Cop26, the alarm from Biden, Johnson and Guterres: "We are on the verge of an abyss, an existential threat"

• Cop26, Draghi: "Climate change can divide us"

• Cop26, the Pope: let the cry of the earth and the poor be heard

• Glasgow: Cop26 is underway.

  Sharma: "It's the last chance to target 1.5 degrees"

• Cop26 of Glasgow.

  A dinosaur at the UN: "Don't choose extinction"

• Cop26, BBC: some states lobby to change the UN climate report

• COP26, the final document awaiting Glasgow: Parliaments are central to the fight for the climate

• Pre-Cop26 meeting in the Chamber, Di Maio: global commitment is needed

• Climate.

  Pope: "Unprecedented crisis, Cop26 gives urgent answers to future generations"

• Clima, Timmermans: "Getting to Cop26 with a plan".

  Kerry: "G20 countries need to do more"

• Cop26.

  Greta Thunberg: "Goal 1.5 degrees is possible, but so far the leaders have failed"

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01 November 2021 Dramatic speech by the British premier at COP26, the UN climate conference that opened yesterday in Glasgow: the world finds itself like "James Bond in those films in which he has to defuse a deadly machine a few minutes before it clicks, but this does not it's a movie". Prince Charles: "Countries unite". Guterres: "Failure would be a death sentence". Borrell: "Our last best chance". Chinese President Xi's message: "Stronger actions needed". For US President Joe Biden, Glasgow must be "the starting point for a decade of ambition and innovation" to combat the "existential threat" of climate change.

"We have one minute before midnight. We have to act, the longer we wait the more expensive it will be." Thus the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson opening the two days of work of the Cop26 in Glasgow which sees more than 120 world leaders present. And he adds: "We have to disable this doomsday device." Then he quotes Greta Thunberg: "There is a risk that the commitments become a bla-bla-bla".

The British Prime Minister invokes the image of James Bond, "Glasgow's most famous son" in fiction, as an inspiration to save the earth: this time from the danger of climate change. But this warns Johnson "it is not a movie", the threat "is real", "the clock is running furiously" and carbon emissions continue to rise: hence the call "to act now". "If we fail" warns those present "young people will judge us badly, with good reason. We have technology and money, we need the will". "A flop of Cop26 - concludes the British premier - would unleash waves of anger in the world". 

"The six years that have passed since Cop21 in Paris were the hottest on record and we are on the verge of catastrophe". Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, says this in his opening speech at COP26 in Glasgow. "It is time to do something to deepen our work" because "we are digging our holes", warns Guterres, in fact "our planet is changing rapidly" and "we are heading towards climate catastrophe". 

As the United Nations number one recalls, "in the best of scenarios we are moving towards a 2 degree increase in temperature", while according to current commitments the increase is 2.7 degrees. In short, "failure is no longer an option, it would be the worst way to deal with all this", continues Guterres, now "the sirens are sounding, our planet is talking to us" and "we must listen, we must act and choose wisely" , therefore, he exhorts world leaders, "choose ambition, choose solidarity and save humanity".

It is an "illusion" to think that the fight against climate change has been won. United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said this at COP26 in Glasgow. He recalled that the latest reports on the climate showed the forecast of a disastrous increase of 2.7 degrees and then issued a series of warnings: "Stop brutalizing biodiversity. Stop killing us with carbon. Just treat nature like a bathroom. Just burn, drill, dig deeper. We're digging our own graves. "

"The US can set a great example, my administration is working hard so that these are not just words but facts. The hope is to transform the largest economy in the world into one of the most innovative for clean energy". Thus the US president Joe Biden, who spoke at COP26 in Glasgow. "There is no other time to stand by, this is a threat to our existence" said the White House tenant, inviting people to respond "to the call of history here in Glasgow, we can do it". 

"Will we do what is necessary or will we make future generations suffer? This is the decisive decade on climate, and the window is closing fast. Glasgow must kick things off," said Joe Biden.

