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It was a gray and windy morning when dozens of world leaders arrived at the Scottish Events campus of the main United Nations climate conference in the city of Glasgow.
From 6:30 am onwards, a long line gathered at the gates to get certified and go through heavy security, including showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
Journalists from around the world began lining up in event halls equipped with dozens of microphones, cameras, lighting and recording equipment.
As COP26 kicks off, hear from world leaders including co-hosts UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission I’m ready. Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
“We want the head of state to be a true leader. Ignite change and step up at COP26Juan Pablo Sierra, a young climate activist with the NGO United for Climate Action, told UN News just before the ceremony began.
Long lines to enter the COP26 venue in Glasgow, Scotland.
keynote speech
A young Scottish piper, Brigde Shambhu, played live in the plenary hall this morning.
Addressing leaders at the first major global gathering since the COVID-19 pandemic, COP President Alok Sharma said: Change, rapidly closing. But with the political will and dedication, Glasgow can and must deliver results the world can be proud of. ”
Britain’s Boris Johnson was the first leader to speak at the ceremony, which kicked off at 12:30pm local time, appearing in the climate crisis and one of the James Bond films shot on the set in Glasgow. Compared with the terminal device. .
“We need to have this COP26 the moment we get real about climate change. advocated.
“COP26 is not the end of the climate change story, it’s not the end,” he added, emphasizing that even if the meeting ended with the necessary commitments, the work would not be finished.
“We may not feel like James Bond or look like James Bond, but COP26 must be the beginning of that bomb dismantling“Yes, it will be difficult, but yes, we can do it,” he concluded.
47% Call for Positive Climate Action Coup | #COP26 | Youth Advisory Group | UN
“Agent of Hope”
Two young activists followed the prime minister in calling on leaders to take bold action.
“With your words, please remember that you have weapons that can save us and sell us. You don’t need my pain and tears to end this crisis. Not just victims, but resilient bearers of hope.We are not drowning, we are fighting,” they said.
Kenyan environment and climate activist Elizabeth Watuti “We need courage to respond to the climate and ecological crisis.The next two weeks will be crucial for our children, our species and many other creatures. Let’s step in.”
The mentor was also addressed by poet Ilsa Daly Ward, who wrote a specially commissioned poem. COP from ground It contains the line: Anything slower than now is too little and too late. Nothing changes without you. ”
Secretary-General António Guterres took the podium and delivered a candid opening message: Our dependence on fossil fuels is pushing humanity to the brink. ”
“We have a tough choice to make. Either we stop it or it stops us.”
A solar power plant in Andalusia, southern Spain.
1. It’s Time to Say “Enough”
“It is enough to brutalize biodiversity, carbon-suicide, treat nature like a toilet, burn it, dig it, dig deeper.”
“We’re digging our own graves,” Guterres said, adding that before our very eyes, melting glaciers were transforming into constant extreme weather.
He notes that the rate of sea level rise is double what it was 30 years ago, that the oceans are hotter than ever, and that parts of the Amazon rainforest are now releasing more carbon than they absorb. reminded me of
“Recent climate change policy announcements may give the impression that we are trying to turn things around. Citing the latest report on the plan, the report shows that even if fully achieved, the result would be a “disastrous” rise of 2.7 degrees for the world.
“And even if recent pledges have been clear and credible – and there are serious questions about some of them – we are still concerned about climate catastrophes. We are still heading towards a climate disaster as we begin the much-anticipated climate conference,” he stressed.
Mongolia’s Ulaanbaatar is one of the most polluted cities in the world.
2. Maintain 1.5 degree target
The UN Secretary-General called for greater mitigation ambition and immediate concrete action to reduce global emissions by 45% by 2030. Efforts that developed countries should take the lead.
“G20 countries have a special responsibility as they account for about 80% of emissions,” he said, making it clear that emerging economies must also do more.
“We need the greatest ambition from every country on every front. to make Glasgow successful“, he added.
