A new draft agreement at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow has stepped up calls on governments to urgently tackle climate change. However, the draft of COP26 cover deal released on Friday appeared to be backing away from a call to end all use of coal and phase out fossil fuel subsidies completely. The new draft asks countries to reveal their plans to massively reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a much faster speed than previously. It also asks countries to strengthen their support for poorer countries fighting climate change. A previous version published on Wednesday had called on countries to "accelerate the phasing out of coal and subsidies for fossil fuel." The change in wording suggested a shift away from unconditional demands that some fossil fuel exporting nations have objected to. The text is still likely to undergo further negotiation at the talks, due to end Friday. The question of how to address the continued use of fossil fuels responsible for much of global warming has been one of the key sticking points at COP26. Scientists agree it is necessary to end their use as soon as possible to meet the 2015 Paris accord's goal of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius. But explicitly including such a call in the overarching declaration is politically sensitive. Negotiators from almost 200 countries gathered in Glasgow on Oct. 31 amid dire warnings from leaders, activists and scientists that not enough is being done to tackle the climate crisis. Negotiations could go late into Friday or longer. The UN meeting is seen as crucial to limiting the worst effects of global warming. On Friday the UN chief Antonio Guterres said COP26 would probably not achieve its aims and the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C is on "life support". Scientists say that limiting warming to 1.5C compared to pre-industrial levels will protect us from the most dangerous impacts of climate change. Meeting the goal requires global emissions to be cut by 45% by 2030 and to zero overall by 2050. One example of the impact of global temperature rise above 2C is the death of virtually all coral reefs, scientists say. The draft agreement — also called a "cover decision" — is the second version released this week. Governments and representatives have been negotiating details of the first draft published on Wednesday. A key sticking point was climate finance — the money promised by richer countries to poorer —countries to fight climate change. It is controversial because developed countries are responsible for most greenhouse gas emissions but developing countries see the worst effects of climate change. The talks in Glasgow will likely be extended If officials are unable to reach an agreement by Friday's official deadline. Despite the promises made at COP26 so far, the planet is still heading for 2.4C of warming above pre-industrial levels, according to a report by Climate Action Tracker. — Agencies
