What did the G20 summit achieve? Leaders of at least four countries skipped the summit. Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro was given the cold shoulder. While the rest of the leaders failed to reach an agreement on key issues. Palki Sharma brings you a recap.

Gravitas: Bolsonaro bumped off the family photo at G20?

Cyprus is a country blessed with sunlight throughout the year, yet it has been struggling to generate solar power, why is that? Our next report has some answers.

Cyprus struggles to generate solar power, unable to provide electricity after sunset

Wilston Vilchez, a third-generation coffee farmer in the mountains of Nicaragua, has witnessed drastic climatic changes on his 25-acre coffee and cacao farm for years, but when two hurricanes hit within 15 days last year, many other farmers he knows realized they needed to be part of the solution.

“They might be small farmers, but they believe in doing something different that will benefit them all,” he said.

Vilchez, who also manages an agricultural cooperative of about 300 farmers, said that the effects of climate change — rising temperatures, less predictable rainfall, wild swings from drought to flooding, new pests and more — were making it more and more difficult to earn a living from coffee, an experience felt by farmers around the world.

Various organizations and companies are seeking solutions to these challenges. They are helping farmers to improve production and efficiency, developing new strains of beans or farming wild species, and even growing coffee in labs. Producing coffee makes a significant environmental impact — estimates vary, but about 39 gallons of water are needed for one cup, according to UNESCO’s Institute for Water Education.

However, people interviewed at these organizations and companies, and experts in the field, said that reducing greenhouse gas emissions would be the best way to ensure the future of coffee as we know it (or something close to what we know) and of the planet.

According to a 2014 study, under modest declines of greenhouse gas emissions, about 50% of the land with conditions suitable for growing the two main species of coffee, arabica and robusta, which account for 99% of commercial supply, “could disappear by 2050.” Brazil and Vietnam, major producing countries, would be especially hard hit.

To the billions of people around the world who rely on drinking coffee (to put it mildly), that forebodes many difficult mornings and possibly rising prices. To the 100 million or so coffee farmers, to say nothing of the tens of millions more who work in transporting, packaging, distributing, selling and brewing coffee, the effects of climate change are making an already precarious existence even more so.

On his farm and across the co-op, Vilchez works with Blue Harvest, a program from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), started in 2014, which helps Central American coffee farmers restore and protect their water resources, for their benefit and for others who share the watershed downstream.

The program, which built on the organization’s earlier work, began as Central America was in the grips of a coffee leaf rust epidemic about a decade ago. Coffee leaf rust is a fungus that decimates coffee plants, often leaving farmers with few choices: cut down their crop and replant, plant something else, or give up the farm. Some have linked the spread of the fungus to climate change because it thrives in warmer conditions with more variable precipitation.

Since climate change is making droughts both more frequent and intense, said Kristin Rosenow, an expert in agricultural development for CRS, using water more efficiently and preventing pollution of existing sources are crucially important.

Vilchez has worked with CRS to restore his soil by planting cover crops. He has also helped other farmers to retain more soil moisture by planting shade trees, a traditional practice, and to employ other low-tech solutions, he said, speaking in Spanish translated by a CRS staff member.

Rosenow said that these sorts of techniques, among others, like more targeted fertilizer use, had led to an increase of 24% in their yields for the farmers, and a 28% rise in income, some of which can be attributed to these techniques and some to access to new markets.

Another tactic is planting different varieties that can better withstand both the leaf rust and other climate stressors, according to Hanna Neuschwander, the director of strategy and communications at World Coffee Research.

Next year, World Coffee Research will start a global breeding network, which aims to introduce modern breeding techniques and new varieties in coffee-producing countries to help farmers dealing with new climatic conditions. Based on the information that is obtained, the organization will evaluate how new species perform in different environments around the world, a sort of real-time lab trial.

But there are challenges. When a farmer plants a coffee tree, it takes several years for it to make money. And because coffee trees can live for several decades, a tree that suits today’s climate may be completely unsuited to future conditions, said Vern Long, the chief executive of World Coffee Research.

One possible upside, Long added: Coffee farmers would not have to expand or move to higher altitudes that may be more suitable in the future but could be heavily forested and biodiverse, leading to loss of carbon sequestration potential and animal and plant habitat.

At the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London, Aaron Davis, a coffee scientist who also specializes in climate change, is working on a different solution to ensure sustainability: introducing farmers to wild coffee species, which have not been widely cultivated previously, or at all, but are more tolerant of high temperatures and drought.

“Being a botanist and having done work in climatology, I can’t emphasize enough that traditionally used species will not be enough,” he said. “If you look at climate change models and projections, we need robust resilience and step change, not incremental change.”

Maricel Saenz is also interested in step change, but in a different direction. She is the founder and chief executive of Compound Foods, a “beanless” coffee company that aims to produce coffee in a laboratory environment.

Saenz, 29, is from Costa Rica, so naturally coffee and its future are important to her, she said. “It’s a really complex situation, because coffee is one of the main victims and contributors to climate change,” she said, citing the energy and water required to grow, transport and brew a cup of coffee.

Compound Foods does not grow any coffee — at least, not in the traditional sense. Instead, the company replicates the microbes from actual coffee cherries, which give a cup of coffee its flavor and aroma, Saenz said. The microbes are grown on their plant-based formula in bioreactors, a fermentation process similar to what happens naturally at a coffee farm.

At the moment, this makes a cold-brew style extract that mimics the flavor, color and smell of real coffee, but with much less energy and water. They plan to distribute this first product through coffee shops next year and, later, to create coffee grounds that can be brewed at home.

When asked about how her company might affect smallholder farmers who grow most of the world’s coffee and often struggle to make a living, Saenz said that she was hoping to compete with the big industrial farmers and to find ways to support the farmers she grew up knowing.

In both the long and short term, that may mean addressing the root cause itself: greenhouse gas emissions.

As Vincent Amodoi, a project coordinator in Uganda for Farm Africa, a British charity that works with farmers, pastoralists and forest communities in East Africa, including coffee growers, said, “For me, climate change should be one of the major focuses for all governments in the world, and that is just not happening.”

Wilston Vilchez, a third-generation coffee farmer in the mountains of Nicaragua, has witnessed drastic climatic changes on his 25-acre coffee and cacao farm for years, but when two hurricanes hit within 15 days last year, many other farmers he knows realized they needed to be part of the solution.

Wilston Vilchez, a third-generation coffee farmer in the mountains of Nicaragua, has witnessed drastic climatic changes on his 25-acre coffee and cacao farm for years, but when two hurricanes hit within 15 days last year, many other farmers he knows realized they needed to be part of the solution. “They might be small farmers, but they believe in doing something different that will benefit them all,” he said. Vilchez, who also manages an agricultural cooperative of about 300 farmers, said that the effects of climate change — rising temperatures, less predictable rainfall, wild swings from drought to flooding, new pests and more — were making it more and more difficult to earn a living from coffee, an experience felt by farmers around the world. Various organizations and companies are seeking solutions to these challenges. They are helping farmers to improve production and efficiency, developing new strains of beans or farming wild species, and even growing coffee in labs. Producing coffee makes a significant environmental impact — estimates vary, but about 39 gallons of water are needed for one cup, according to UNESCO’s Institute for Water Education. However, people interviewed at these organizations and companies, and experts in the field, said that reducing greenhouse gas emissions would be the best way to ensure the future of coffee as we know it (or something close to what we know) and of the planet. According to a 2014 study, under modest declines of greenhouse gas emissions, about 50% of the land with conditions suitable for growing the two main species of coffee, arabica and robusta, which account for 99% of commercial supply, “could disappear by 2050.” Brazil and Vietnam, major producing countries, would be especially hard hit. To the billions of people around the world who rely on drinking coffee (to put it mildly), that forebodes many difficult mornings and possibly rising prices. To the 100 million or so coffee farmers, to say nothing of the tens of millions more who work in transporting, packaging, distributing, selling and brewing coffee, the effects of climate change are making an already precarious existence even more so. On his farm and across the co-op, Vilchez works with Blue Harvest, a program from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), started in 2014, which helps Central American coffee farmers restore and protect their water resources, for their benefit and for others who share the watershed downstream. The program, which built on the organization’s earlier work, began as Central America was in the grips of a coffee leaf rust epidemic about a decade ago. Coffee leaf rust is a fungus that decimates coffee plants, often leaving farmers with few choices: cut down their crop and replant, plant something else, or give up the farm. Some have linked the spread of the fungus to climate change because it thrives in warmer conditions with more variable precipitation. Since climate change is making droughts both more frequent and intense, said Kristin Rosenow, an expert in agricultural development for CRS, using water more efficiently and preventing pollution of existing sources are crucially important. Vilchez has worked with CRS to restore his soil by planting cover crops. He has also helped other farmers to retain more soil moisture by planting shade trees, a traditional practice, and to employ other low-tech solutions, he said, speaking in Spanish translated by a CRS staff member. Rosenow said that these sorts of techniques, among others, like more targeted fertilizer use, had led to an increase of 24% in their yields for the farmers, and a 28% rise in income, some of which can be attributed to these techniques and some to access to new markets. Another tactic is planting different varieties that can better withstand both the leaf rust and other climate stressors, according to Hanna Neuschwander, the director of strategy and communications at World Coffee Research. Next year, World Coffee Research will start a global breeding network, which aims to introduce modern breeding techniques and new varieties in coffee-producing countries to help farmers dealing with new climatic conditions. Based on the information that is obtained, the organization will evaluate how new species perform in different environments around the world, a sort of real-time lab trial. But there are challenges. When a farmer plants a coffee tree, it takes several years for it to make money. And because coffee trees can live for several decades, a tree that suits today’s climate may be completely unsuited to future conditions, said Vern Long, the chief executive of World Coffee Research. One possible upside, Long added: Coffee farmers would not have to expand or move to higher altitudes that may be more suitable in the future but could be heavily forested and biodiverse, leading to loss of carbon sequestration potential and animal and plant habitat. At the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London, Aaron Davis, a coffee scientist who also specializes in climate change, is working on a different solution to ensure sustainability: introducing farmers to wild coffee species, which have not been widely cultivated previously, or at all, but are more tolerant of high temperatures and drought. “Being a botanist and having done work in climatology, I can’t emphasize enough that traditionally used species will not be enough,” he said. “If you look at climate change models and projections, we need robust resilience and step change, not incremental change.” Maricel Saenz is also interested in step change, but in a different direction. She is the founder and chief executive of Compound Foods, a “beanless” coffee company that aims to produce coffee in a laboratory environment. Saenz, 29, is from Costa Rica, so naturally coffee and its future are important to her, she said. “It’s a really complex situation, because coffee is one of the main victims and contributors to climate change,” she said, citing the energy and water required to grow, transport and brew a cup of coffee. Compound Foods does not grow any coffee — at least, not in the traditional sense. Instead, the company replicates the microbes from actual coffee cherries, which give a cup of coffee its flavor and aroma, Saenz said. The microbes are grown on their plant-based formula in bioreactors, a fermentation process similar to what happens naturally at a coffee farm. At the moment, this makes a cold-brew style extract that mimics the flavor, color and smell of real coffee, but with much less energy and water. They plan to distribute this first product through coffee shops next year and, later, to create coffee grounds that can be brewed at home. When asked about how her company might affect smallholder farmers who grow most of the world’s coffee and often struggle to make a living, Saenz said that she was hoping to compete with the big industrial farmers and to find ways to support the farmers she grew up knowing. In both the long and short term, that may mean addressing the root cause itself: greenhouse gas emissions. As Vincent Amodoi, a project coordinator in Uganda for Farm Africa, a British charity that works with farmers, pastoralists and forest communities in East Africa, including coffee growers, said, “For me, climate change should be one of the major focuses for all governments in the world, and that is just not happening.”

