This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59269886

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
COP26: Talks run into overtime amid lingering divisions COP26: New draft deal aims to close lingering divisions
(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
Negotiators in Glasgow are poring over the language of a new draft agreement aimed at averting the worst impacts of climate change. Negotiators in Glasgow are poring over a new draft agreement aimed at averting the worst impacts of climate change.
The COP26 talks were due to finish on Friday, but sticking points - including on coal, fossil fuel subsidies and financial help to poorer nations - mean they have overrun. The COP26 talks were due to finish on Friday, but sticking points - especially on fossil fuels and on financial help to poorer nations - mean they have overrun.
The conference president, Alok Sharma, urged an injection of "can-do spirit". Key language on phasing out coal use has been kept in the latest text.
A plenary session to adopt the final decisions is expected on Saturday. But it remains unclear if the draft will lead to a deal later on Saturday - or to further negotiations.
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. 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. It is a key part of the 2015 Paris agreement that most countries signed up to.
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.
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?
A new version of the agreement released on Saturday has retained watered-down commitments to end the use of unabated coal and inefficient subsidies on other fossil fuels - an issue that has 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 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.
Saturday's draft, however, without any concrete commitments, also talks of "recognising the need for support towards a just transition". New row in the horizon?
The major takeaways from this latest draft are that - barring a few tweaks - the key passages about ambition and fossil fuels remain intact.
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".
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.
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.
That idea is anathema to the rich, who fear being on the financial hook for ever.
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.
Many campaigners will not be happy with that, and there's a feeling there could be a row.
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.
China and Saudi Arabia are said to be among a group of countries seeking to remove references to fossil fuel subsidies.China and Saudi Arabia are said to be among a group of countries seeking to remove references to fossil fuel subsidies.
Speaking from London, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said rich countries must put more "cash on the table" to help the developing world move away from fossil fuels.Speaking from London, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said rich countries must put more "cash on the table" to help the developing world move away from fossil fuels.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair told the BBC's Newscast podcast it would be Mr Johnson's responsibility "to get the thing over the line at the end", something he said would be "tough to do… when most of the [other] political leaders have gone".Former Prime Minister Tony Blair told the BBC's Newscast podcast it would be Mr Johnson's responsibility "to get the thing over the line at the end", something he said would be "tough to do… when most of the [other] political leaders have gone".
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.
This video can not be playedThis video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Life at 50C: Lytton - the Canadian town that burned down in a 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