Wednesday 12 February 2020

Nicola Sturgeon: ‘COP26 more important to future of planet than Paris’s COP21’

COP26 is more important to the future of the planet than the international event that spawned the Paris Agreement.

That's the suggestion from Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, who spoke at Green Alliance's 'Countdown to COP' event in London yesterday.

She said: "The need for much more urgent action has never been clearer than it is today and that is why in my view, COP26 isn't just the most significant climate change conference since the 2015 climate summit, it is actually more important than that when we consider the urgency of the challenge we face."

The Scottish leader promised the climate summit, which is scheduled to take place in Glasgow in November 2020, will not cause "squabbles" between Holyrood and Westminster and called for countries to work together rather than trade insults, stating it is "vital" for humankind and the environment that COP26 is a success.

Ms Sturgeon added: "I personally and my government are committed absolutely and unequivocally to working closely and constructively with the UK government and with other partners in preparing for the COP26."

She said a successful COP26 would see a global agreement reached on detailed plans and actions to at least meet the obligations of the Paris Agreement and ideally exceed them.

Last week the Scottish Budget announced a raft of new funding to accelerate progress towards net-zero, including £1.8 billion of investment in low carbon infrastructure.