World leaders are in Glasgow for the UN’s annual climate change conference.
Conference of the Parties Cop26, the – you guessed it – 26th conference is taking place from 31 October to 12 November after it was delayed by a year due to the – you guessed it again -–coronavirus pandemic, and leaders are discussing ways in which to mitigate against the worst effects of climate change and reduce greenhouse gases.
As day three of the talks swing into action what has happened so far?
Here’s everything you need to know.
World leaders appear to fall asleep during speeches
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We’ve all been guilty of catching 40 winks when we’re not quite supposed to but not all of us are the President of the United States of America.
So it’s... unfortunate that footage of Biden closing his eyes during the conferences' opening speeches and being nudged by an aide has gone viral, though whether he was actually asleep is unclear.
Biden appears to fall asleep during COP26 opening speeches pic.twitter.com/az8NZTWanI
— Zach Purser Brown (@zachjourno) November 1, 2021
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson was also snapped at an unfortunate time with his eyes closed, maskless and next to David Attenborough to top it off, but a No 10 source told The Mirror it was “total nonsense” to suggest he was asleep and other photos showed him with his eyes open.
Boris Johnson turns up late
Boris Johnson delivered his speech half an hour late on day one of the conference.
Due to start at midday, the Prime Minister didn’t get going until 12.30pm, with suggestions it was because US Biden – having landed in Edinburgh around 11am – had not reached his seat on time.
Long queues
Not all events are seamless and Cop26 is no different. Reports suggested there were long queues and that it took attendees hours to get through security checks at points on Monday morning.
Photos of the long lines appeared on social media, with journalists reporting they were being told by security not to tweet pictures and videos of the crowds.
Good morning from sunny (!) Glasgow where there are already long lines to enter the #COP26 blue zone. pic.twitter.com/U0ngyXEo5Q
— Louise Boyle (@LouiseB_NY) November 2, 2021
CNN turn up at the wrong Scottish city
It has long been a stereotype that Americans aren’t always that clued up on British geography and CNN did nothing to disprove that when they sent veteran US news anchor Wolf Blitzer to broadcast from Edinburgh, not Glasgow.
After he obliviously tweeted: “I’m now reporting from Edinburgh in Scotland where 20,000 world leaders and delegates have gathered for the COP26 Climate Summit,” he was mocked on Twitter.
I’m now reporting from Edinburgh in Scotland where 20,000 world leaders and delegates have gathered for the COP26 Climate Summit. COP, by the way, stands for “Conference of the Parties.” It’s the 26th time they have gathered to discuss and take action on this critical issue. pic.twitter.com/BGTAeU5cBy
— Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) November 1, 2021
Archbishop of Canterbury apologises for Nazi comparison
The Archbishop of Canterbury apologised after suggesting in an interview with the BBC that failure to act at Cop26 could be graver than leaders who ignored warnings about the Nazis in the 1930s.
Justin Welby had said that world leaders “will be cursed if they don’t get this right”.
Retracting his remarks, he said:
I unequivocally apologise for the words I used when trying to emphasise the gravity of the situation facing us at COP26. It's never right to make comparisons with the atrocities brought by the Nazis, and I'm sorry for the offence caused to Jews by these words. https://t.co/T0Be5rpnc1
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) November 1, 2021
Greta Thunberg says talk is all “blah blah blah”
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg slammed the leaders for their “blah blah blah”, accusing them of all talk, no action.
It is not the first time she’s used the phrase. “Build back better. Blah, blah, blah. Green economy. Blah blah blah. Net zero by 2050. Blah, blah, blah,” Thunberg said at the Youth4Climate conference in September.
Johnson later paraphrased her in his speech but didn’t credit her for the inspiration.
Minister unable to attend conference because it was not wheelchair accessible
An Israeli minister who uses a wheelchair was unable to attend the opening day of the conference because of accessibility issues at the conference.
Writing on Twitter, Karine Elharrar said it was “sad” the UN “does not take care of accessibility” and it was reported the delegation has filed an official complaint.
She said: “To COP26 I came to meet with my counterparts around the world and promote a joint fight against the climate crisis. It is sad that the UN, which promotes accessibility for people with disabilities, in 2021, does not take care of accessibility at its events.
“I hope that the lessons required to be learned tomorrow to promote green energies, remove barriers and energy efficiency will be the things I deal with.”
Officials responded with outrage and UK Foreign Office minister James Cleverly said:
I am deeply disappointed and frustrated that Minister @KElharrar could not access COP today.
— James Cleverly🇬🇧 (@JamesCleverly) November 1, 2021
The COP venue is designed to be accessible for all. I have spoken to the Minister about this and I look forward to meeting her tomorrow.
Leaders take flights to attend climate change conference
Johnson has attracted criticism for opting to fly back from the summit, rather than taking the train. The PM’s spokesperson said the train would be too slow.
Optics...
Boris Johnson says he wants Britain to be a “world leader” on tackling the climate crisis.
— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) November 1, 2021
He also will be flying from Glasgow to London tomorrow, one week after slashing taxes on domestic flights.
He’s taking the p*ss.
Leaders commit to climate change action
And here are some of the pledges. Some 100 countries are signing up to a pledge to halt deforestation and restore forests around the world by 2030.
Meanwhile, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has announced a 2070 target for net zero carbon emissions. India is one of the three biggest emitters and Johnson called the target “ambitious”.
The US has also rejoined the High Ambition Coalition at the UN climate talks, the group of developed and developing countries that ensured the 1.5C goal was a key pillar of the Paris agreement.
The conference continues.
