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COP26: Final push aims to strike new climate agreement COP26: Climate summit approaches 'moment of truth'
(about 2 hours 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. The president of the COP26 climate summit said the talks had reached a "moment of truth for our planet".
Negotiators in the main COP26 hall are meeting in huddles to iron out differences over issues like climate funding and deforestation. As the meeting entered its final hours, he urged delegates to agree to a draft agreement aimed at averting dangerous global warming.
COP26 president Alok Sharma told negotiators he wanted a deal done on Saturday. 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.
And he said the current draft "really moves things forward." It's still not clear what needs to happen for these issues to be resolved.
"At the end of the day, what has been proposed is a balanced package" he said. "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.
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. "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.
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. 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.
As the talks entered their final hours, Chinese negotiators called on countries to "meet each other half way", expressing hope that "all parties will show excellent flexibility". But India's environment minister Bhupender Yadav told the meeting that "consensus remains elusive".
While India's environment minister Bhupender Yadav added that "consensus remains elusive".
EXPLAINER: A really simple guide to climate changeEXPLAINER: 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 the text's call to phase out 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.
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."
But Mr Sharma said the text was a "balanced package".
Referring to comments by another delegate about "discomfort" during negotiations, 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
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 - that bear the main responsibility for the global warming - should pay compensation to poorer ones for the climate impacts they can't adapt to.
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.
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. In the room: Malcolm Senior at COP26
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.
Analysis by 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.
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.
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".
"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.
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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
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