COP26 sharply criticized as the most exclusive climate summit ever

GLASGOW, Scotland — Climate campaigners and environmental activists have sharply criticized the organization of the COP26 climate summit, saying the UN-brokered talks are the most exclusive they have ever known.

The conference, which officially opened on Sunday, is being billed as humanity’s last and best chance to prevent the worst that the climate crisis has in store. will preside over

Logistical issues, exclusion of disabled people and lack of participation from the global South are just some of the criticisms directed at the event organizers.

“The UK is committed to hosting a comprehensive COP,” a COP spokesperson said in a statement.

“Ensuring that the voices of those most affected by climate change are heard is a priority for the COP26 presidency, and if we want to make a difference for the planet, all countries and citizens Society needs to bring their ideas and ambitions to Glasgow,” he added.

“I want to be polite,” COP26 coalition spokesman Asad Rehman told CNBC on Tuesday when asked about the COP26 experience so far. , the worst organized, and the least effective COP.

Lehmann said he has been participating in UN climate negotiations for more than a decade, saying Covid-19 restrictions, a lack of affordable accommodation meant only a third of the usual number of participants representing the Global South could make it to COP26. Presumed I couldn’t attend and I can’t access the meeting.

He said this would “significantly undermine” the credibility of the meeting, before adding that some civil society groups in attendance were also “locked out” of the negotiations. A UK-based group representing indigenous communities, frontline activists and grassroots campaigns.

Earlier in the week, a chaotic scene was seen outside the venue as attendees lined up in long lines to access the SEC complex in Glasgow.

COP26 President Alok Sharma told reporters earlier in the week that he “regrets” that delegates had to stand in long lines to enter the venue.

“This is a unique COP in a very unusual time,” Sharma said on Wednesday. We hope to resolve this in the next few days.”

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who plans to join thousands of other young people in climate protests on Friday, said COP26 can no longer be considered a climate conference.

“This is the Greenwash Festival of the Global North,” Thunberg said on Twitter on Thursday, referring to criticism of the Glasgow summit being described as “the most excluded COP ever”. did.

“A celebration of two weeks of business as usual and blah blah,” she added.

This follows the UK government’s pledge to make the Glasgow Summit “the most inclusive COP ever” and to alleviate concerns about safety and inclusiveness at the event amid the coronavirus pandemic. It said additional measures would be taken to

But the UN’s climate chief Patricia Espinosa has admitted that measures put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic could make the summit less accessible than previous COPs. .

The Climate Action Network, a global alliance of more than 1,500 environmental campaign groups, announced the event in early September, citing concerns that it would be “impossible” to ensure a safe, inclusive and fair global climate conference. I asked for a postponement.

US youth climate activist Alexandria Vilasener described the summit as an “exclusive dystopian hellscape.”

“First of all, it’s true that there is one entrance for 20,000 attendees. It’s like one file line for everyone to get in and go through security. I’ve spent four hours in the last two days Spent side by side. Confusion and failure. Part of the organizers,” Villasenor said on Twitter Wednesday.

The 16-year-old boy said observers from civil society groups and NGOs were unable to access the negotiating space in person and were instead forced to observe the plenary session online in another room.

Villasenor also criticized the summit’s failure to consider the participation of people with disabilities, citing the lack of sign language interpreters on stage at COP26 and the lack of wheelchair access.

Israeli Energy Minister Karine Elharrar was unable to attend the COP26 summit earlier in the week because the venue is not wheelchair accessible. She has since criticized the United Nations for not providing accessibility to its events, despite promoting the importance of ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologized to Elhaller during a meeting on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Dipti Vatnagar, co-coordinator of climate justice and energy at the environmental group Friends of the Earth International, said last week that the UK was on track to deliver “the most exclusive COP ever”. said.

Vatnagar, who was unable to travel to Glasgow from Mozambique, where she is based, said on Sunday, “The chaotic last-minute nature of the plan to support overseas participation means that many people from countries in the south of the world Too late for a representative.

“It is difficult to understand how the outcome of COP26 can be seen as fair and justified when those on the front lines of climate change impacts cannot speak out in the streets of Glasgow or in the halls of the COP.” she added.