Observers say the Glasgow gathering, which runs until Nov 12, will be tough going.
Most nations have already submitted their renewed emissions-cutting plans – known as “nationally determined contributions”, or NDCs – in advance of COP26.
But event these current commitments – if followed – would still lead to a “catastrophic” warming of 2.7 Celsius, according to the UN.
EYES ON INDIA
China, by far the world’s biggest carbon polluter, has just submitted to the UN its revised climate plan, which repeats a long-standing goal of peaking emissions by 2030.
US-China tensions were simmering Monday after Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan labelled Beijing among the “significant outliers”.
He added China “will not be represented at leader level at COP26 and … has an obligation to step up to greater ambition as we go forward.”
India meanwhile has yet to submit a revised NDC, a requirement under the Paris deal.
Modi’s address is keenly anticipated, though it was not clear if it would contain new climate pledges.
Another pressing issue is the failure of rich countries to deliver us$100 billion annually to help climate-vulnerable nations adapt to climate change.
The goal – meant to be delivered last year – has been postponed to 2023, exacerbating tensions between richer nations, responsible for global warming, and those poorer countries who are the victims of its effects.
The addresses from well over 100 world leaders will be closely scrutinised in particular by young activists who travelled to Scotland by train.
“As citizens across the planet, we urge you to face up to the climate emergency,” they said in an open letter signed by Thunberg among others, which had gathered nearly a million signatures.
“Not next year. Not next month. Now.”
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