Coffee and climate have a complicated relationship

'Need strategies that match the 1.5-degree target,' French President Emmanuel Macron Lays out France's climate plans and edges at the COP26 summit.

French President Emmanuel Macron lays out France's climate plans and edges | COP26

'The stability we all depend upon is breaking,' British naturalist David Attenborough made an emotional appeal to the leaders at the COP26 summit in Glasgow over the fragility of the planet and humanity’s dependence on the natural world.

'The stability we all depend upon is breaking,' says British naturalist David Attenborough | COP26

The COP26 climate summit is underway in Glasglow. Nearly 120 countries are seeking consensus on rules to cut emissions, mechanisms to adapt to climate events, and compensation for nations for loss, damage.

Global leaders to reiterate pledge on climate in Glasglow

The 3.5 trillion tonnes of Greenland's ice sheet that has melted over the past decade has raised global sea levels by one centimetre and is heightening worldwide flood risks, new research showed on Monday.

The ice sheet atop the world's largest island contains enough frozen water to lift oceans some six metres (20 feet) globally, and extreme melting events there have been increasing in frequency for at least 40 years.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/some-forests-are-now-emitting-more-carbon-dioxide-than-oxygen-here-is-why-424690">&nbsp;Some forests are now emitting more carbon dioxide than Oxygen. Here is why</a>

Although it is one of the most studied places on Earth by climatologists, Monday's research is the first to use satellite data to detect Greenland ice sheet runoff.&nbsp;

Writing in the journal Nature Communications, researchers said that Greenland's meltwater runoff had risen by 21 percent over the past four decades.&nbsp;

More strikingly, the data provided by the European Space Agency showed that the ice sheet had lost 3.5 trillion tonnes of ice since 2011, producing enough water to raise oceans globally and put coastal communities at higher risk of flood events.

One-third of the ice lost in the past decade came in just two hot summers -- 2012 and 2019 -- the research showed.&nbsp;

The images showed significant annual variation in ice melt and, combined with temperature data, showed that heatwaves were increasingly a major cause of ice loss above and beyond global temperature rises.

In 2012, for example, when changes in atmospheric patterns caused unusually warm air to hover over the ice sheet for weeks, 527 billion tonnes of ice was lost.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-country-could-be-underwater-by-the-end-of-the-century-425829">This country could be underwater by the end of the century</a>

"As we've seen with other parts of the world, Greenland is also vulnerable to an increase in extreme weather events," said Thomas Slater, from the University of Leeds Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling and lead author.&nbsp;

"As our climate warms, it's reasonable to expect that the instances of extreme melting in Greenland will happen more often."

Predicting how much Greenland's melt will contribute to rising sea levels is notoriously tricky for scientists who also need to factor in the potential rise caused by other land-based glacier melt.&nbsp;

And, as oceans warm, water expands, and also contributes to higher seas.

Monday's authors said that the satellite data had allowed them to quickly and accurately estimate how much ice Greenland had lost in a given year, and convert that into sea-level rise equivalent.

"Model estimates suggest that the Greenland ice sheet will contribute between 3-23 cm to global sea-level rise by 2100," said co-author Amber Leeson, senior lecturer in Environmental Data Science at Britain's Lancaster University.

"These new spaceborne estimates of runoff will help us to understand complex ice melt processes better... and just enable us to refine our estimates of future sea-level rise."

The 3.5 trillion tonnes of Greenland's ice sheet that has melted over the past decade has raised global sea levels by one centimetre and is heightening worldwide flood risks, new research showed on Monday.

The 3.5 trillion tonnes of Greenland's ice sheet that has melted over the past decade has raised global sea levels by one centimetre and is heightening worldwide flood risks, new research showed on Monday. The ice sheet atop the world's largest island contains enough frozen water to lift oceans some six metres (20 feet) globally, and extreme melting events there have been increasing in frequency for at least 40 years. Also Read | Some forests are now emitting more carbon dioxide than Oxygen. Here is why Although it is one of the most studied places on Earth by climatologists, Monday's research is the first to use satellite data to detect Greenland ice sheet runoff. Writing in the journal Nature Communications, researchers said that Greenland's meltwater runoff had risen by 21 percent over the past four decades. More strikingly, the data provided by the European Space Agency showed that the ice sheet had lost 3.5 trillion tonnes of ice since 2011, producing enough water to raise oceans globally and put coastal communities at higher risk of flood events. One-third of the ice lost in the past decade came in just two hot summers -- 2012 and 2019 -- the research showed. The images showed significant annual variation in ice melt and, combined with temperature data, showed that heatwaves were increasingly a major cause of ice loss above and beyond global temperature rises. In 2012, for example, when changes in atmospheric patterns caused unusually warm air to hover over the ice sheet for weeks, 527 billion tonnes of ice was lost. Also Read | This country could be underwater by the end of the century "As we've seen with other parts of the world, Greenland is also vulnerable to an increase in extreme weather events," said Thomas Slater, from the University of Leeds Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling and lead author. "As our climate warms, it's reasonable to expect that the instances of extreme melting in Greenland will happen more often." Predicting how much Greenland's melt will contribute to rising sea levels is notoriously tricky for scientists who also need to factor in the potential rise caused by other land-based glacier melt. And, as oceans warm, water expands, and also contributes to higher seas. Monday's authors said that the satellite data had allowed them to quickly and accurately estimate how much ice Greenland had lost in a given year, and convert that into sea-level rise equivalent. "Model estimates suggest that the Greenland ice sheet will contribute between 3-23 cm to global sea-level rise by 2100," said co-author Amber Leeson, senior lecturer in Environmental Data Science at Britain's Lancaster University. "These new spaceborne estimates of runoff will help us to understand complex ice melt processes better... and just enable us to refine our estimates of future sea-level rise."

Extreme Greenland ice melt raised global flood risk: Study

Coming up with a solution for climate change seems to have become inevitable as world leaders meet in Glasgow for the UN's 'COP26' climate summit. If there is little action and more speeches, several Indian coastal cities will face the risk of getting submerged underwater by 2.7 feet by the end of the century. NASA had predicted the calamity in a report some time back.

If COP26 fails, Indian cities face risk of submerging underwater

The G20 summit's last day has come to a close. But when are we going to see some action on the talks by world leaders at the G20 summit? Here is a report.

When will we see some action on the talks by world leaders at the G20 summit?

Global leaders must step up the fight against climate change, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Friday, saying world civilisation could collapse as swiftly as the ancient Roman empire unless more is done.

Speaking just hours before leaders of the group of 20 major economies start a two-day meeting in Italy, Johnson said future generations risked hunger, conflict and mass migration if progress was not made to tackle climate change.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-president-xi-jinping-to-attend-g20-summit-online-424892">Chinese president Xi Jinping to attend G20 Summit online</a>

"There is absolutely no question that this is a reality we must face up to," he told reporters as he flew into Rome for the G20 summit, warning that living conditions could rapidly deteriorate without a collective change of course.

