This decision has been taken by representatives of the
COP Bureau of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change), with the UK and its
Italian partners.
Dates for a rescheduled conference in 2021, hosted in
Glasgow by the UK in partnership with Italy, will be
set out in due course following further discussion with
parties.
In light of the ongoing, worldwide effects of COVID-19,
holding an ambitious, inclusive COP26 in November 2020
is no longer possible.
Rescheduling will ensure all parties can focus on the
issues to be discussed at this vital conference and
allow more time for the necessary preparations to take
place. We will continue to work with all involved to
increase climate ambition, build resilience and lower
emissions.
COP26 President-Designate and Secretary of State for
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said:
The world is currently facing an unprecedented global
challenge and countries are rightly focusing their
efforts on saving lives and fighting COVID-19. That
is why we have decided to reschedule COP26.
We will continue working tirelessly with our partners
to deliver the ambition needed to tackle the climate
crisis and I look forward to agreeing a new date for
the conference.
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa
said:
COVID-19 is the most urgent threat facing humanity
today, but we cannot forget that climate change is
the biggest threat facing humanity over the long
term.
Soon, economies will restart. This is a chance for
nations to recover better, to include the most
vulnerable in those plans, and a chance to shape the
21st century economy in ways that are clean, green,
healthy, just, safe and more resilient.
In the meantime, we continue to support and to urge
nations to significantly boost climate ambition in
line with the Paris Agreement.
Italian Minister for the Environment, Land and Sea
Protection, Sergio Costa, said:
Whilst we have decided to postpone COP26, including
the Pre-COP and ‘Youth for the Climate’ event, we
remain fully committed to meeting the challenge of
climate change.
Tackling climate change requires strong, global and
ambitious action. Participation from the younger
generations is imperative, and we are determined to
host the ‘Youth for the Climate’ event, together with
the Pre-COP and outreach events.
We will continue to work with our British partners to
deliver a successful COP26.
COP25 President, Minister Carolina Schmidt, said:
The decision of the Bureau on the postponement of
COP26 is unfortunately a needed measure to protect
all delegates and observers.
Our determination is to make sure that the momentum
for climate ambition will continue, particularly for
the preparation and submissions of new NDCs this year
