Labour frontbencher Ed Miliband has called on the people of the UK to deliver “the biggest climate mobilisation we have ever seen” next year as Glasgow prepares to host a UN summit on the issue.
The COP26 summit plans to keep pressure on countries to set out carbon reduction schemes in 2021, after the talks were postponed this year due to the pandemic.
Mr Miliband told The Independent: “This has got to be the biggest climate mobilisation we’ve ever seen. There’s nothing that’s going to happen on climate in the next five years that is as important as this.”
Some 75 leaders will set out new plans to tackle the climate crisis at the summit, but UK Business Secretary and Cop26 president Alok Sharma has warned it was not enough to put the world on track to limit global warming to 1.5C, and more action is needed.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has urged leaders to declare climate emergencies in all countries until emissions are reduced to zero overall, starting with meaningful cuts now.
Former Labour leader Mr Miliband said the UK needs to deliver a campaign of demonstrations, rallies, letter-writing and lobbying in the 10 months before the November summit to ensure Prime Minister Boris Johnson understands that the country expects him to deliver.
COP26 will begin in Glasgow on November 1 2021.
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