"In the fight against climate change no one can do it alone, acting is in everyone's interest": said Joe Biden speaking at COP 26. "We must invest in clean energy, and that's what we will do in the US, we will reduce emissions by 2030 ". "Everyone plays their part with specific plans, especially the more developed nations," Biden said. a choice ".

The US president said that the volatility of energy prices must be considered "as a call to action". "The increase in energy prices - he said speaking to the leaders who arrived in Glasgow for the opening day of COP26 - only reinforces the urgent need to diversify sources, double the development of clean energy and adapt promising new ones. clean energy technologies ". 

"Within this growing catastrophe, I believe there is an incredible opportunity": said US president Joe Biden, speaking to leaders gathered in Glasgow for COP26. "This is a moral imperative, but it is also an economic imperative." 

"What we will do is reduce emissions by 50-52% compared to 2005 by 2030. My administration is working tirelessly proving that these are not words but actions. We are aiming for the goal of 1.5 degrees by 2030, transforming the largest economy in the world in the most innovative. That is why today we have a program to achieve zero emissions by 2050 ", said the US president.

To combat climate change "it will not be enough to act only at the level of governments" but "more is needed" and for this reason the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, in her speech at the COP26 in Glasgow expressed herself "in favor of putting a price on emissions of Co2 ". In this way, Merkel continued, countries can ensure that industry and companies adopt the best technologies to achieve climate neutrality. The ecological transition, continues the German chancellor, "means changing the way we do business, our way of working; it is an overall transformation and if we pursue it we know how to best achieve zero-emission mobility, zero-emission industry and zero-emission production processes ". Another fundamental element,according to Merkel, it is "stopping the international financing of electricity generated by coal". 

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on all parties "to take stronger action to tackle the climate challenge together". In the written statement sent to the COP26 summit of world leaders in Glasgow, Xi stressed that the negative effects of global warming "are increasingly evident" and that "the urgency for global action continues to grow". The president made three suggestions based on maintaining multilateral consensus, on the use of pragmatic actions and on accelerating green transformation through the use of scientific and technological innovation. 

"By 2070, India will reach the goal of carbon neutrality": Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this, speaking at COP26 in Glasgow. 

"The world must put itself in a disposition of war spirit, as a last resort, in the face of the challenge of climate change that impends on the planet". This was stated by Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, in his speech at the COP26.

"We must get on a war footing", the words of the Prince, historical environmentalist already called to take the chair in Rome before the leaders of the G20 and today present in Glasgow as de facto co-regent, in the absence of the 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth, held at rest by doctors. "We need - he remarks - a military-style campaign to deploy the strength of the trillions" needed to support the transition to a more sustainable economy even in poor countries, starting with investments "made available by the global private sector" . 

Prince Charles raises the alarm on the climate emergency. And it recalls a comparison with the Covid pandemic that has shown how "devastating" a global crisis can be. Not without adding that the overheating of the Earth risks being an "even more serious" and deadly danger for the future of humanity. In his speech, the appeal for collaboration between the public and the private sector returns to finance the transition to the post-carbon and a more sustainable economy: in addition to the importance of establishing "who should pay" for poor countries. 

"Cop26 is a moment of truth for our plans to stop climate change. Europe is committed to being the world's first climate-neutral continent and joining forces with its partners for action for the more ambitious climate. The global race for net zero by the middle of the century has begun ". The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, writes in a tweet. 

The latter will participate in some collateral initiatives at COP26. With Joe Biden he will launch a commitment to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 (gas more harmful to the climate than Co2) and with Bill Gates an initiative to finance green technologies and help bring them to market. The EU, together with others, will help South Africa accelerate its exit from coal, with a partnership that could be replicated in other parts of the world.

"We need to mobilize climate funds to support vulnerable countries to adapt. The EU will contribute fully to achieving our global adaptation goals. With nearly $ 27 billion in 2020, Team Europe is already the largest provider of funding for the climate, half of which for adaptation ".   

"The EU has shown strong leadership at the G20 in Rome to keep the 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming limit within reach. Our climate neutrality goal by 2050 showcases our commitment. We must make this the springboard for Cop26 in Glasgow. " The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, writes in a tweet.