"You saw that with the decline and fall of the Roman Empire and I’m afraid to say it’s true today." 
It is the first time in two years that most leaders of the G20 have felt able to hold face-to-face discussions as the COVID-19 pandemic starts to recede in many countries.

The health crisis and economic recovery feature strongly on the agenda, but the most vital and difficult debate will centre on how far the leaders want to go in cutting greenhouse gases and in helping poorer nations confront global warming.

The G20 bloc, which includes Brazil, China, India, Germany and the United States, accounts for more than 80 per cent&nbsp;of the world's gross domestic product, 60&nbsp;per cent of its population and an estimated 80&nbsp;per cent of carbon emissions.

Watch |&nbsp;G20 summit: Justin Trudeau, other leaders arrive in Rome

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/g20-summit-justin-trudeau-other-leaders-arrive-in-rome-425209/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Many of the leaders in Rome, including US&nbsp;President Joe Biden, will fly immediately afterwards to Scotland for a United Nation's climate summit. Known as COP26, it is seen as vital to addressing the threat of rising temperatures and consequences like rising sea levels, more powerful storms, worse flooding in some regions and worse droughts in others.

"On the eve of COP26 in Glasgow, all roads to success go through Rome," UN&nbsp;Secretary General Antonio Guterres told reporters on Friday.

Missing Leaders

However, expectations of major progress have been dimmed by the decision of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin to stay at home, unlike the vast majority of their counterparts, and attend only via video link.

Biden's own hopes of showing that his country is now at the forefront of the fight against global warming took a knock after he failed to convince fellow Democrats this week to unify behind a $1.85 trillion economic and environmental spending package.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/humanitarian-crisis-in-focus-as-italy-hosts-g20-afghan-summit-420064">&nbsp;Humanitarian crisis in focus as Italy hosts G20 Afghan summit</a>

A draft of the final communique seen by Reuters said G20 leaders would pledge to take urgent steps to reach the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), without making legally binding commitments.

The first day of discussions, which are being held in a futuristic convention centre called `The Cloud`, will focus on the global economy and pandemic response.

Fears over rising energy prices and stretched supply chains will be addressed. Leaders were expected to endorse plans to vaccinate 70% of the world's population against COVID-19 by mid-2022 and create a task force to fight future pandemics.

"We hope that we can lay the groundwork for more countries to ensure a broader distribution of vaccines," German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz told reporters on Friday after a joint meeting between G20 health and finance ministers.

"This is a global crisis that demands global solutions."

There was also expected to be a lot of diplomacy on the sidelines, with numerous bilateral meetings planned, while the leaders of the United States, Britain, Germany and France were due to hold four-way talks on Iran.

Rome has been put on high security alert, with up to 6,000 police and around 500 soldiers deployed to maintain order.

Two protest rallies have been authorised during the day, but demonstrators will be kept far from the summit centre, located in a suburb built by the 20th Century fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

Global leaders must step up the fight against climate change, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Friday, saying world civilisation could collapse as swiftly as the ancient Roman empire unless more is done.

Global leaders must step up the fight against climate change, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Friday, saying world civilisation could collapse as swiftly as the ancient Roman empire unless more is done. Speaking just hours before leaders of the group of 20 major economies start a two-day meeting in Italy, Johnson said future generations risked hunger, conflict and mass migration if progress was not made to tackle climate change. Also Read | Chinese president Xi Jinping to attend G20 Summit online "There is absolutely no question that this is a reality we must face up to," he told reporters as he flew into Rome for the G20 summit, warning that living conditions could rapidly deteriorate without a collective change of course. "You saw that with the decline and fall of the Roman Empire and I’m afraid to say it’s true today." It is the first time in two years that most leaders of the G20 have felt able to hold face-to-face discussions as the COVID-19 pandemic starts to recede in many countries. The health crisis and economic recovery feature strongly on the agenda, but the most vital and difficult debate will centre on how far the leaders want to go in cutting greenhouse gases and in helping poorer nations confront global warming. The G20 bloc, which includes Brazil, China, India, Germany and the United States, accounts for more than 80 per cent of the world's gross domestic product, 60 per cent of its population and an estimated 80 per cent of carbon emissions. Watch | G20 summit: Justin Trudeau, other leaders arrive in Rome Many of the leaders in Rome, including US President Joe Biden, will fly immediately afterwards to Scotland for a United Nation's climate summit. Known as COP26, it is seen as vital to addressing the threat of rising temperatures and consequences like rising sea levels, more powerful storms, worse flooding in some regions and worse droughts in others. "On the eve of COP26 in Glasgow, all roads to success go through Rome," UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told reporters on Friday. Missing Leaders However, expectations of major progress have been dimmed by the decision of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin to stay at home, unlike the vast majority of their counterparts, and attend only via video link. Biden's own hopes of showing that his country is now at the forefront of the fight against global warming took a knock after he failed to convince fellow Democrats this week to unify behind a $1.85 trillion economic and environmental spending package. Also Read | Humanitarian crisis in focus as Italy hosts G20 Afghan summit A draft of the final communique seen by Reuters said G20 leaders would pledge to take urgent steps to reach the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), without making legally binding commitments. The first day of discussions, which are being held in a futuristic convention centre called `The Cloud`, will focus on the global economy and pandemic response. Fears over rising energy prices and stretched supply chains will be addressed. Leaders were expected to endorse plans to vaccinate 70% of the world's population against COVID-19 by mid-2022 and create a task force to fight future pandemics. "We hope that we can lay the groundwork for more countries to ensure a broader distribution of vaccines," German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz told reporters on Friday after a joint meeting between G20 health and finance ministers. "This is a global crisis that demands global solutions." There was also expected to be a lot of diplomacy on the sidelines, with numerous bilateral meetings planned, while the leaders of the United States, Britain, Germany and France were due to hold four-way talks on Iran. Rome has been put on high security alert, with up to 6,000 police and around 500 soldiers deployed to maintain order. Two protest rallies have been authorised during the day, but demonstrators will be kept far from the summit centre, located in a suburb built by the 20th Century fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

UK's Johnson warns on climate, recalls fall of Roman Empire ahead of G20 summit

The US president, who has vowed to tackle a climate crisis he has described as an “existential threat” to civilization, will head crucial climate talks in Scotland. Biden is facing criticism from climate activists who claim Biden’s actions have yet to match his words.

COP26 Summit: What happened to Joe Biden's promises?

Climate change and the relaunch of the global economy will top the G20 agenda as leaders of the world's most advanced nations meet Saturday, the first in-person gathering since the pandemic.

Looming over the two-day talks in Rome is pressure to make headway on tackling global warming, ahead of the key COP26 summit kicking off in Glasgow Monday.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-g20-wants-70-of-world-vaccinated-by-mid-2022-sets-up-task-force-for-pandemic-fight-425097">COVID-19: G20 wants 70% of world vaccinated by mid-2022, sets up task force for pandemic fight</a>

The stakes are high, with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warning G20 leaders Friday to show "more ambition and more action" and overcome mistrust in order to advance climate goals.

"We are still on time to put things on track, and I think the G20 meeting is the opportunity to do that," Guterres said.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi met leaders as they arrived in the futuristic convention centre known as the "Nuvola" (cloud) in EUR, a southern Rome district built by Benito Mussolini to glorify his fascist regime.

US President Joe Biden flew in on Friday, hoping to turn a page from the tumultuous Trump years and show that American leadership on the world stage is restored.&nbsp;

Yet the Democrat faces a credibility test as his own signature climate policy -- part of a sweeping economic package -- is held up amid infighting within his party in Congress.

He met Friday with Pope Francis and then French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, where he admitted Washington had been "clumsy" in handling of a submarine deal with Australia and Britain that left Paris out in the cold.

Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping are absent from Rome, attending only by video link, but the others are taking advantage of the first in-person G20 for more than two years to hold a flurry of bilaterals.

Watch |&nbsp;G20 summit: Justin Trudeau, other leaders arrive in Rome

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/g20-summit-justin-trudeau-other-leaders-arrive-in-rome-425209/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Biden will meet Macron, Germany's Angela Merkel and Britain's Boris Johnson later Saturday for talks on Iran, after Tehran said it would resume discussions with world powers next month on reviving the 2015 nuclear accord.

Security is tight in Rome following violent protests earlier this month over the extension of Italy's coronavirus pass to workplaces, and a Fridays for Future climate march is expected in the city later in the day.

Draghi has called for a "G20 commitment on the need to limit the rise in temperatures to 1.5 degrees" above pre-industrial levels, the most ambitious target outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change.

Johnson -- the host of the UN climate summit next week -- said neither the G20 nor the COP26 meetings could stop global warming, and "the most we can hope to do is slow the increase".

Humanity, Johnson told reporters onboard his flight to Rome, can regress "at extraordinary speed".

"You saw that with the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, and I'm afraid to say that it's true today unless we get this right in tackling climate change," he said.

Complicating the task for the G20 will be disparities between top world powers.

China, the world's biggest polluter and responsible for more than a quarter of all carbon emissions, has been accused of sidestepping calls to stop building new coal-fired power plants.

