LONDON (CU)_Preparations for the UN climate summit (COP26), scheduled to be held later this year, is
set to intensify in May, when the participants will hold virtual negotiations ahead of the summit. The
conference, which was postponed to November on account of the pandemic, is considered one of the
last chances for the world to strengthen the global response to climate change, in order to keep global
temperature rise well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, which is the central aim of the Paris Accord.
On Thursday night (15 April), representatives from the US, the UK and those from developing and
developed nations agreed to hold a three-week long virtual meeting from 31 May, in order to begin
negotiating agreements, which can then be rubber stamped when the participants meet in person.
Although the United Kingdom, as host of COP26, has been keen to hold the summit as an in-person
event, however, other options are under considerations, owing to the recent surge in COVID-19
infections in many countries.
Climate Conference of Parties (COP) meetings have been taking place every year under the 1992 UN
convention on climate change, which is the parent treaty of the Paris accord. Under normal
circumstances, countries which are due to participate in the summit would hold informal discussions
throughout the year, after which they would establish firm decisions at a two-week long session in early
summer, before enacting them at the COP.
Nevertheless, the UN is keen on holding formal negotiations virtually this year, in order to ensure that
the summit itself goes smoothly. However, some developing nations have expressed their concerns over
virtual negotiations as they fear big countries getting the better of them. Some of them also lack the
infrastructure required to hold effective online meetings.
In response to these concerns, the United Nations has decided to open its offices and facilities in these
countries for the use of climate negotiators, and has also decided to hold meetings in different time
zones which would ensure fair access for all.
Aubrey Webson, chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, which includes countries which are at the
risk of inundation owing to rising sea levels, told the Guardian that developing nations are willing to
compromise on holding negotiations virtually, as long as the COP itself will take place in person.
“The biggest thing for us, the red line, is that COP26 must be an in-person conference,” he said. “Once
we can work out how to do that, we will have a successful COP. But it will not be a fair COP if we do not
