Groups Seek Delay of COP26 Climate Talks Unless More Can Attend

(Bloomberg) -- The U.K. should postpone international climate talks due to start late next month unless it can help delegates -- especially those from poorer countries -- gain access to vaccines and financial support so that they can attend, according to a network of organizations including Greenpeace. 

The United Nations talks known as COP26 -- set to be held in Glasgow from Oct. 31-Nov. 12 -- are seen as a key event in the fight to curb global warming. But confusion over who will be able to attend is threatening to undermine the conference. Critics say participants from countries hit worst by the pandemic and climate crisis don’t have fair access.

 “The COP presidency has failed to guarantee the safe and equitable participation of COP26 delegates,” Juan Pablo Osornio, senior political lead at Greenpeace International, said in a statement. Greenpeace is a member of the Climate Action Network, which represents more than 1,500 civil society groups, that is calling for a delay. 

“Ensuring that the voices of those most affected by climate change are heard is a priority,” COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma said in a statement. The U.K. will offer to fund hotel quarantine stays for delegates arriving from countries on its “red list” for Covid restrictions, he added. It will also provide vaccines to accredited delegates who wouldn’t otherwise be able to receive them.

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