A new plan submitted by Beijing to the UN ahead of COP26 fell short of environmentalists' expectations, with a target date of 2060 to reach carbon neutrality.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exclusive-indias-g20-sherpa-piyush-goyal-speaks-to-wion-on-countrys-agenda-at-summit-425179">Exclusive: India’s G20 sherpa Piyush Goyal speaks to WION on country's agenda at summit</a>

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has steadfastly demanded that his country be paid for protecting its share of the Amazon.

The world's biggest rainforest is seen as a vital resource to combat climate change for its ability to absorb fossil fuel emissions.

Taxing global players&nbsp;

A surer bet for concrete progress at the G20 involves taxation, as the group is expected to endorse the 15 percent minimum international tax rate on multinational companies after nearly 140 countries reached an OECD-brokered deal.

The move seeks to end tax optimisation, in which global corporations, including big US tech firms such as Apple and Google parent Alphabet -- shelter profits in countries with low-tax systems.

The OECD says a 15 percent global minimum corporate tax rate could add $150 billion annually to global tax revenues. &nbsp;

No new pledges are expected on Covid-19 vaccines at the summit.

G20 finance and health ministers meeting Friday said members would "take steps to help boost the supply of vaccines and essential medical products and inputs in developing countries and remove relevant supply and financing constraints."

Climate change and the relaunch of the global economy will top the G20 agenda as leaders of the world's most advanced nations meet Saturday, the first in-person gathering since the pandemic.

Climate change and the relaunch of the global economy will top the G20 agenda as leaders of the world's most advanced nations meet Saturday, the first in-person gathering since the pandemic. Looming over the two-day talks in Rome is pressure to make headway on tackling global warming, ahead of the key COP26 summit kicking off in Glasgow Monday. Also Read | COVID-19: G20 wants 70% of world vaccinated by mid-2022, sets up task force for pandemic fight The stakes are high, with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warning G20 leaders Friday to show "more ambition and more action" and overcome mistrust in order to advance climate goals. "We are still on time to put things on track, and I think the G20 meeting is the opportunity to do that," Guterres said. Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi met leaders as they arrived in the futuristic convention centre known as the "Nuvola" (cloud) in EUR, a southern Rome district built by Benito Mussolini to glorify his fascist regime. US President Joe Biden flew in on Friday, hoping to turn a page from the tumultuous Trump years and show that American leadership on the world stage is restored. Yet the Democrat faces a credibility test as his own signature climate policy -- part of a sweeping economic package -- is held up amid infighting within his party in Congress. He met Friday with Pope Francis and then French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, where he admitted Washington had been "clumsy" in handling of a submarine deal with Australia and Britain that left Paris out in the cold. Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping are absent from Rome, attending only by video link, but the others are taking advantage of the first in-person G20 for more than two years to hold a flurry of bilaterals. Watch | G20 summit: Justin Trudeau, other leaders arrive in Rome Biden will meet Macron, Germany's Angela Merkel and Britain's Boris Johnson later Saturday for talks on Iran, after Tehran said it would resume discussions with world powers next month on reviving the 2015 nuclear accord. Security is tight in Rome following violent protests earlier this month over the extension of Italy's coronavirus pass to workplaces, and a Fridays for Future climate march is expected in the city later in the day. Draghi has called for a "G20 commitment on the need to limit the rise in temperatures to 1.5 degrees" above pre-industrial levels, the most ambitious target outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change. Johnson -- the host of the UN climate summit next week -- said neither the G20 nor the COP26 meetings could stop global warming, and "the most we can hope to do is slow the increase". Humanity, Johnson told reporters onboard his flight to Rome, can regress "at extraordinary speed". "You saw that with the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, and I'm afraid to say that it's true today unless we get this right in tackling climate change," he said. Complicating the task for the G20 will be disparities between top world powers. China, the world's biggest polluter and responsible for more than a quarter of all carbon emissions, has been accused of sidestepping calls to stop building new coal-fired power plants. A new plan submitted by Beijing to the UN ahead of COP26 fell short of environmentalists' expectations, with a target date of 2060 to reach carbon neutrality. Also Read | Exclusive: India’s G20 sherpa Piyush Goyal speaks to WION on country's agenda at summit Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, meanwhile, has steadfastly demanded that his country be paid for protecting its share of the Amazon. The world's biggest rainforest is seen as a vital resource to combat climate change for its ability to absorb fossil fuel emissions. Taxing global players A surer bet for concrete progress at the G20 involves taxation, as the group is expected to endorse the 15 percent minimum international tax rate on multinational companies after nearly 140 countries reached an OECD-brokered deal. The move seeks to end tax optimisation, in which global corporations, including big US tech firms such as Apple and Google parent Alphabet -- shelter profits in countries with low-tax systems. The OECD says a 15 percent global minimum corporate tax rate could add $150 billion annually to global tax revenues. No new pledges are expected on Covid-19 vaccines at the summit. G20 finance and health ministers meeting Friday said members would "take steps to help boost the supply of vaccines and essential medical products and inputs in developing countries and remove relevant supply and financing constraints."

World leaders to talk climate, economy, vaccines at G20

China, by far the world’s largest polluter, on Thursday renewed its emissions-cutting plan with a promise to peak carbon pollution before 2030. Beijing’s new submission to the UN also confirmed its goal to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060 and slash its emissions intensity by more than 65%

China renews its emissions-cutting plan with a promise to peak carbon pollution before 2030

President Joe Biden announced Thursday a revised framework to try to pass a $1.85 trillion social safety net bill and a $1 trillion infrastructure measure, just hours before he leaves for a six-day European trip to meet with world leaders.

“After months of tough and thoughtful negotiations, I think we have — I know we have — a historic economic framework,” the president said. “This framework includes historic investments in our nation, and in our people.”

Biden delivered his remarks from the White House after returning from Capitol Hill, where he pleaded with Democratic lawmakers to put aside their differences and vote for both measures as a way of advancing their common agenda.

He did not explicitly say that the Democrats on Capitol Hill had all agreed to back his new framework, and several key lawmakers in his party issued statements that pointedly did not say they were promising to vote for it.

Biden was pushing to convince liberal members that a final compromise was close enough to allow them to support a separate $1 trillion infrastructure bill that has already passed the Senate, and House leaders were pressing Democrats to vote for the public works legislation later Thursday.

At the Capitol, Biden framed the success of his push as crucial, saying its fate would help determine that of his presidency and his party’s hold on Congress, and could restore the nation’s standing on the world stage.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/methane-lowest-hanging-fruit-eu-warns-countries-on-climate-change-424798">Also read |&nbsp;'Methane lowest hanging fruit': EU warns countries on climate change</a>

But liberals were still not satisfied with a plan that was clearly still unfinished even as Biden hailed its components.

“What I would say is you have the outline of a very significant piece of legislation — I want us to make it better,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the Budget Committee chair.

It remains unclear how quickly votes could take place, and there remains deep mistrust between progressives in the House and Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, two centrist holdouts who have forced deep cuts in the president’s proposals.

Biden expressed confidence Thursday that those differences had been ironed out after several months of intensive negotiations, as well as last-minute discussions that stretched into the night Wednesday.

“No one got everything they wanted, including me,” he said. “But that’s what compromise is. That’s consensus. And that’s what I ran on.”

In a statement, Sinema stopped substantially short of promising support, although she sounded an upbeat note on the talks.

“After months of productive, good-faith negotiations with President Biden and the White House, we have made significant progress on the proposed budget reconciliation package,” she said.

Manchin did not commit to supporting it either, saying only, “It’s in the hands of the House.”

But one person close to both senators said they had privately indicated that they support Biden’s framework, even as key details remained to be worked out.

The package is considerably more modest than the cradle-to-grave expansion of the safety net that the president initially envisioned. But the provisions for young children would offer a significant boost to middle-class families that have struggled for decades with economic uncertainty. They include universal preschool for more than 6 million 3- and 4-year-olds and subsidies for child care that would limit costs to no more than 7% of income for most families. Funding for both of those provisions would last for six years.

It includes about $555 billion for programs to move Americans to electric vehicles and entice utilities away from natural gas and coal, representing what would be the largest federal investment in combating climate change.

Democratic leaders were keen to hand the president a victory before he departed for Europe this week. The president planned to attend a climate summit on Sunday in Scotland, where he hoped to point to the deal as evidence of the United States’ commitment to tackling climate change.

“When the president gets off that plane, we want him to have a vote of confidence from this Congress,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats during the meeting, according to the person familiar with the session.

Democrats also hoped the agreement would be enough to persuade the House’s most liberal members that Congress was on the verge of passing a truly progressive package and that those liberals, in turn, would join more moderate and conservative Democrats to send the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill to Biden for his signature.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-shuts-mosque-in-allonnes-set-to-close-seven-mosques-over-radicalism-424820">Also read |&nbsp;France shuts mosque in Allonnes; set to close seven mosques over 'radicalism'</a>

Liberal members of the House and Senate had plenty to lament. The center piece of Biden’s climate policy, a measure to reward utilities for switching to renewable energy and to punish those that will not was stripped out at Manchin’s insistence. One of the biggest social policies in the original package, a $500 billion federal paid family and medical leave benefit, is also gone.

An anticipated expansion of Medicare to cover vision, dental and hearing care was down to just hearing. A proposed tax on the wealth of billionaires was also out, in favor of a surtax on multimillionaires that would hit income but not their mountains of wealth.