It is a gigantic event, with complex challenges. The train strike was averted. On the accommodation we are doing everything possible to accommodate everyone. But the most important thing now is to fill the huge gap we have in climate over the next two weeks. World leaders will have a colossal responsibility. The world is not doing enough and this summit will decide the fate of the planet. "To say this, in an interview with Repubblica, is the Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who hosts Cop26 in Glasgow.

"Cop's motto is to 'keep the dream of 1.5 degrees alive' and prepare the ground so that this goal can be achieved in the coming years and thus avoid catastrophe". A common goal that has overshadowed even ancient rivalries: "Despite many of our differences, there has been great collaboration with London in recent months and I hope that the British government will achieve an excellent result with COP26. Furthermore, we want to be a example: Scotland has made a binding commitment to achieve zero emissions by 2045 (five years before the UK and the EU), and reduce them by 75% by 2030 ".

"We must have - adds Sturgeon - the right approach to the green transition. Consume less, develop energy alternatives, and at the same time retrain the tens of thousands of people who work in the oil and gas sectors. Our independence party has been elected. in the past also because of the promises about exploitation of oil. We cannot leave these workers behind. So, yes, we have to be quick in the transition, and at the moment almost 100% of our household electricity comes from clean energy. We have enormous potential in that. wind power. But this revolution must be done in the right way ".

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on "big emissions producers" to do more to fight climate change. "During the next 15 days at this cop26 - Macron said at the Glasgow conference - the major emissions producers, whose national strategies are not in line with our objectives, which foresee an increase in temperatures that does not exceed 1.5 degrees. , they must show themselves more ambitious ... it's the only way to be credible again ".

In the afternoon Draghi also spoke at a round table that offered interesting ideas on the interventions and the lines to follow, starting with renewable energy.

"In the long run we need to be aware that renewable energy can have limits. The European Commission tells us that it may not be enough to meet the ambitious goals we have set for 2030 and 2050. So, we need to start developing viable alternatives. now, because it will only be possible to take full advantage of it within a few years. In the meantime, we must invest in innovative technologies for carbon capture. " This was stated by the Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, speaking at the round table "Action and solidarity: the critical decade" at Cop26 in Glasgow.

"We must commit to ambitious reductions in our emissions, starting this decade, to prevent the impact of climate change from becoming catastrophic. This commitment was at the heart of the G20 Leaders' Declaration in Rome. The G20 countries must now support it. and implement it ". The Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, says so. "As we plan our next steps, we need to set ourselves concrete goals. This path requires creativity, ambition and sound economic planning. I am proud of the efforts made by Italy and the European Union through the Next Generation EU program. Member States have decided to turn the pandemic into an opportunity We have embarked on an ambitious series of reforms and investments.We intend to accelerate the environmental transition in our economies and make growth more equitable and sustainable ". (AGI) Mgm

"I would like to invite all multilateral development banks and the World Bank to make a serious commitment to sharing risks with the private sector. I suggest creating a task force here, during this COP26, to prepare a project to that effect." This was stated by the Prime Minister, Mario Draghi.

"I would really like to invite all multilateral development banks and the World Bank to make a serious commitment to sharing risks with the private sector. I suggest creating a task force here during this COP26 to prepare a project to that effect".

"This COP 26 must be the beginning of a new momentum, a quantum leap in our fight against climate change." Prime Minister Mario Draghi said this at the Cop26 opening ceremony in Glasgow.

 "Climate change also has serious repercussions on global peace and security. It can deplete natural resources and aggravate social tensions. It can lead to new migratory flows and contribute to terrorism and organized crime. Climate change can divide us," says the premier.

"Now, here at COP26 we need to go further, much more than we did at the G20. We need to accelerate our efforts to contain the temperature rise below 1.5 degrees. agreement of the G20 and act more quickly and decisively ", says Mario Draghi.

"The speeches we have just heard struck me deeply. In recent years, young people have done us a service by bringing the topic of climate to the center of our political debate. Young people have been at the center of the Pre-Cop Summit in Milan. In Glasgow, we must make them proud ", said Prime Minister Mario Draghi at the opening ceremony of COP26 in Glasgow.

