UK plans to host physical Cop 26 conference

The UK still intends this year's UN climate summit Cop 26 to be an in-person event, the conference's president-designate Alok Sharma said today.

"We are planning for a physical summit," Sharma said in his speech six months ahead of the event, which is scheduled to take place in Glasgow over 1-12 November. The UK is joint-president of the conference alongside Italy.

"I have always championed the need for a physical Cop. The desire for one is what I have been hearing loud and clear from governments and communities around the world."

"Ensuring the safety of delegates and the local community will be paramount," Sharma said, adding that "every possible Covid security measure" — including testing and vaccines — is being explored as part of this.

Plans to this effect will be shared "in due course", he said.

The conference has already been pushed back by a year owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the continued spread of the virus around the globe has prompted questions as to whether there might be further delays, or the need to hold a virtual event.

Cop 26 is considered the most important UN climate summit since the 2015 meeting that produced the Paris agreement, because it marks the deadline for countries to update their nationally determined contributions for reducing emissions in line with the Paris treaty.

By Victoria Hatherick