The promise of two years of free community college would go unfulfilled, and the expanded child tax credit, passed in March to give most families a $300-per-child monthly income support, would be extended only into 2023, not made permanent.

Among the provisions that survived were federal programs for home health care and community care for older Americans and people with disabilities. The framework also contains $150 billion for rental assistance, homebuying help, public housing repairs and other affordable housing programs.

President Joe Biden announced Thursday a revised framework to try to pass a $1.85 trillion social safety net bill and a $1 trillion infrastructure measure, just hours before he leaves for a six-day European trip to meet with world leaders.

President Joe Biden announced Thursday a revised framework to try to pass a $1.85 trillion social safety net bill and a $1 trillion infrastructure measure, just hours before he leaves for a six-day European trip to meet with world leaders. “After months of tough and thoughtful negotiations, I think we have — I know we have — a historic economic framework,” the president said. “This framework includes historic investments in our nation, and in our people.” Biden delivered his remarks from the White House after returning from Capitol Hill, where he pleaded with Democratic lawmakers to put aside their differences and vote for both measures as a way of advancing their common agenda. He did not explicitly say that the Democrats on Capitol Hill had all agreed to back his new framework, and several key lawmakers in his party issued statements that pointedly did not say they were promising to vote for it. Biden was pushing to convince liberal members that a final compromise was close enough to allow them to support a separate $1 trillion infrastructure bill that has already passed the Senate, and House leaders were pressing Democrats to vote for the public works legislation later Thursday. At the Capitol, Biden framed the success of his push as crucial, saying its fate would help determine that of his presidency and his party’s hold on Congress, and could restore the nation’s standing on the world stage. Also read | 'Methane lowest hanging fruit': EU warns countries on climate change But liberals were still not satisfied with a plan that was clearly still unfinished even as Biden hailed its components. “What I would say is you have the outline of a very significant piece of legislation — I want us to make it better,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the Budget Committee chair. It remains unclear how quickly votes could take place, and there remains deep mistrust between progressives in the House and Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, two centrist holdouts who have forced deep cuts in the president’s proposals. Biden expressed confidence Thursday that those differences had been ironed out after several months of intensive negotiations, as well as last-minute discussions that stretched into the night Wednesday. “No one got everything they wanted, including me,” he said. “But that’s what compromise is. That’s consensus. And that’s what I ran on.” In a statement, Sinema stopped substantially short of promising support, although she sounded an upbeat note on the talks. “After months of productive, good-faith negotiations with President Biden and the White House, we have made significant progress on the proposed budget reconciliation package,” she said. Manchin did not commit to supporting it either, saying only, “It’s in the hands of the House.” But one person close to both senators said they had privately indicated that they support Biden’s framework, even as key details remained to be worked out. The package is considerably more modest than the cradle-to-grave expansion of the safety net that the president initially envisioned. But the provisions for young children would offer a significant boost to middle-class families that have struggled for decades with economic uncertainty. They include universal preschool for more than 6 million 3- and 4-year-olds and subsidies for child care that would limit costs to no more than 7% of income for most families. Funding for both of those provisions would last for six years. It includes about $555 billion for programs to move Americans to electric vehicles and entice utilities away from natural gas and coal, representing what would be the largest federal investment in combating climate change. Democratic leaders were keen to hand the president a victory before he departed for Europe this week. The president planned to attend a climate summit on Sunday in Scotland, where he hoped to point to the deal as evidence of the United States’ commitment to tackling climate change. “When the president gets off that plane, we want him to have a vote of confidence from this Congress,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats during the meeting, according to the person familiar with the session. Democrats also hoped the agreement would be enough to persuade the House’s most liberal members that Congress was on the verge of passing a truly progressive package and that those liberals, in turn, would join more moderate and conservative Democrats to send the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill to Biden for his signature. Also read | France shuts mosque in Allonnes; set to close seven mosques over 'radicalism' Liberal members of the House and Senate had plenty to lament. The center piece of Biden’s climate policy, a measure to reward utilities for switching to renewable energy and to punish those that will not was stripped out at Manchin’s insistence. One of the biggest social policies in the original package, a $500 billion federal paid family and medical leave benefit, is also gone. An anticipated expansion of Medicare to cover vision, dental and hearing care was down to just hearing. A proposed tax on the wealth of billionaires was also out, in favor of a surtax on multimillionaires that would hit income but not their mountains of wealth. The promise of two years of free community college would go unfulfilled, and the expanded child tax credit, passed in March to give most families a $300-per-child monthly income support, would be extended only into 2023, not made permanent. Among the provisions that survived were federal programs for home health care and community care for older Americans and people with disabilities. The framework also contains $150 billion for rental assistance, homebuying help, public housing repairs and other affordable housing programs.

Biden announces $1.85 trillion framework for climate and safety net plan

United Nations Environment Programme's Emissions Gap report has revealed that country pledges will be unable to keep the global temperature under 1.5C this century. The report shows that new national climate pledges and various mitigation measures have set the world for a global temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century.

In order to keep global warming below 1.5C this century, which is the goal of the Paris Agreement, the world needs to halve annual greenhouse gas emissions in the coming eight years.&nbsp;

If this is implemented effectively, then the net-zero emissions pledges could limit down the warming to 2.2C, which is closer to the 2C goals of the Paris Agreement.&nbsp;

The report further highlights that the reduction of methane emissions from various sectors, including fossil fuel, waste and agriculture, could help close the emissions gap and reduce warming in a shorter span. Carbon markets can also help in reducing emissions.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-climate-deal-will-be-harder-than-paris-accord-says-alok-sharma-423292">Also read |&nbsp;Cop26 climate deal will be harder than Paris accord, says Alok Sharma</a>

UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres deemed climate change as "another thundering wake-up call." This comes after a study from the WMO showing that warming gases were at a new high last year.

The report highlights that the plans, when added together, cut greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 by around 7.5 per cent. This stands nowhere near to 1.5C temperature.

"The clock is ticking loudly," said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP.

Guterres has called the current scenario a "climate catastrophe". He believes the report highlights the failures of political leaders as he said that the emissions gap is the result of a leadership gap.

United Nations Environment Programme's Emissions Gap report has revealed that country pledges will be unable to keep the global temperature under 1.5C this century.

United Nations Environment Programme's Emissions Gap report has revealed that country pledges will be unable to keep the global temperature under 1.5C this century. The report shows that new national climate pledges and various mitigation measures have set the world for a global temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century. In order to keep global warming below 1.5C this century, which is the goal of the Paris Agreement, the world needs to halve annual greenhouse gas emissions in the coming eight years. If this is implemented effectively, then the net-zero emissions pledges could limit down the warming to 2.2C, which is closer to the 2C goals of the Paris Agreement. The report further highlights that the reduction of methane emissions from various sectors, including fossil fuel, waste and agriculture, could help close the emissions gap and reduce warming in a shorter span. Carbon markets can also help in reducing emissions. Also read | Cop26 climate deal will be harder than Paris accord, says Alok Sharma UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres deemed climate change as "another thundering wake-up call." This comes after a study from the WMO showing that warming gases were at a new high last year. The report highlights that the plans, when added together, cut greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 by around 7.5 per cent. This stands nowhere near to 1.5C temperature. "The clock is ticking loudly," said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP. Guterres has called the current scenario a "climate catastrophe". He believes the report highlights the failures of political leaders as he said that the emissions gap is the result of a leadership gap.

'Climate catastrophe': UN emissions gap report deemed as 'thundering wake-up call'

Adverse impact of climate change on nature is well-known but often when things are expressed in monetary terms, the enormity of the problem at hand is fully realised.

The latest report from the United Nations has said that climate-related hazards have cost developing and developed Asian economies billions of dollars.

The report said that such hazards cost China USD 238 billion. China was followed by India which had to bear the cost of USD 87 billion. Japan and South Korea were next with climate-related costs of USD 83 billion and USD 24 billion respectively.

The figures have been mentioned in UN's annual 'State of the Climate in Asia' report. The report also said that 2020 was the hottest year on record for Asia.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-2020-asia-suffered-hottest-year-on-record-un-424202">In 2020, Asia suffered hottest year on record: UN</a>

Climate change does not just mean increase in global temperature. It also has effects on other natural phenomena like cyclones. Scientists say that climate change results in formation of higher intensity cyclones which in turn cause greater devastation.

Many weather and climate-related displacements in Asia are prolonged, with people unable to return home or integrate locally, the report said.

In 2020 floods and storms affected approximately 50 million people in Asia, resulting in more than 5,000 fatalities.

Asia's warmest year on record saw the mean temperature 1.39 degrees Celsius above the 1981–2010 average. 
The 38.0 C registered at Verkhoyansk in Russia is provisionally the highest known temperature anywhere north of the Arctic Circle.

Shrinking glaciers

There are approximately 100,000 square kilometres of glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau and in the Himalayas -- the largest volumes of ice outside the polar regions and the source of 10 major Asian rivers.

"Glacier retreat is accelerating and it is projected that glacier mass will decrease by 20 percent to 40 percent by 2050, affecting the lives and livelihoods of about 750 million people in the region," the report said.

"This has major ramifications for global sea level, regional water cycles and local hazards such as landslides and avalanches."

A quarter of Asia's mangroves are in Bangladesh. However, the tropical storm-exposed country's mangroves decreased by 19 percent from 1992 to 2019, the report said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Adverse impact of climate change on nature is well-known but often when things are expressed in monetary terms, the enormity of the problem at hand is fully realised.

