Impassioned calls to world leaders to act on climate change

The world is facing a climate 'doomsday' says British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and it's time to take immediate action. That was his message to leaders gathered in Glasgow on their first of two days at the COP26 climate summit. Many nations have committed to tougher emissions reduction targets, including Australia, which is hoping to reach net zero by 2050. But India says it will only reach that goal by 2070 and China is standing by its target of 2060.

Sir David Attenborough at the opening ceremony of COP26 in Glasgow, UK. Source: AAP

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison saw no reason for doom and gloom, declaring there to be ‘cause for optimism’.

He formally presented Australia’s new target of net zero emissions by 2050, to be achieved by as-yet-unspecified technology.

From India, the world’s third-largest emitter, there was a surprise announcement.

"By 2070 India will achieve the target of net zero emissions."

That’s two decades after the COP target, and 10 years after China.

But a pledge to source 50 per cent of India’s energy from renewable sources by 2030 has been welcomed.

 

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