ‘If apart, we are a force powerful enough to destabilise our planet, surely together we’re powerful enough to save it.’ What a man.

 

  • ‘The world is looking to you,’ he finished, and the room broke into rapturous applause.

 

  • (03:35pm) Biden’s speech concludes. It wasn’t exactly full of specific details, but he did say some things of note. Foremost, he talked up the US long term climate strategy called ‘A vision for achieving net zero by 2050.’ Hopefully, we’ll see what that looks like in the coming days.

 

  • (03:07pm) President Joe Biden – having arrived in the early hours – took to the stage and followed Boris. His speech appears to be a rousing preface to the coming negotiations, in which he states that we must ‘raise the standard of living around the world.’

 

 

  • (12:30pm) The opening ceremony finally begins with the sound of bagpipes, and Boris Johnson steps forth to debut the world leader speeches. With journalists poised and analysing every word, Boris urges the attending nations to ‘build a lifeboat for humanity’… and then made a weird James Bond reference.

 

  • (11:00am) Outside the Blue Zone at the venue – where key talks are set to take place – attendees are jammed in huge queues. One presenter spoke to people from countries like Nepal, the Maldives, and Russia who were being held up whilst their delegates were inside. ‘It’s all very quiet and orderly, but all very messy,’ she stated.

 

  • (10:05am) Bringing attention to the plight of over 500 Pacific islands, Palau President Surangel Whipps calls for immediate emission cutbacks. He declared that half of global targets of 2050 should be met by 2030, or Palau’s culture and people face extinction.

 

  • In April, worsening typhoons damaged 20% of homes in the region and Whipps Junior warned that ‘taking baby steps’ and ‘kicking the can down the road’ could have dire consequences.

 

  • (9:40am) Starting the day off on a positive note, Scotland minister Nichola Sturgeon reveals that 97% of the nation’s electricity is being generated from renewable sources. She is, however, pushing for further action over the coming weeks and years.

 

 

  • (8:40am) Long planned bin strikes from refuse workers have started and rubbish is piling up in the streets. Glasgow City Council urge workers to reconsider in such a ‘busy’ time for the city. Hopefully, this isn’t symbolic of how COP26 will turn out.

 

  • Meanwhile, Greta is urging all workers to join the climate change protests. ‘We invite everyone, especially the workers striking in Glasgow to join us. See you there!’

 

COP26 – Day One (01/11)

 

On day one of these annual summits, the main focus typically involves who’s turning up (and definitely who isn’t). On that note, reports show that planes carrying world leaders and executives may have blasted 13,000 tons of carbon into the atmosphere. Great start.

 

  • (7:10am) Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is avoiding the conference. He believes the UK’s arrangements for security aren’t sufficient enough, though Turkey’s environmental minister is in the building.

 

 

  • (6:10am) News breaks that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend COP26 in person. Joining a small list of leaders who won’t make a statement on Monday, Putin has pre-recorded a video for a meeting on forestry and land use later this week.

 

  • Despite a previous pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2060, there are worries over Russia’s reluctance to scale back on methane before 2030.

 

  • (5:40am) The US returns to the table after a four year hiatus under Trump! ‘We’re back hoping to rally the world to tackle the climate crisis, and we’re going to bring back jobs and economic prosperity to our workers and our families in the United States,’ says Biden’s climate advisor Gina McCarthy.

 

  • (4:50am) COP26 President Alok Sharma calls for a decade of ‘ever increasing action and ambition.’ British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warns its ‘one minute to midnight’ on climate change as part of a rousing opening speech.

 

  • Urging specific pledges on ‘coal, cars, cash, and trees,’ the UK hosts look likely to revise their own plans for the controversial Cumbria coal mine.

 

 

  • (3:40am) Gen Z climate champ Greta Thunberg arrives in Glasgow! Despite missing an ‘official’ invitation, she’s here to lead activist demonstrations – with the first coming on Friday.

 

  • Already, Extinction Rebellion protesters have teamed up with pilgrimage groups arriving from Cornwall and there’s real buzz around Glasgow.

 

  • (3:10am) After months of speculation it’s true that President XI Jinping will not be attending the summit in person and instead will give a written statement. A huge blow already, given China is the planet’s no.1 polluter.

 

  • (2:40am) Day one of the summit and negotiators from 190 countries, as well as journalists, scientists, and celebrities have descended on Glasgow for the crunch talks. 30,000 plus attendees are expected.

 

COP26 – delegates arrive (31/10)

 

 

All eyes on COP26…

 

  • Lastly, UK environmentalist Prince Charles addressed the group warning of the ‘last chance saloon’ to transition into sustainable energy on a grand scale, and the trillions that must be committed over the coming years.

 

  • On a more positive note, previous plans to commit $100 billion each year to help developing nations most affected by climate change were confirmed.

 

 

  • China and India have reportedly refused the notion of ending domestic coal consumption. Only last week, we discussed how China plans to actually scale up its coal use.

 

  • The 20 world leaders agreed to end public financing for coal-fired power abroad, but set no targets for phasing out coal domestically.

 

  • Prior to COP26, the G20 – comprised of many of the world’s biggest economies – met in Rome to thrash out principal road-maps for carbon neutrality by 2050.

 

G20 Summit in Rome – Sunday (31/10) 

 

Senior Writer London, UK

I’m Jamie (He/Him), the Editor in Chief at Thred. Keeping up with gaming and revolutionary technology is my forte, but when away from my keyboard, you’ll probably find me wrapped around a large Tango ice blast at the latest mediocre horror flick. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.

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