Adverse impact of climate change on nature is well-known but often when things are expressed in monetary terms, the enormity of the problem at hand is fully realised. The latest report from the United Nations has said that climate-related hazards have cost developing and developed Asian economies billions of dollars. The report said that such hazards cost China USD 238 billion. China was followed by India which had to bear the cost of USD 87 billion. Japan and South Korea were next with climate-related costs of USD 83 billion and USD 24 billion respectively. The figures have been mentioned in UN's annual 'State of the Climate in Asia' report. The report also said that 2020 was the hottest year on record for Asia. Also Read | In 2020, Asia suffered hottest year on record: UN Climate change does not just mean increase in global temperature. It also has effects on other natural phenomena like cyclones. Scientists say that climate change results in formation of higher intensity cyclones which in turn cause greater devastation. Many weather and climate-related displacements in Asia are prolonged, with people unable to return home or integrate locally, the report said. In 2020 floods and storms affected approximately 50 million people in Asia, resulting in more than 5,000 fatalities. Asia's warmest year on record saw the mean temperature 1.39 degrees Celsius above the 1981–2010 average. The 38.0 C registered at Verkhoyansk in Russia is provisionally the highest known temperature anywhere north of the Arctic Circle. Shrinking glaciers There are approximately 100,000 square kilometres of glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau and in the Himalayas -- the largest volumes of ice outside the polar regions and the source of 10 major Asian rivers. "Glacier retreat is accelerating and it is projected that glacier mass will decrease by 20 percent to 40 percent by 2050, affecting the lives and livelihoods of about 750 million people in the region," the report said. "This has major ramifications for global sea level, regional water cycles and local hazards such as landslides and avalanches." A quarter of Asia's mangroves are in Bangladesh. However, the tropical storm-exposed country's mangroves decreased by 19 percent from 1992 to 2019, the report said. (With inputs from agencies)

Climate change-related hazards have cost India and China billions, says UN

The Dead sea is slowly but irrevocably dying, once a hotspot for tourists it has now lost a third of its surface area since 1960. It seems the dead sea is slowly perishing.

The Dead sea is slowly perishing, both natural and human activity responsible

Brazil plays an important role in environmental policies as it is blessed with natural resources. Most importantly, 70% of the world's largest rainforest the Amazon is located in Brazil.

Brazil's bid to regain global trust, amends climate goals

Another prominent figure, UK's Queen Elizabeth has confirmed that she will not be attending the COP26 climate summit, here's why!

UK's Queen Elizabeth to skip COP26 summit following advice to rest

Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere reached new record levels last year, the United Nations said Monday in a stark warning ahead of the COP26 summit about worsening global warming.

The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin from the UN's World Meteorological Organization said the annual rate of increase last year was above the yearly average between 2011 and 2020 and the trend continued in 2021.

The WMO said the economic slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a temporary decline in new emissions, but had no discernible impact on the atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases and their growth rates.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-affects-maasai-mara-reserve-in-kenya-423779">Climate change affects Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya</a>

The organisation said that as long as emissions continue, global temperatures will continue to rise.

And given the long life of carbon dioxide (CO2), the temperature level already observed will persist for several decades even if emissions are rapidly reduced to net zero.

COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, is being held in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12.

"The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin contains a stark, scientific message for climate change negotiators at COP26," said WMO chief Petteri Taalas.

"At the current rate of increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, we will see a temperature increase by the end of this century far in excess of the Paris Agreement targets of 1.5 to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

"We are way off track."

CO2 record&nbsp;

The three major greenhouses gases are CO2, methane and nitrous oxide. CO2 is the most important, accounting for around 66 percent of the warming effect on the climate.

CO2 concentrations reached 413.2 parts per million in 2020, up 2.5 ppm, and is at 149 percent of the 1750 pre-industrial level, the WMO said.

The report said that roughly half of the CO2 emitted by human activity remains in the atmosphere, with the other half ending up in the oceans and the land.

"The last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of CO2 was 3-5 million years ago, when the temperature was 2-3C warmer and sea level was 10-20 metres higher than now. But there weren't 7.8 billion people then," said Taalas.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/key-to-bidens-climate-agenda-likely-to-be-cut-because-of-manchin-opposition-421381">Key to Biden’s climate agenda likely to be cut because of Manchin opposition</a>

Methane averages reached a new high of 1,889 parts per billion in 2020, up 11ppb on the year before, and is at 262 percent of the pre-industrial benchmark.

Around 40 percent of methane is emitted from natural sources such as wetlands, while 60 percent comes from human activity, including rice agriculture and landfills.

Nitrous oxide averages reached 333.2 ppb, up 1.2 ppb, at 123 percent of 1750 levels.

&nbsp;'No time to lose'&nbsp;

The WMO said that with continued rising greenhouse gas emissions, alongside rising temperatures, the planet could also expect more weather extremes.&nbsp;

That includes intense heat and rainfall, ice melt, sea-level rise and ocean acidification -- all of which will have far-reaching socio-economic impacts.

"We need to transform our commitment into action that will have an impact on the gases that drive climate change," said Taalas.

"We need to revisit our industrial, energy and transport systems and whole way of life. The needed changes are economically affordable and technically possible. There is no time to lose."&nbsp;

Euan Nisbet, from the University of London's Greenhouse Gas Group, compared greenhouse gas measurements to "skidding into a car crash".

"The disaster gets closer and closer but you can't stop it. You can clearly see the crash ahead, and all you can do is howl."

Dave Reay, director of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, said the report provided a "brutally frank" assessment of COP achievements so far: "an epic fail".

Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere reached new record levels last year, the United Nations said Monday in a stark warning ahead of the COP26 summit about worsening global warming.

Greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere reached new record levels last year, the United Nations said Monday in a stark warning ahead of the COP26 summit about worsening global warming. The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin from the UN's World Meteorological Organization said the annual rate of increase last year was above the yearly average between 2011 and 2020 and the trend continued in 2021. The WMO said the economic slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic triggered a temporary decline in new emissions, but had no discernible impact on the atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases and their growth rates. Also Read | Climate change affects Maasai Mara reserve in Kenya The organisation said that as long as emissions continue, global temperatures will continue to rise. And given the long life of carbon dioxide (CO2), the temperature level already observed will persist for several decades even if emissions are rapidly reduced to net zero. COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, is being held in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12. "The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin contains a stark, scientific message for climate change negotiators at COP26," said WMO chief Petteri Taalas. "At the current rate of increase in greenhouse gas concentrations, we will see a temperature increase by the end of this century far in excess of the Paris Agreement targets of 1.5 to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. "We are way off track." CO2 record The three major greenhouses gases are CO2, methane and nitrous oxide. CO2 is the most important, accounting for around 66 percent of the warming effect on the climate. CO2 concentrations reached 413.2 parts per million in 2020, up 2.5 ppm, and is at 149 percent of the 1750 pre-industrial level, the WMO said. The report said that roughly half of the CO2 emitted by human activity remains in the atmosphere, with the other half ending up in the oceans and the land. "The last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of CO2 was 3-5 million years ago, when the temperature was 2-3C warmer and sea level was 10-20 metres higher than now. But there weren't 7.8 billion people then," said Taalas. Also Read | Key to Biden’s climate agenda likely to be cut because of Manchin opposition Methane averages reached a new high of 1,889 parts per billion in 2020, up 11ppb on the year before, and is at 262 percent of the pre-industrial benchmark. Around 40 percent of methane is emitted from natural sources such as wetlands, while 60 percent comes from human activity, including rice agriculture and landfills. Nitrous oxide averages reached 333.2 ppb, up 1.2 ppb, at 123 percent of 1750 levels. 'No time to lose' The WMO said that with continued rising greenhouse gas emissions, alongside rising temperatures, the planet could also expect more weather extremes. That includes intense heat and rainfall, ice melt, sea-level rise and ocean acidification -- all of which will have far-reaching socio-economic impacts. "We need to transform our commitment into action that will have an impact on the gases that drive climate change," said Taalas. "We need to revisit our industrial, energy and transport systems and whole way of life. The needed changes are economically affordable and technically possible. There is no time to lose." Euan Nisbet, from the University of London's Greenhouse Gas Group, compared greenhouse gas measurements to "skidding into a car crash". "The disaster gets closer and closer but you can't stop it. You can clearly see the crash ahead, and all you can do is howl." Dave Reay, director of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, said the report provided a "brutally frank" assessment of COP achievements so far: "an epic fail".

Greenhouse gas levels reach new record high: UN

As per a new poll released by the United Nations, the youth of the world’s richest and most powerful nations paused their mobile gaming devices to show their support for bold climate action in their countries as they urged for the deployment of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.&nbsp;

G20 Peoples’ Climate Vote surveyed more than 689,000 people from October 2020 to June 2021 across all the G20 member nations. Nearly 302,000 individuals, aged 14-17 made their opinions heard.

