Russia, China and Saudi Arabia may not attend climate summit
Whitehall sources acknowledge there is a significant ‘question mark’ over the Russian president
China and Saudi Arabia have yet to make NDC commitments ahead of Cop26
MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN could join Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in opting not to attend Cop26 next month, in a potential blow to Boris Johnson’s goals for the climate summit.
The Saudi crown prince is one of several world leaders who are understood not to have confirmed their attendance in Glasgow, despite the Prime Minister calling on the country to put forward “ambitious” targets in a call last week.
It comes days after it was reported that President Xi of China is not expected to attend the conference and the Queen was overheard expressing her concern that it was unclear as to who would be present. Meanwhile, the Russian ambassador to the UK yesterday stated that no decision had been taken on whether Mr Putin would attend.
Whitehall sources have also acknowledged that there is a significant “question mark” over the Russian president.
It means that the leaders of three of the world’s most influential countries in regards to tackling climate change are still unaccounted for, despite intensive diplomatic efforts by the UK Government to make Cop26 a defining moment on the international stage.
Senior Government sources have told The Daily Telegraph they are still hopeful that the crown prince will still attend the summit, but insisted that his presence or that of other notable world leaders was not essential to whether it succeeded.
They also pointed out more than 100 world leaders had confirmed they would attend in-person talks, among them US President Joe Biden and the Australian premier Scott Morrison.
One added that Saudi Arabia remained “very engaged” on climate talks, while another said that Beijing had committed to sending a high-level delegation.
However, despite all nations being asked to come forward with new targets, known as nationally determined contributions, or NDCS, to cut emissions, China and Saudi Arabia have yet to make new commitments ahead of the summit.
Both countries declined to submit updated pledges in time for the United Nations’ deadline. Some in Whitehall fear that Beijing could delay bringing forward new targets until next year when the next UN climate summit is due to take place in Africa.
While this has been challenged by others in Government, it is thought that China would have more of a geopolitical interest in doing so as it has invested billions of pounds in the continent through its Belt and Road Initiative.
It comes after Andrei Kelin, Russia’s top diplomat in Britain, yesterday confirmed that Mr Putin had not made a final decision on whether to attend.
Speaking to the BBC’S Andrew Marr Show, he added: “But we will send a large delegation and believe me it will be a delegation that will consist of more than 200 people.
“The government will be represented at a very high level.”
He defended Russia’s efforts to decarbonise, saying “we take the issue very seriously. The day before yesterday the president announced that we now have set a goal of reaching hydrocarbon neutrality by 2060.”
♦ Japan has been accused of “failing to set an example” ahead of Cop26 after sending its “Air Force One” jet 11,000 miles to test Scotland’s airports. The Boeing 777, used by its emperor and prime minister, was seen at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports last Thursday.