COP26: Sharma warns summit is ‘last best hope’ to prevent climate crisis

The chief of the COP26 summit has warned global leaders the conference is the world’s “last, best hope” to prevent a climate crisis.

Alok Sharma MP told delegates at the opening ceremony of COP26 in Glasgow that the window to avoiding the worst effects of global warming is “closing”.

Global leaders will negotiate over the coming weeks over how to limit harmful emissions to keep global warming to 1.5C, the target scientists say needs to be met in order to prevent the worst consequences of climate change.

Experts also say hitting the 1.5C goal will be unachievable unless global emissions are halved this decade.

However, there are deep concerns that a lack of commitment to slash emissions from the likes of China, Russia and India will derail global efforts to contain climate change.

Sharm told the BBC’s Andrew Marr show he had “expected more” from China, the world’s largest emitter of damaging gasses, on its climate commitments. 

Beijing has pledged to scrap international coal financing, but has recently ramped up coal production in response to an energy crunch.

The lead up to COP26 has been marred by global geo-political kingpins pulling out from attending the conference, denting the likelihood of a deal on slashing emissions being achieved. 

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will not attend in person, but will deliver a video address. Russia’s Vladimir Putin will not attend either.

Sharma struck a pessimistic tone on reaching the climate targets, warning “It’s going to be very very tough” to secure a deal at COP26.

Sharma urged leaders to set aside geo-political tensions at COP26 to secure a deal that prevents irreversible climate damage. 

He told the BBC: “Let’s leave the ghost of the past… let’s build a better future together because the one issue we can actually all unite around is protecting our planet.”