Question

To ask the President of COP26, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on rates of international decarbonisation of the China's potential non-attendance at COP26; and what steps he is taking to ensure global agreement on action to prevent global warming beyond 1.5C.

COP26 comes at a critical moment for the future of our planet. As hosts of COP26, we are encouraging high-level participation in COP26 from all parties. To date over 120 leaders have confirmed their attendance. In our capacity as COP26 President, the UK looks forward to working closely with all parties, including China, to bring key negotiating issues to a constructive conclusion at COP26. This includes securing ambitious announcements to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Under the Paris Agreement, all parties committed to holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognising that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. As the incoming COP President, the UK has been pressing all leaders to commit to ambitious climate action ahead of COP26 through a programme of regular engagement and events, including through the Climate Ambition Summit, the G7 and G20.