Cassie Flynn, the lead author and strategic advisor to the UN Development Program (UNDP) told The Hill that she had been thinking about how to approach such a diverse sample population in a low-pressure environment. Therefore, her team created ads in 19 languages that appeared across popular gaming platforms.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-three-million-homes-at-risk-of-flooding-due-to-climate-change-423946">Also read |&nbsp;UK: Three million homes at risk of flooding due to climate change</a>

The ads ranged from apps that would attract a younger audience to crossword puzzles that might attract older participants as well.&nbsp;

In the results, the widest generational gap was discovered in Australia and the US. This is where people in the "under-18” category ranked 10 percentage points higher than adult respondents regarding general recognition of the climate emergency.&nbsp;

The gap was at its greatest when it came to support for electric vehicles and renewable energy.&nbsp;

A total of 13 percentage points in the US were for electric vehicles, and 10 percentage points for renewable energy.&nbsp;

As per the authors, the members of G20 generated about 75 per cent of global emissions and they account for more than 80 per cent of the global GDP, as well as 60 per cent of the world’s population

The authors say that this is the first time that the voices of young people are being heard in a few countries. Also, many of these individuals will be of voting age in just a few years.&nbsp;

The researchers argued that the survey could provide significant value in forecasting where public opinion is headed on climate policy. Also, it will indicate where stronger public education efforts are needed.

As per a new poll released by the United Nations, the youth of the world’s richest and most powerful nations paused their mobile gaming devices to show their support for bold climate action in their countries as they urged for the deployment of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.

As per a new poll released by the United Nations, the youth of the world’s richest and most powerful nations paused their mobile gaming devices to show their support for bold climate action in their countries as they urged for the deployment of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. G20 Peoples’ Climate Vote surveyed more than 689,000 people from October 2020 to June 2021 across all the G20 member nations. Nearly 302,000 individuals, aged 14-17 made their opinions heard. Cassie Flynn, the lead author and strategic advisor to the UN Development Program (UNDP) told The Hill that she had been thinking about how to approach such a diverse sample population in a low-pressure environment. Therefore, her team created ads in 19 languages that appeared across popular gaming platforms. Also read | UK: Three million homes at risk of flooding due to climate change The ads ranged from apps that would attract a younger audience to crossword puzzles that might attract older participants as well. In the results, the widest generational gap was discovered in Australia and the US. This is where people in the "under-18” category ranked 10 percentage points higher than adult respondents regarding general recognition of the climate emergency. The gap was at its greatest when it came to support for electric vehicles and renewable energy. A total of 13 percentage points in the US were for electric vehicles, and 10 percentage points for renewable energy. As per the authors, the members of G20 generated about 75 per cent of global emissions and they account for more than 80 per cent of the global GDP, as well as 60 per cent of the world’s population The authors say that this is the first time that the voices of young people are being heard in a few countries. Also, many of these individuals will be of voting age in just a few years. The researchers argued that the survey could provide significant value in forecasting where public opinion is headed on climate policy. Also, it will indicate where stronger public education efforts are needed.

G20 youth show their support for bold climate action: UN poll

Thousands of people have been evacuated as heavy rains trigger floods in Vietnam, people have been advised to move to higher grounds as the rains are expected to continue in the coming few days.

Heavy rains trigger floods in Vietnam, thousands evacuated

Can climate change be a national security issue? Well, Israel has made tackling climate change a priority, has pledged to invest in green energy.

Israel: 'Climate crisis a national security issue'

Dozens of climate activists demanding the UK government immediately insulate homes nationwide halted morning rush-hour traffic in London on Monday, ending a 10-day pause in their civil disobedience protests.

Insulate Britain, a new group whose campaigners have repeatedly blocked roads and motorways in and around the capital, targeted three locations including the Canary Wharf and City of London financial districts.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-youths-take-to-streets-in-fridays-for-future-climate-protests-423195">In pics: Youths take to streets in Fridays for Future climate protests</a>

The activists, who want the government to insulate all British homes starting with social housing, began their disruptive demonstrations last month but temporarily suspended them in mid-October to give themselves and the public "a break".

The restart of their protests, which have infuriated drivers and led to some confrontations, comes as the UK prepares to host the UN COP26 climate summit in the Scottish city Glasgow later this week.

"3 locations across the city of London are currently blocked by #InsulateBritain," the group said on Twitter.

"We demand a meaningful statement that the government shall insulate the UK housing stock," it added.&nbsp;

"Why should we wait until millions have lost their homes, are fighting for water or starving to death?"

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-warns-climate-poses-emerging-threat-to-financial-system-422957">US warns climate poses ‘emerging threat’ to financial system</a>

Police, which responded to Monday's renewed protests, have arrested hundreds of Insulate Britain activists -- with some people detained several times -- since they began the demonstrations on September 13.

The government has meanwhile secured court injunctions leaving activists facing court summons and possible imprisonment or an unlimited fine if they block some motorways.

But the group, which has demanded ministers produce within four months a legally-binding and funded national plan to retrofit all homes by 2030, has vowed to continue its campaign.

The government last week outlined more detailed plans to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but was accused by climate campaigners of lacking the necessary ambition in many areas -- including home insulation.

Dozens of climate activists demanding the UK government immediately insulate homes nationwide halted morning rush-hour traffic in London on Monday, ending a 10-day pause in their civil disobedience protests.

Dozens of climate activists demanding the UK government immediately insulate homes nationwide halted morning rush-hour traffic in London on Monday, ending a 10-day pause in their civil disobedience protests. Insulate Britain, a new group whose campaigners have repeatedly blocked roads and motorways in and around the capital, targeted three locations including the Canary Wharf and City of London financial districts. Also Read | In pics: Youths take to streets in Fridays for Future climate protests The activists, who want the government to insulate all British homes starting with social housing, began their disruptive demonstrations last month but temporarily suspended them in mid-October to give themselves and the public "a break". The restart of their protests, which have infuriated drivers and led to some confrontations, comes as the UK prepares to host the UN COP26 climate summit in the Scottish city Glasgow later this week. "3 locations across the city of London are currently blocked by #InsulateBritain," the group said on Twitter. "We demand a meaningful statement that the government shall insulate the UK housing stock," it added. "Why should we wait until millions have lost their homes, are fighting for water or starving to death?" Also Read | US warns climate poses ‘emerging threat’ to financial system Police, which responded to Monday's renewed protests, have arrested hundreds of Insulate Britain activists -- with some people detained several times -- since they began the demonstrations on September 13. The government has meanwhile secured court injunctions leaving activists facing court summons and possible imprisonment or an unlimited fine if they block some motorways. But the group, which has demanded ministers produce within four months a legally-binding and funded national plan to retrofit all homes by 2030, has vowed to continue its campaign. The government last week outlined more detailed plans to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but was accused by climate campaigners of lacking the necessary ambition in many areas -- including home insulation.

UK climate protesters restart traffic-blocking tactics

A powerful storm brought about flash floods and drenched parts of northern California already scarred from devastating wildfires. The storm triggered mudslides and brought down electric lines. The storm is being described as a 'bomb cyclone' - which is an intense weather event when pressure drops quickly. The weather whip-lash follows the busiest wildfire season in California's history, and also heightens threats of further flash flooding.

Powerful storm brings flash floods in California

The US intelligence community has warned that climate change will lead to growing international tensions. The first-ever National Intelligence Estimate on Climate Change highlights the impact of climate on national security through to 2040. It warns of the risks if futuristic geo engineering technologies are deployed by some countries acting alone.

The assessment comes as a collective view of all 18 US intelligence agencies.&nbsp;

It talks about how the world is failing to co-operate and moving towards dangerous competition and instability. "A decline in fossil fuel revenue would further strain Middle Eastern countries that are projected to face more intense climate effects," says the report.

The report identifies 11 countries and two regions where energy, food, water and health security are at risk. This is because they tend to be poorer and less able to adapt. Five of the 11 countries are in South and East Asia, including Afghanistan, Burma, India, Pakistan and North Korea. Four countries are in Central America and the Caribbean, including Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua. Colombia and Iraq are the others.&nbsp;Central Africa and small states in the Pacific are also at risk.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fridays-for-future-activists-in-bern-demand-climate-strike-ahead-of-cop26-423112">Also read |&nbsp;'Fridays for Future': Activists in Bern demand climate strike ahead of COP26</a>

The Arctic is likely to be a major concern as it becomes more accessible because of reducing ice.&nbsp;

This may open new shipping routes and access to fish stocks but also create risks of miscalculation as militaries move in.

Access to water will also become a source of problems. In the Middle East and North Africa, about 60 per cent of surface water resources cross boundaries. Meanwhile, the Mekong River basin could cause problems between China and Cambodia and Vietnam, the report warns.

Another source of risk is that a country might decide to use geo engineering. This involves using futuristic technology.&nbsp;

However, if one country acts alone it could simply shift the problem to another region and create anger from other nations which have been impacted in a negative way.

Researchers in countries like, Australia, China, India, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as several EU members, are looking at these techniques. However, there are few rules or regulations.

The US intelligence community has warned that climate change will lead to growing international tensions. The first-ever National Intelligence Estimate on Climate Change highlights the impact of climate on national security through to 2040.