Mr. Guterres called on countries to build a coalition to create the financial and technological conditions to accelerate the decarbonisation of the economy and the phase out of coal.
The Secretary-General also referred to key negotiation issues at this COP26, urging countries to review their climate plans and policies annually, rather than every five years, if commitments were insufficient by the end of COP26. said there was a need.
“There is a lack of credibility and a surplus of confusion about emissions reductions and net-zero targets with different meanings and different metrics,” he said, referring to an expert who proposes clear criteria for measuring and analyzing net-zero commitments. Home Group announced the establishment of non-state actors.
COP26, the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, has officially kicked off in Glasgow. (October 31, 2021)
3. We must do more to protect vulnerable communities
Some 4 billion people have been hit by climate-related disasters in the past decade, and the impacts are increasing, says the UN Secretary-General.
Mr. Guterres emphasized that adaptation measures work and that early warning systems and climate-smart agriculture and infrastructure save lives and jobs.
“All donors must allocate half of their climate change finance to adaptation. Public and multilateral development banks should start as soon as possible,” he said.
Four. COP must be a moment of solidarity
The UN Secretary-General reiterated his call for a $100 billion climate finance commitment to help developing countries.
He said fulfilling the promises made at COP15 in Copenhagen is essential to restore trust and confidence, but more than that, developing countries should fight COVID-19 and build resilience. We need far more resources to build and pursue sustainable development.
“The most suffering countries, namely the least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS), are in urgent need of funding. More public climate finance. More overseas development aid. More grants. Easier access to funding,” he stressed.
Extreme weather has devastated many countries, including Fiji, which was hit by a cyclone in 2016.
Five. Build on progress
With many countries making credible commitments to reach net zero emissions by mid-century and potentially ending international coal funding, more than 700 cities are leading the way to carbon neutrality. he said he does.
The secretary-general said the private sector is also waking up and building new alliances to foster change.
“Young-led climate forces are unstoppable. They are getting bigger. They are louder. I will,” he said.
Mr. Guterres warned that we are rapidly approaching a tipping point that will trigger an escalation of global warming feedback loops, but investing in a net-zero climate-resilient economy will create its own feedback loop: sustainability. It would create a virtuous cycle of growth, jobs and opportunity, he warned. .
“On behalf of current and future generations, I ask that you: Choose your ambition. choose unity. Choose to protect our future and save humanity,” he concluded.
“We are the greatest problem solvers that ever existed”: Attenborough
The UN Secretary-General was followed by David Attenborough, Voice of the People at COP26, delivering a passionate speech accompanied by clips of activists from around the world.
“After all, we are the greatest problem solvers that have ever existed on the planet. this Problem, we know how to stop the numbers rising and reverse it. This guy has to cut carbon emissions in half in 10 years. Billions of tons of carbon must be retrieved from the atmosphere. We have to set our sights on keeping 1.5 degrees within reach,” he said.
A well-known environmental activist and broadcaster, he believes that working separately we are powerful enough to destabilize the planet, and together we are powerful enough to save it. I’m talking
“In my lifetime I have witnessed a terrible decline. should do it make a spectacular recovery. That desperate hope, ladies and gentlemen, delegates, sirs, is why the world is watching you. you that is here” he emphasized.
Biden: We need a ‘decade of ambition’
Later in the day, when leaders released their national statements, US President Joe Biden said that if world leaders united in their commitment, the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees could be maintained. said.
“Glasgow must begin a decade of ambition and innovation to safeguard our shared future,” he said, noting that climate change has already cost millions of lives and money. reminded me that there is
US President Joseph R. Biden addresses the opening ceremony of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
The US leader said his country will announce new commitments in the coming days to mobilize action. These include measures against the agriculture, oil and gas, and forestry sectors.
He also announced that he would soon unveil a long-term plan that would allow the United States to become net zero by 2050.
“We are still not enough… There is no more time for hanging out, sitting on the fence, arguing among ourselves. This is our collective lifelong agenda,” he stressed. did.
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