Second week of COP26 climate work – Britain calls for more commitments |

London, Thanasis Gavos

Boris Johnson urges governments to maintain the momentum that developed during the first half of the work of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change COP26 in Glasgow, as the conference enters its second and final week.

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom said late Sunday that “there is one week left for COP26 to achieve results for the world and we must all join forces and run to the finish line”.

Mr Johnson noted the agreements so far on phasing out coal, ending deforestation, reducing methane emissions and increasing funding for the most vulnerable countries. “But we can not underestimate the size of the project to keep (the goal of keeping global warming at) one and a half degrees Celsius alive. “Countries must return to the table this week ready to make the courageous compromises and ambitious commitments they need.”

This week’s themes at COP26 focus on transport, climate change adaptation, gender equality in relation to the environment, science and cities.

It is also the final stretch of the negotiations between the 196 countries participating in the conference on a number of issues, such as the process of monitoring the implementation of the climate commitments.

It is noted that in order to reach a goal there must be unanimity. However, according to Greenpeace chief executive Jennifer Morgan, Saudi Arabian negotiators in Glasgow are trying to block the final joint COP26 statement, which is expected to include a commitment to speed up action to reach the 1.5-point target.

COP26 President Alok Sarma acknowledged on Monday that reaching a consensus between so many countries would not be an easy task, but said the first week of work had shown a “constructive spirit” in the talks.

He added that the commitments already made should be implemented and monitored.