The US intelligence community has warned that climate change will lead to growing international tensions. The first-ever National Intelligence Estimate on Climate Change highlights the impact of climate on national security through to 2040. It warns of the risks if futuristic geo engineering technologies are deployed by some countries acting alone. The assessment comes as a collective view of all 18 US intelligence agencies. It talks about how the world is failing to co-operate and moving towards dangerous competition and instability. "A decline in fossil fuel revenue would further strain Middle Eastern countries that are projected to face more intense climate effects," says the report. The report identifies 11 countries and two regions where energy, food, water and health security are at risk. This is because they tend to be poorer and less able to adapt. Five of the 11 countries are in South and East Asia, including Afghanistan, Burma, India, Pakistan and North Korea. Four countries are in Central America and the Caribbean, including Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and Nicaragua. Colombia and Iraq are the others. Central Africa and small states in the Pacific are also at risk. Also read | 'Fridays for Future': Activists in Bern demand climate strike ahead of COP26 The Arctic is likely to be a major concern as it becomes more accessible because of reducing ice. This may open new shipping routes and access to fish stocks but also create risks of miscalculation as militaries move in. Access to water will also become a source of problems. In the Middle East and North Africa, about 60 per cent of surface water resources cross boundaries. Meanwhile, the Mekong River basin could cause problems between China and Cambodia and Vietnam, the report warns. Another source of risk is that a country might decide to use geo engineering. This involves using futuristic technology. However, if one country acts alone it could simply shift the problem to another region and create anger from other nations which have been impacted in a negative way. Researchers in countries like, Australia, China, India, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as several EU members, are looking at these techniques. However, there are few rules or regulations.

Climate change may lead to global tension, says US intelligence report

Banner-waving climate activists rallied outside the Swiss parliament on Friday in support of a Global Climate Strike that youth movement Fridays for Future had called for ahead of the UN climate summit COP26.

Protesters in Bern included young children and elderly people with banners reading "climate grandparents" and the words "oil, gas, coal" crossed out.

Swiss media said 1,000-2,000 people took part in the protests. Similar gatherings took place in other cities including Basel and Biel.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elephants-without-tusks-the-mammal-evolves-due-to-brutal-poaching-423074">Also read |&nbsp;Elephants without tusks? The mammal evolves due to brutal poaching</a>

Fridays for Future had called for a global climate strike ahead of the October&nbsp;31 to November&nbsp;12 COP26 conference in Glasgow to draw world leaders' attention to the need "to cut emissions drastically by divesting from fossil fuels", the movement said on its website.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who started Fridays for Future three years ago, told Reuters in an interview this month the conference would succeed only if world leaders admitted their actions were not living up to their words.

Banner-waving climate activists rallied outside the Swiss parliament on Friday in support of a Global Climate Strike that youth movement Fridays for Future had called for ahead of the UN climate summit COP26.

Banner-waving climate activists rallied outside the Swiss parliament on Friday in support of a Global Climate Strike that youth movement Fridays for Future had called for ahead of the UN climate summit COP26. Protesters in Bern included young children and elderly people with banners reading "climate grandparents" and the words "oil, gas, coal" crossed out. Swiss media said 1,000-2,000 people took part in the protests. Similar gatherings took place in other cities including Basel and Biel. Also read | Elephants without tusks? The mammal evolves due to brutal poaching Fridays for Future had called for a global climate strike ahead of the October 31 to November 12 COP26 conference in Glasgow to draw world leaders' attention to the need "to cut emissions drastically by divesting from fossil fuels", the movement said on its website. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who started Fridays for Future three years ago, told Reuters in an interview this month the conference would succeed only if world leaders admitted their actions were not living up to their words.

'Fridays for Future': Activists in Bern demand climate strike ahead of COP26

Australia was the worst climate performer among comparable developed countries since nations pledged in the 2015 Paris agreement to take action to limit global warming, a think tank said Thursday ahead of a key climate conference in Scotland later this month.

The UN&nbsp;summit in Glasgow, known as COP26, will bring together thousands of diplomats, scientists and environmental campaigners to assess progress since nations agreed in the Paris accord to limit warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). The meeting in Glasgow is widely seen as the last chance to hold global warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/boris-johnson-is-playing-another-trick-422142">Boris Johnson is playing another trick</a>

Prime Minister Scott Morrison plans to attend the conference starting October&nbsp;31, but lawmakers in his governing coalition are arguing over adoption of a tougher national carbon reduction target.

Morrison wants to commit Australia to reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, but some lawmakers in the conservative government's junior coalition partner, the Nationals party, are resisting.

"Australia ranks dead last among comparable nations (in) addressing the climate challenge at its source -- by cutting emissions," the report from the Climate Council said. The council is an independently funded non-profit that replaced the Climate Commission, a publicly funded agency abolished in 2013 by the newly elected conservative government in which Morrison was a Cabinet minister.

The report ranked Australia last among 31 wealthy, developed countries on the criteria of emissions reduction performances and pledges.

Britain was first, followed by Switzerland and Sweden. The United States was 23rd.

Australia was tied for last with Canada in terms of fossil fuel extraction and use. Next from the bottom was Norway, then the United States. The Czech Republic came first with Sweden and Switzerland sharing second place.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-sponsors-deem-the-climate-summit-as-mismanaged-and-very-last-minute-421757">COP26: Sponsors deem the climate summit as ‘mismanaged’ and 'very last minute'</a>

Major emitters including China, India and Russia were not included in the tables.

Morrison is unlikely to persuade his colleagues to agree to a more ambitious 2030 target before he goes to Glasgow.

Australia has not budged from its 2015 pledge in Paris to reduce emissions by 26 per cent&nbsp;to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, despite many countries adopting far more ambitious targets.

The Climate Council recommended Australia reduce emissions by 75 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2035.

Australian emissions from electricity have increased by a third since 1990, while transport emissions have grown by more than half, the report said.

If Australia achieves its current 2030 targets, the progress will mostly be reached through reduced land clearing and other land use changes, Climate Council Head of Research Simon Bradshaw told The Associated Press.

"Now that, of course, is important, but it's no substitute for actually stopping emissions at their source," Bradshaw said.

Reducing emissions is a politically fraught issue in Australia, which is one of the world's largest exporters of coal and liquified natural gas. The nation is also one of the world's worst greenhouse gas emitters per capita because of its heavy reliance on coal-fired power.

Australia was the worst climate performer among comparable developed countries since nations pledged in the 2015 Paris agreement to take action to limit global warming, a think tank said Thursday ahead of a key climate conference in Scotland later this month.

Australia was the worst climate performer among comparable developed countries since nations pledged in the 2015 Paris agreement to take action to limit global warming, a think tank said Thursday ahead of a key climate conference in Scotland later this month. The UN summit in Glasgow, known as COP26, will bring together thousands of diplomats, scientists and environmental campaigners to assess progress since nations agreed in the Paris accord to limit warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). The meeting in Glasgow is widely seen as the last chance to hold global warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels. Also Read | Boris Johnson is playing another trick Prime Minister Scott Morrison plans to attend the conference starting October 31, but lawmakers in his governing coalition are arguing over adoption of a tougher national carbon reduction target. Morrison wants to commit Australia to reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, but some lawmakers in the conservative government's junior coalition partner, the Nationals party, are resisting. "Australia ranks dead last among comparable nations (in) addressing the climate challenge at its source -- by cutting emissions," the report from the Climate Council said. The council is an independently funded non-profit that replaced the Climate Commission, a publicly funded agency abolished in 2013 by the newly elected conservative government in which Morrison was a Cabinet minister. The report ranked Australia last among 31 wealthy, developed countries on the criteria of emissions reduction performances and pledges. Britain was first, followed by Switzerland and Sweden. The United States was 23rd. Australia was tied for last with Canada in terms of fossil fuel extraction and use. Next from the bottom was Norway, then the United States. The Czech Republic came first with Sweden and Switzerland sharing second place. Also Read | COP26: Sponsors deem the climate summit as ‘mismanaged’ and 'very last minute' Major emitters including China, India and Russia were not included in the tables. Morrison is unlikely to persuade his colleagues to agree to a more ambitious 2030 target before he goes to Glasgow. Australia has not budged from its 2015 pledge in Paris to reduce emissions by 26 per cent to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, despite many countries adopting far more ambitious targets. The Climate Council recommended Australia reduce emissions by 75 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2035. Australian emissions from electricity have increased by a third since 1990, while transport emissions have grown by more than half, the report said. If Australia achieves its current 2030 targets, the progress will mostly be reached through reduced land clearing and other land use changes, Climate Council Head of Research Simon Bradshaw told The Associated Press. "Now that, of course, is important, but it's no substitute for actually stopping emissions at their source," Bradshaw said. Reducing emissions is a politically fraught issue in Australia, which is one of the world's largest exporters of coal and liquified natural gas. The nation is also one of the world's worst greenhouse gas emitters per capita because of its heavy reliance on coal-fired power.

Australia branded worst climate performer ahead of UN summit

Egypt has now rolled out a 2.5 billion dollars plan to build 17 desalination plants that will be powered by solar energy. The government has been offering concessions to attract private investors, it aims to set up the plant by the next five years.

Egypt to build 17 desalination plants, invites private bidders in clean energy push

From violent protests to strikes, we have witnessed many campaigns to save the earth. But, one campaign in Israel has been making headlines, watch this report to know more.

Hundreds strip for nude photoshoot, white body paint to emulate dead sea salt pillars

Indigenous communities in Ecuador are taking on the government to protect the Amazon forest. Watch this report for more!

Indigenous communities in Ecuador sue government, fight to save Amazon forest

climate

Climate, News on Climate, stories on Climate, articles on Climate, Climate stories at Wion, Climate news, Climate latest news