· COP26 is our “best chance” of limiting rising global
temperatures to 1.5C
· Mr Sharma to stress the need to end coal power to tackle
climate change
· Speech details UK’s efforts as hosts of COP26 between now and
Glasgow
This year’s major climate summit COP26 will be the world’s best
chance of building a cleaner, greener future, COP26
President-Designate will say today (Friday 14 May).
In a major speech outside of Glasgow where, in six months’ time
COP26 will have wrapped up, Mr Sharma will outline how the UK is
striving to make sure these two weeks are the moment that every
country and every part of society embraces their responsibility
to protect our planet.
He will be supported by government ministers who will be taking
part in climate-related visits throughout Friday to show how the
UK is greening all parts of society - from hospitals and prisons,
to jobs and transport.
The COP26 President-Designate’s speech will explain how the UK is
working towards success in Glasgow. This centres around working
with all countries to make a consistent and concerted effort in
four areas: Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees, enabling
communities and natural habitats to adapt to the impacts of
climate change, mobilising climate finance, and working together
to deliver action.
COP26 will bring together climate negotiators from 196 countries,
the EU, as well as businesses, organisations, experts and world
leaders at the SEC in Glasgow from 1-12 November.
Six years on from COP21, when the Paris Agreement was reached and
the world agreed to limit global warming to 1.5C, this year’s
summit will be where all countries commit to the action needed to
keep this target alive.
COP26 President-Designate is expected to say:
“This is our last hope of keeping 1.5 degrees alive. Our best
chance of building a brighter future. A future of green jobs and
cleaner air. I have faith that world leaders will rise to the
occasion and not be found wanting in their tryst with destiny.
That, in six months time, when we are packing up and going home,
we will be able to say that at this critical juncture, each of us
took responsibility. That we chose to act. And that we kept 1.5
degrees alive.
“In preparing for this speech I asked my daughters what message I
should give to world leaders about their priorities. Their
response was simple: “please, tell them to pick the planet.” And
that’s the message I want to leave you with today. A message from
my daughters. A message from future generations. This is our
moment. There are no second chances. Let’s pick the planet.”
The speech will have a particular focus on the importance of
ending the world’s reliance on coal, and embracing the
opportunities of renewable power.
On this, Mr Sharma is expected to say:
“Because if we are serious about 1.5 degrees, Glasgow must be the
COP that consigns coal to history… we are working directly with
governments, and through international organisations. To end
international coal financing. This is a personal priority. And to
urge countries to abandon coal power, with the G7 leading the
way. Whilst working with developing countries to support their
transition to clean energy…
“…The days of coal providing the cheapest form of power are in
the past. And in the past they must remain… The coal business is,
as the UN Secretary General has said, going up in smoke. It’s old
technology. So let’s make COP26 the moment we leave it in the
past where it belongs, while supporting workers and communities
to make the transition. Creating good green jobs to fill the
gap.”
The UK is leading the way in climate action. In 2012, 40% of our
electricity came from coal. That figure is now less than 2%.
Which shows that change is possible. The UK was the first country
to pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, we will
completely phase out coal power by 2024 and will end the sale of
new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.
Indeed going green and boosting prosperity are not mutually
exclusive, over the last 30 years British governments have grown
our economy by 78% while cutting emissions by 44%.
Notes to editors:
-
COP26 is regarded widely as the most significant climate
event since COP21, the 2015 United Nations climate conference
which resulted in the Paris Agreement. At Paris, for the
first time, the world set the goal to limit global warming to
well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to
pre-industrial levels (1850-1900).
