A call for decisive commitments on climate action must be demonstrated during the world climate summit underway in Glasgow, Scotland.

The British High Commissioner to Fiji, George Edgar said this while hosting a reception at his residence on Tuesday night to mark the opening of the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26).

 “We want to ensure that as we do that, the needs and priorities of vulnerable countries, not least those in the Pacific, are fully reflected,” Mr Edgar said.

At the COP26, world leaders will negotiate together with Government officials, civil society, business leaders and youths.

It will be the United Nations global climate summit where the United Kingdom will assume its presidency.

“I am sure that the stronger delegation led by Prime minister Bainimarama will raise specific priorities and will work in the corridors to encourage greater ambition on the part of those countries that are lagging behind,” Mr Edgar said.

 “The twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss are the biggest issues facing humanity. Addressing them means changing how we think, how we act, and how we measure success.

 “It means transforming our institutions and systems, in particular our finance education systems to make those changes possible and to sustain them for future generations.”

 With the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, Mr Edgar said it has only underlined how much we have to and how little time we have to do it.

“We have made progress since the Paris Agreement signing during COP21 and even last month around 70 per cent of the world’s economy is now covered by net zero targets, up from less than 30 per cent when the UK took on Presidency for COP26.”

 He added that there was an urgent need to mobilise finance to tackle the climate emergency.

 “A growing number of countries have committed to ending overseas investments in coal, but we still need to see an end to domestic investments and funds for rapid phases of existing plants,” he said.

 “The UK is doing its part and has doubled its climate finance commitments for the current five-year periods,” Mr Edgar said.

He reiterated that there are four priority areas for COP26.

 “To secure global net zero and keep 1.5 degrees within reach, to urgently adapt to protect communities and natural habitats, to mobilise finance and to work together to accelerate action,” he said.

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