‘Either we stop it, or it stops us’: UN Secretary-General opens Cop26 with climate crisis warning – live | environment

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1.18 PM GMT 13:18

Attenborough says we need a new industrial revolution powered by sustainable innovation, including taking carbon out of the air. He says this can provide a new clean world, and we can use nature as our ally.

1.17pm GMT13:17

“Is this how it was ultimately judged?” He asks, wondering if humanity’s downfall will be our shortsightedness. But he says there is still a chance to turn tragedy into triumph. “We are, after all, the greatest problem solvers ever on Earth.”

1.16pm GMT 13:16

He says it’s a story of inequality. “Those who have done the least to cause this problem are the hardest hit.” But soon we’ll see the effects of climate collapse, he warns.

1.15pm GMT 13:15

Attenborough gives delegates a preserved climate history, displaying a graph showing how stable the climate was for centuries before the era of climate change.

“We are already in a bind. The stability that we all depend on is crumbling.”

1.13pm GMT13:13

David Attenborough now. It was expected at 1pm, so they got back about 12 minutes from the previous delays.

1.12 PM GMT 13:12

Charles’ speech is largely about what the private sector does and can do.

“I have absolutely no doubt that the private sector is ready to play its part.”

He stresses that the cost of inaction is much greater than the cost of prevention.

“I can only urge you to find ways to work together… to save this precious planet.”

1.10pm GMT 13:10

Fiona Harvey

Fiona Harvey wrote an early report on Guterres’ speech

1.09pm GMT13:09

Charles tells delegates that they must cooperate and coordinate to find a solution based on creating a renewable and sustainable economy. He talks about the need for the private sector to contribute to accelerating the process.

1.07pm GMT13:07

Damian Carrington

If you find Cop26 puzzling, you’re not alone, says prominent climate scientist, Gavin Schmidt:

Gavin Schmidt (@ClimateOfGavin)

This tweet is to let ordinary people know that even climate scientists are having an impossible time trying to understand what’s going on at #COP26 and what any of the important things will be.

November 1, 2021

1.06pm GMT13:06

Prince Charles is next. He opened his talk by talking about the links between the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis. He urges world leaders to act decisively: “Time is literally running out.”

1.01 PM GMT 13:01

Guterres summarizes what might be a reference for Trainspotting:

Climate action tops the list of people’s concerns, across countries, age and gender. We must listen, we must act, and we must choose wisely. On behalf of this and future generations, I urge you to: choose ambition, choose solidarity, choose to protect our future and save humanity.”

And so it is over.

12.59 pm GMT

António Guterres urges action on $100 billion climate finance target

Guterres talks about the importance of reaching the $100 billion a year climate finance goal that Paris promised in 2015:

“The $100 billion climate finance commitment annually to support developing countries must become a reality of $100 billion climate finance. This is critical to restoring trust and credibility.

“I welcome the efforts led by Canada and Germany to help get us there. It is a first step – but it delays the largest support for years, with no clear guarantees. But beyond the $100 billion, developing countries need much more resources to fight Covid-19, build resilience and strive to achieve sustainable development.

“Those who suffer the most – the least developed countries and small island developing states – need urgent financing. More public climate finance, more external development aid, more grants, and easier access to finance.”

Updated at 1.02 PM GMT

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