COP26 President to visit Slovenia and Italy ahead of G20 meeting
COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma will meet with his counterparts to press for climate action before the G20 Climate and Energy Ministers meeting
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COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma will attend an informal EU Council meeting in Ljubljana
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He then will attend G20 Climate and Energy Ministerial in Naples this week
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Key moment for major emitters to make commitments to protect countries vulnerable to climate change
The COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma, will visit Slovenia and Italy this week to meet with his counterparts from European and G20 countries.
There is an informal EU Environment Council meeting later today (Tuesday 20 July) in Ljubljana, which is followed by the G20 Climate and Energy Ministers meeting being held in Naples on 23 July.
Today’s meeting is being hosted by Slovenia in their role as presidency of the Council of the EU. They will also lead the negotiations for the EU at COP26 later this year in Glasgow.
As well as attending the Council, Mr Sharma will host a series of bilateral meetings with EU counterparts to discuss adaptation, progress on finance for developing countries, and raising ambition ahead of COP26.
Ahead of the G20 meeting, at which the UK will also be represented by Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the UK has been pushing for all major emitters to play their part in keeping the 1.5 degree temperature limit within reach by committing to net zero emissions by mid-century and to increased 2030 targets.
Building on the G7 Summit, the UK also wants to see developed countries reaffirm the commitment to mobilise $100bn per year in climate finance for developing countries, as well as commit to scaling up adaptation support for countries most vulnerable to climate change.
Speaking ahead of his visits Mr Sharma said:
“COP26 is a key moment for the world, and for all of us to step up, and demonstrate that we are on a course to keeping 1.5 alive
“We have recently seen all G7 countries commit to deep emission reduction targets in the 2020s and to putting an end to funding coal power overseas from the end of this year.
“This week we need the G20 to respond to the moral authority and leadership of those most vulnerable on the frontline of the effects of climate change, by taking ambitious action now to keep the 1.5 target alive.
“With just over three months to go until we come together in Glasgow there is still much to do, and collaboration will be crucial. I look forward to continuing working with Slovenia, the EU and G20, towards a successful COP26 that delivers for those most vulnerable to climate change, and for our planet.”