COP26
UK aid budget cuts undermine trust ahead of Cop26 summit, experts warn
As developing countries prepare to negotiate a scaling up of climate finance at next year’s Cop26, the UK host faces criticism for reneging on its aid commitment
Joe Biden picks John Kerry as the US’ presidential envoy on climate change
Veteran diplomat John Kerry said the next US administration would treat the climate crisis as “the urgent national security threat it is”
China is set to meet UN climate deadline, experts say, but coal pathway is uncertain
To align near-term policy with its 2060 carbon neutrality goal, China needs to stop building new coal-fired power plants after 2020, researchers say
Boris Johnson has further to go on climate to show true leadership
The UK prime minister’s plan for a “green industrial revolution” sends a strong political signal, but more is needed for a credible decarbonisation strategy ahead of Cop26
Boris Johnson sets out 10-point plan to get UK on track for net zero
The UK premier majored on hydrogen, nuclear and carbon capture in a package aiming to set the bar for hosting Cop26 climate talks next year
First named Cop26 sponsors are big investors in offshore wind – and a gas plant
SSE, Scottish Power and National Grid have been named as sponsors of next year’s UN climate summit in Glasgow, with SSE defending a “transition” investment in gas power
UK looks to Cop26 climate summit to fix awkward relationship with Biden
US president-elect Biden sees Johnson as a “clone” of Trump and disagrees with him on Brexit, but both leaders want to make next year’s Glasgow climate talks a success
Asian net zero wave leaves Australia’s Scott Morrison isolated
While China, Japan and South Korea set net zero emissions targets and polls show strong support for Australia to follow, Morrison is standing by the coal industry
UK negotiator: Countries must resolve carbon market dispute to step up ambition
Diplomats will try to make progress on the last unresolved issues of the Paris Agreement in online events run by UN Climate Change next month
South Korea formally commits to cutting emissions to net zero by 2050
President Moon Jae-in’s announcement follows a three-day visit by Cop26 president-designate Alok Sharma to South Korea
A Biden victory could spur global climate action, but the US has much to prove
If elected US president, Biden must balance domestic and international pressures to set a 2030 emissions target on a tight deadline, with a view to inspiring others
UK, UN bill Paris Agreement anniversary as key moment for raising climate ambition
An online summit on 12 December offers a last chance for leaders to show off increased climate ambition by the end of 2020, the UN deadline
UK plans to boost climate ambition face delays amid rising Covid-19 cases
The UK host of critical Cop26 climate talks was tipped to set out its vision to world leaders during the UN general assembly, but the timeline has slipped
Xi Jinping: China will aim for carbon neutrality by 2060
China, the world’s biggest emitter, officially spoke of ending its contribution to global heating in a video message from President Xi to the UN
‘China is willing to contribute more’: Beijing signals carbon neutrality intent
After a virtual summit with the EU, China trailed plans to go carbon neutral by mid century, in a move welcomed by climate advocates
Vietnam brings cement sector into new climate submission to the UN
The southeast Asian nation has made slight improvements to its 2030 climate plan but still expects emissions to increase rapidly over the next decade
Countries promise green recovery at Japanese virtual summit, keep quiet on fossil bailouts
Ministers from China, EU and other major economies outlined plans to build back better after the coronavirus pandemic at a meeting convened by Japan
China among nations likely to miss 2020 deadline for climate plans – UN’s Espinosa
UN climate chief expects only 80 updated national climate plans this year, as preparations are delayed by coronavirus pandemic and US political uncertainty
Extra UN climate talks mooted for 2021 to help negotiators catch up
After losing a year to the coronavirus pandemic, UN Climate Change is considering an extra meeting in 2021 to resolve sticking points in the negotiations
Big oil need not apply: UK raises the bar for UN climate summit sponsorship
Fossil fuel money is not welcome to help run next year’s Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow, as UK government seeks sponsors with net zero emissions plans