COP26 is the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the third meeting of the parties to the Paris Agreement of 1994.
The last conference, COP25, was held in Madrid, Spain, in November 2019. A big speech at the event was presented by Greta Thunberg.
Earlier, COP24 was held by Poland in the southern city of Katowice.
Ahead of the Conference, Poland's Deputy Minister for Climate and Environment, Adam Guibourgé-Czetwertyński told Polish Radio's IAR news agency that the key to success of joint global efforts are more ambitious goals to offset climate change as declared by the Paris Agreement parties.
He quoted the example of the European Union, which declared climate neutrality (i.e. reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and also compensating for the remaining emissions) by 2050, and agreed on 55% reduction of CO2 emission by 2030.
He added that currently, "just as ambitious declarations" were being made by other countries worldwide. "Recently even Saudi Arabia, which is so dependent on oil extraction, declared climate neutrality in 2060", he said.
He pointed out that the discussions are also to focus on the functioning of the Paris Agreement in practice, while a majority of the rules and principles for implementing the Agreement were agreed at COP24 in Katowice three years ago. A number of the principal actions proposed then are to be continued by the British presidency at COP26, he said, mentioning electromobility or just transformation.
The official opening of COP26 takes place on Monday, November 1. It is to be attended by Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.
COP26 continues in Glasgow until November 12.
Source: IAR/PAP