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COP26: Final push aims to strike new climate agreement COP26: Final push aims to strike new climate agreement
(32 minutes later)
Scientists say extreme weather events, such as severe flooding, are becoming more frequent because of climate changeScientists say extreme weather events, such as severe flooding, are becoming more frequent because of climate change
Delegates in Glasgow are in final talks over a deal that aims to avert the most severe impacts of climate change.Delegates in Glasgow are in final talks over a deal that aims to avert the most severe impacts of climate change.
Negotiators are meeting in huddles to iron out differences over issues like funding for poorer countries to reduce emissions and payments for damage from climate change. Negotiators in the main COP26 hall are meeting in huddles to iron out differences over issues like climate funding and deforestation.
COP26 president Alok Sharma told negotiators he wanted a deal done on Saturday.COP26 president Alok Sharma told negotiators he wanted a deal done on Saturday.
And he said the current draft "really moves things forward."And he said the current draft "really moves things forward."
"At the end of the day, what has been proposed is a balanced package" he said."At the end of the day, what has been proposed is a balanced package" he said.
Developing nations are unhappy about a lack of progress on what's known as "loss and damage", the idea that richer countries should compensate poorer ones for climate change effects they can't adapt to. The key achievements in the agreement so far are the unprecedented 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 developing nations are unhappy about a lack of progress on what's known as "loss and damage", the idea that richer countries should compensate poorer ones for climate change effects they can't adapt to.
EXPLAINER: A really simple guide to climate change
CONTEXT: How do we know climate change is caused by humans?
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. But experts say the current 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. 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.
EXPLAINER: A really simple guide to climate change 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.
CONTEXT: How do we know climate change is caused by humans?
The new version of the agreement released earlier on Saturday continues to refer to "accelerating efforts towards phase-out of unabated coal power and inefficient fossil fuel subsidies" - watered-down commitments that have been criticised by campaigners, even though some observers underlined that it is the first time coal is explicitly mentioned in UN documents of this type.The new version of the agreement released earlier on Saturday continues to refer to "accelerating efforts towards phase-out of unabated coal power and inefficient fossil fuel subsidies" - watered-down commitments that have been criticised by campaigners, even though some observers underlined that it is the first time coal is explicitly mentioned in UN documents of this type.
China and Saudi Arabia are said to be among a group of countries that have been seeking to remove references to fossil fuel subsidies.China and Saudi Arabia are said to be among a group of countries that have been seeking to remove references to fossil fuel subsidies.
New row in the horizon? Analysis by Malcolm Senior at COP26
The major takeaways from this latest draft are that - barring a few tweaks - the key passages about ambition and fossil fuels remain intact. 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.
However, what may turn out to be an important issue is the lack of a funding facility for what's known as "loss and damage". Around them, delegates cluster, keen to be there at the moment when key differences between the groups or countries are resolved.
This issue is about the impacts of climate change that developing countries can't adapt to, like long term sea level rises or a sudden storm. 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.
The nub of the concept is the link to the centuries of carbon dioxide emissions from richer countries that have contributed to the problem. Developing countries say this means the developed world should pay compensation for these impacts. 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.
That idea is anathema to the rich, who fear being on the financial hook for ever. 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.
The new draft says that instead of establishing a fund there should be a dialogue next year between parties to establish the arrangements for the money. Then, all eyes move to the EU's chief negotiator, Frans Timmermans, as his team work out the repercussions of the G77 huddle.
Many campaigners will not be happy with that, and there's a feeling there could be a row. 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.
Prof Saleemul Huq, the director of the International Center for Climate Change and Development, was not happy.
"The language on loss and damage has gone backwards from yesterday's text. It seems the COP26 Presidency has been nobbled behind closed doors by the US," he tweeted.
Earlier drafts of the deal had also promised more money to developing nations for adapting to extreme weather and sea level rise.
Teresa Anderson, climate policy co-ordinator for ActionAid International, said: "The latest text from COP26 is a slap in the face for those who are already dealing with the devastating impacts of the climate crisis.Teresa Anderson, climate policy co-ordinator for ActionAid International, said: "The latest text from COP26 is a slap in the face for those who are already dealing with the devastating impacts of the climate crisis.
"It still does nothing to provide a single penny to support indigenous communities, farmers, women and girls to recover and rebuild after climate disasters. The vast majority of the world's countries are calling for a new funding facility for loss and damage yet their voices have been ignored, again.""It still does nothing to provide a single penny to support indigenous communities, farmers, women and girls to recover and rebuild after climate disasters. The vast majority of the world's countries are calling for a new funding facility for loss and damage yet their voices have been ignored, again."
On Friday, the climate minister of Tuvalu, which is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, made an emotive plea, saying his nation was "literally sinking".On Friday, the climate minister of Tuvalu, which is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, made an emotive plea, saying his nation was "literally sinking".
"It is a matter of life and survival for many of us, and we implore that Glasgow must be the defining moment. We must not fail," Seve Paeniu said, to a rapturous reception."It is a matter of life and survival for many of us, and we implore that Glasgow must be the defining moment. We must not fail," Seve Paeniu said, to a rapturous reception.
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.
Despite the promises made at COP26 so far, the planet is still heading for 2.4C of warming above pre-industrial levels, according to a report by Climate Action Tracker.Despite the promises made at COP26 so far, the planet is still heading for 2.4C of warming above pre-industrial levels, according to a report by Climate Action Tracker.
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Life at 50C: Lytton - the Canadian town that burned down in a dayLife 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 1.5CIn 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 rainforestMore 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 warmingThe 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 upMore 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 launchedA 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 importantWhy the COP26 climate summit is important
Simple guide to climate changeSimple 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 emissionsFour ways to reduce your emissions
Life where it's too hot to work, too hot to sleepLife where it's too hot to work, too hot to sleep