"Future generations will judge us for what we get or what we fail to achieve. We must involve them, listen to them and, above all, learn from them", says the premier.

"We need to step up our efforts on climate funds. We need to make the public and private sectors work together, in new ways. Johnson pointed out the amount of money available: tens of trillions. But now we have to use them, we have to find a smart way to do it. spend them quickly. We need all multilateral banks and in particular the World Bank to share risks with the private sector that the private sector cannot afford. We need platforms. Johnson gave us the good news that money is not a problem if we want to use them well, says Prime Minister Mario Draghi at Cop26. 

“The projected rise in global temperatures is set to affect life on our planet dramatically. From catastrophic fires and floods, to coral reef discoloration and biodiversity loss, the impact of climate change is already all too evident. the cost of all of this increases rapidly, especially for the poorest nations. The cost of inconvenience for families and businesses in low and middle-income countries amounts to a whopping 390 billion dollars a year, "the premier said in Glasgow. 

"Prince Charles has just given us a road map. Prime Minister Johnson highlighted how much money there is: we are talking about tens of trillions of dollars. But now we have to use them," Draghi points out. "We need country-specific programs where the World Bank and other multilateral development banks can truly share the shares and make all this money usable for a positive effort." "In a way, this is the first piece of good news that Prime Minister Johnson gave us today: money is not a problem if we want to use it well," he points out. 

"We need to step up our efforts in climate finance. Italy has tripled its contribution to $ 7 billion over the next five years to help vulnerable countries. We need to make the public and private sectors work together. , in new ways. Tomorrow Roberto Cingolani, Minister for Ecological Transition, will announce an ambitious initiative by Italy ", said Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

After the inaugural speeches, in the afternoon Johnson chaired a round table - which was also attended by Mario Draghi - which saw together some of the world's largest economies with the countries most exposed to climate change, to understand on which fronts it is necessary to act and set the tone to the discussions of the next two weeks. Before the round table, Johnson held a series of meetings including a bilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennet, and with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

The COP26 therefore today and tomorrow sees the heads of state and government in Glasgow, who will launch the political messages necessary to give the framework to the Conference in two days, and then leave the field to the negotiators, until 12 November.

In the hope that they can find an agreement, under the autumn clouds of Scotland. Turkish President Recep Tayyp Erdogan will not be present for security reasons. Environment Minister Murat Kurum and other senior Turkish government officials will still attend the summit. Turkey was the last G20 country, and one of the last in the world, to ratify the Paris climate agreement at the beginning of October. Not even Chinese President XI Jinping will be present in person and will send a written statement that will be published on the summit website.

"There is no time to waste, we must take bold measures to tackle the climate crisis. We get to work today at COP26. With other executives, we try to find solutions and make real progress". Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it via social media.

The concrete objectives of the Glasgow conference are three. First, do what is necessary to keep the planet warming at around 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels, as foreseen by the 2015 Paris Agreement. And, to keep this target in sight, more effort is needed already in that. decade, as the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said. In short, those who have made commitments long ago should also present intermediate and concrete plans to implement them, already acting in this decade.

Second, mobilize climate finance, i.e. financial aid from the most developed countries (largely responsible for global warming) to the poorest ones, to help them move to a less polluting economy, managing to deliver 100 billion dollars. the year already starting from 2022, and not from 2023. Third, to find an agreement on the 'rulebook', the set of rules that, on a scientific basis, will make it possible to measure climate-altering emissions and the exchange of shares of the same between Countries, avoiding double counting. It is the most technical and complicated part of the negotiation, but also the one on which there is a certain optimism in Brussels.

Tens of thousands of activists who have descended on Glasgow in these hours are exerting pressure from the outside on the Conference: they are led by Greta, who was greeted at the station Saturday evening by a crowd of hundreds of people, photographers and policemen.

The young Swede will lead a youth demonstration on Friday, and then speak at the big protest march on Saturday: but these days it is already Greta-mania.

She appeared yesterday on the BBC screens, where she explained that "sometimes we have to make people angry" to get the right message across.