Unequal access to vaccines, increased spread of infection and difficulties in traveling during the pandemic.

This makes it difficult for delegates from poorer countries to participate in the UN climate meeting COP26 in November, several international environmental organizations believe.

Therefore, they want the meeting to be postponed.

The most affected are outside

In a press release, the Climate Action Network (CAN), which represents more than 1,500 environmental organizations, says that the climate summit risks becoming unequal if it is held in November as planned.

CAN believes that the countries most affected by the climate crisis will be excluded from the discussions, as their delegations, organizations and journalists will find it difficult to attend the meeting.

- We are concerned that the countries that are most affected by the climate crisis and that have not received help with vaccines from richer countries, will be excluded from COP26, says Tasneem Essop, head of the Climate action network.

CAN also warns that if the poorer countries are excluded, it will have long-term consequences for climate work.

Especially about the issues to be discussed at this year's climate meeting that affect developing countries, such as climate financing and regulation of carbon dioxide emissions.

"Climate change has not taken a break"

Delegates from more than 190 countries usually take part in the talks at the climate summit. During the current pandemic, however, the UK has been red-listed several of the poorest countries, which still have problems with the spread of infection and vaccination rates. A red list means that even fully vaccinated people risk being put in a long and costly quarantine. The British government has now announced that it will pay the hotel costs for these countries' delegates during the quarantine period. They also plan to offer vaccines to those delegates who have not had the opportunity to be vaccinated.

- Ensuring that those most affected by climate change can make their voices heard is something we prioritize in Glasgow.

COP26 has already been postponed for a year, and we all know all too well that climate change has not taken time off.

The latest IPCC report underlines why the meeting must be held in November, Alok Sharma, who has been appointed by the British government to be responsible for COP26, told the BBC.

The UN climate summit was canceled last year due to the pandemic.

This year, COP26 takes place in Glasgow, 1 to 12 November.

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