Time is running out on climate, says PM
BORIS Johnson will today issue a doomsday warning that the world is at “one minute to midnight” on efforts to tackle climate change.
But yesterday, ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow, the PM admitted it may already be too late to drive down rising temperatures.
A gloomy Mr Johnson warned at the G20 summit in Rome this week’s landmark event was heading for failure, with the target to keep the increase below 1.5C “in the balance”.
At the COP26 opening ceremony today, the PM will tell fellow leaders they need to “get real” about climate change. He is to say: “Humanity has long since run down the clock on climate change. It’s one minute to midnight and we need to act now.
“If we don’t get serious about climate change today, it will be too late for our children to do so tomorrow.”
But he faced claims some of his policies – which include cutting duties on domestic flights, freezing fuel duty and slashing foreign aid – throw his commitment into doubt.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg said: “When you see a pattern of these policies, that all the time are avoiding taking real action, then I think you can draw conclusions... that climate change is not really our main priority right now”. Protests from environmental campaigners are expected as more than 25,000 people descend on Glasgow for the summit.
The UK is urging countries to hit net zero emissions by 2050 and to commit to phasing out coal, switching to electric cars and planting trees and financially supporting developing nations.
But chances of a breakthrough fell after Xi Jinping of China, Vladimir Putin of Russia and Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil – three of the world’s biggest polluters – announced they were staying away.
At the COP26 opening ceremony Mr Johnson, Prince Charles and Sir David Attenborough will deliver speeches, followed by a video message from the Queen, who is still resting.
At the G20 summit, leaders agreed a 20-page climate document stating national emissions targets should be strengthened “if necessary” and watered down the 2050 date.
A downbeat Mr Johnson said it was “touch and go” whether world leaders could get falling emissions back on track. He warned: “If Glasgow fails then the whole thing fails.”
The UK will today announce an additional £1billion for climate finance – but only if the economy continues to grow.