United front vital for meeting to be success

THE Cop26 climate change summit has been billed as a ‘last-chance saloon’ to save the planet.

It’s essential that the conference is a success – and that Glasgow and Scotland are shown in their best light.

Both civic and government leaders at local and national level have to show a willingness to resolve the problems that could derail the event.

And there are several: a bins strike threatens to create turmoil, presenting Glasgow as a filthy city blighted by vermin infestations and a litter epidemic. Industrial unrest means the rail system also faces cancellations and virtual paralysis.

If these do go ahead, Scotland’s biggest city risks being made a laughing stock on a global stage.

But the city was in a poor condition for months throughout the pandemic – despite the SNP council leader’s insistence that all that was required was a mere ‘spruce-up’.

For residents, there is the bleak prospect of road closures making sections of the city difficult or impossible to navigate in the coming weeks.

As Jonathan Brocklebank writes on this page, there is a sense of ‘national torpor’ about this hugely important meeting of world leaders on our doorstep.

Many are understandably fearful of protests and demonstrations – and the risk of anarchists going on the rampage causing untold damage.

But police chiefs have been preparing for months – and are as prepared as they can be for the monumental challenges that lie ahead. Around 10,000 officers will be deployed each day and Police Scotland has called on extensive back-up from elsewhere in the UK.

There’s also no doubt that the run-up to this momentous gathering has been marred by unedifying political conflict behind the scenes.

Cop26 president Alok Sharma is said to be concerned that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ramped up hopes of a climate policy breakthrough – hopes that may not be fulfilled.

Yet there’s an unparalleled opportunity for a genuine breakthrough that could help to prevent an escalation of the climate change crisis.

It’s now time to end the blame game – and for everyone involved in the organisation of this crucial event to work together and focus on ensuring that it’s remembered as a triumph.