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Civil society groups say COP26 should be postponed over COVID-19
Rising cases, unequal global vaccine rollout and stringent quarantine requirements for some 60 "red list" nations and territories hoping to attend the 12-day UN climate talks mean that "a safe, inclusive and just global climate conference is impossible," the Climate Action Network (CAN) said.
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Britain's President for COP26 Alok Sharma listens to a speech from the virtual US Leaders’ Summit on Climate in the Downing Street Briefing Room in central London on April 22, 2021.
(AFP/Justin Tallis)
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global network of more than 1,500 climate NGOs called on Britain to postpone the upcoming COP26 climate summit, saying in a statement on Tuesday that a lack of COVID-19 vaccines risked sidelining developing countries.
Rising cases, unequal global vaccine rollout and stringent quarantine requirements for some 60 "red list" nations and territories hoping to attend the 12-day UN climate talks mean that "a safe, inclusive and just global climate conference is impossible," the Climate Action Network (CAN) said.
"Our concern is that those countries most deeply affected by the climate crisis and suffering from the lack of support by rich nations in providing vaccines will be left out," said Tasneem Essop, CAN's Executive Director, quoted by AFP.
"There has always been an inherent power imbalance within the UN climate talks and this is now compounded by the health crisis."
Host government Britain said a recently released UN climate science report shows "why COP26 must go ahead this November to allow world leaders to come together and set out decisive commitments to tackle climate change".
In a response issued to AFP, COP President Alok Sharma said the conference -- originally slated for November last year -- has already been postponed once.
"We are working tirelessly with all our partners, including the Scottish Government and the UN, to ensure an inclusive, accessible and safe summit in Glasgow."
