Ambitious targets

The 26th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties or COP26 is scheduled for later this year (October 31st to November 12th) in Glasgow, Scotland.

COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma, who is visiting the region to build support ahead of the conference, hopes more developed countries will follow the example shown by small island states (SIDS) and also set ambitious targets in the fight against climate change.

He said that he is delighted with Government’s ambition towards fighting climate change and becoming fossil-fuel free by 2030. Sharma added that such action is vital, as it challenges other countries (particularly biggest emitters) to raise own ambitions and keep goals of Paris Agreement within reach.

Noting that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are showing real leadership in fighting climate change, despite doing the least to cause it he added that COP26 would be beneficial to countries of the region:

“During this visit, I of course have also been around the region and I’ve heard from people who are affected directly about the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and the fact that they are getting more ferocious in terms of their impact…and that’s why I am absolutely determined that COP26 will deliver for the countries most vulnerable to climate change.”

The COP26 President-Designate was participating in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley this morning.