COP26
Climate Change Conference Postponement
The
COP26 UN climate change conference set to take place in Glasgow in November has
been postponed due to COVID-19.
This decision has been taken by 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 Alok Sharma 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”.
Contact:
Fatou Jassey, Press & Public Affairs Officer fatou.jassey@fco.gov.uk
