COP26 Postponed
On April 1, 2020, the COP bureau of the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), with the UK and its Italian partners, decided to postpone the COP26, which was to take place in Glasgow. COP26 was to be hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy in November 2020.
The decision has also affected the Pre-COP talks and the ‘Youth for the Climate’ event.
The postponed came following the uncertainty of the COVID-19, which is a global problem. While climate change is a human issue that should not be overlooked, the priority at this point goes to the fight against Coronavirus that has cost many lives while affecting the normal functioning of the social, politic, and economic systems.
What COP26 leaders said
From the official UNFCCC website, below are some quotes from the key leaders in COP26
COP26 President-Designate and Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Alok Sharma said:
“The world is currently facing an unprecedented global challenge and countries are rightly focusing their efforts on saving lives and fighting COVID-19. That is why we have decided to reschedule COP26.”
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa said:
“COVID-19 is the most urgent threat facing humanity today, but we cannot forget that climate change is the biggest threat facing humanity over the long term.”
Italian Minister for the Environment, Land and Sea Protection, Sergio Costa, said:
“Whilst we have decided to postpone COP26, including the Pre-COP and ‘Youth for the Climate’ event, we remain fully committed to meeting the challenge of climate change.”
COP25 President, Minister Carolina Schmidt, said:
“The decision of the Bureau on the postponement of COP26 is unfortunately a needed measure to protect all delegates and observers.”
Other important conferences postponed
UNFCCC Africa Climate Week Postponed the second time- Corona Virus
Sustainable Energy for All Forum in Kigali Postponed
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