The Cop26 climate summit has been promoted by lawmakers and the UN as the best hope of saving the planet.
Each day will have a different theme drawn from the four overarching goals of tackling climate change.
Other discussions at November's summit in Glasgow will focus on energy, youth empowerment, zero-emission transport and protecting nature.
“The Cop26 summit in Glasgow is our best hope of safeguarding the planet for everyone, building a brighter future and keeping the 1.5°C target alive,” said Cop26 President Alok Sharma.
“I have been pleased to see progress and momentum on the four key goals I have been taking to governments across the world and the presidency programme will continue this throughout the two weeks of the summit.
“From finance to energy and gender to adaptation, these are vital issues that need to be addressed to make Cop26 inclusive and successful.”
What are the four main themes of Cop26?
1. Secure global net-zero by mid-century and keep a limit of 1.5°C temperature increase within reach
2. Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
3. Mobilise finance
4. Work together to deliver
1. Secure global net-zero by mid-century and keep a limit of 1.5°C temperature increase within reach
The conference will discuss how to accelerate the phasing out of coal and the switch to electric vehicles. It will also consider how to curtail deforestation and encourage investment in renewables.
2. Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
The conference will consider how best to protect and rewild ecosystems. Measures discussed will include how to build defences and warning systems, and how the economics of agriculture on the environment can be mitigated.
3. Mobilise finance
Countries must makes good on their promise to mobilise at least $100 billion in climate finance per year by 2020. Cop26 will aim to hold the feet of global financial institutions to the fire and ensure the trillions required to ensure global net zero are unleashed.
4. Work together to deliver
Cop26 delegates will work together to finalise the Paris Rulebook – the detailed rules that make the Paris Agreement functional. They will also look at how to create collaboration between governments, business and civil society.
What are the subjects being discussed at Cop26?
The timetable called the UK’s Presidency Programme, “sits at the heart of the UN summit and will focus on closing off the outstanding aspects of the Paris Agreement”.
The subjects being discussed are:
- Mobilising public and private finance
- Accelerating the transition to clean energy
- Elevating the voice of young people and demonstrating the critical role of public empowerment
- Ensuring sustainable land use
- Adapting to climate hits and addressing the losses and damage
- Progressing meaningful participation by women and girls
- Looking at innovative science
- Driving towards zero-emission transport
- Promoting environmental action in cities
Advisers to the UK government have warned that the country must rapidly step up action on climate change or risk undermining success at the Cop26 talks.
Policies are urgently needed, the Climate Change Committee says, to use clean heat pumps in homes, ensure new houses are energy-efficient and can cope with heatwaves, drive the shift to electric vehicles, and encourage people to eat less meat.
The Climate Change Committee warned in June that the UK government is not delivering on the targets it has set to tackle global warming.
The committee’s latest progress reports to Parliament show the UK is not on course to meet commitments made under the Paris climate deal to cut emissions by 2030 and legal carbon-cutting targets for the late 2020s and 2030s.
Cop26 preparation – in pictures
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A cyclist passes by as construction workers prepare the site of the Cop26 summit in Glasgow, Scotland. November will see the UK host world leaders at the 26th UN Climate Summit. Getty Images -
Construction workers at the site of the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow. Queen Elizabeth II, Pope Francis and US President Joe Biden are among the high-profile people expected to attend. Getty Images -
Scottish police officers take part in a role-play exercise recreating a protest in Glasgow. The police numbers involved at Cop26 will eclipse those seen at previous high-profile events in Scotland. Reuters -
World leaders will gather to discuss steps to achieve a zero-carbon future by 2050. Getty Images -
Construction workers at the SEC Armadillo building, one of the summit venues. Getty Images -
Scottish police officers take part in role-play exercise, recreating a protest during Cop26 public order training. Reuters
