Hitting 1.5C climate target ' tough' – COP26 chief
COP26: 'If Glasgow fails, whole thing fails', says Johnson
That's all for now - we'll be back tomorrowpublished at 20:41 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021After a very busy day of speeches and announcements from Rome and Glasgow, that's us done for today.Our live coverage was produced by Jen Meierhans, Paul McLaren, Victoria Lindrea, Kelly-Leigh Cooper and Yaroslav Lukov. It was edited by Kevin Ponniah and Tiffany Wertheimer.We'll be back tomorrow morning, as world leaders descend on Glasgow and finally get into the conference venue. See you then, but if you want more now - read this on what the climate summit could mean for all of us.Sturgeon supports COP26 despite Scotland 'not being at top table'published at 20:34 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Image source, Scottish GovernmentImage caption, Nicola Sturgeon met Vietnamese prime minister Pham Minh Chinh on the first day of COP26World leaders are heading to Glasgow tonight, ahead of their meetings tomorrow for COP26.Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon has
said she will do everything possible to help make it a success, despite not being at
"the top table in discussions".Speaking earlier as world leaders arrived in Glasgow, Sturgeon said: "Scotland is welcoming the world to what may be the most important international conference of this century."Once world leaders are all in the same room, they must seize the moment and agree the necessary steps to prevent catastrophic temperature rises."And when they leave Glasgow, they must return home carrying a message of hope for humanity's future."Biden pays tribute to Pope Francispublished at 20:27 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021President Biden was asked a range of questions by journalists at his G20 news conference, and became visibly moved while answering one about his debates and splits within Catholicism and his personal relationship with Pope Francis."Pope Francis has become - I don't want to exaggerate - someone who has provided great solace for my family when my son died," he told the media. The president said he lost "the real part of his soul" when his son Beau died in 2015, and recounted a story of how, days after Beau's death, Biden met the Pope during a visit to the US while working under then-President Barack Obama."Before he left and got on the plane, the Pope asked whether or not he could meet with my family and we met in a hanger in Philadelphia airport," Biden said - adding the meeting had a "cathartic impact"  for his family. "He's just a fine, decent, honourable man and we keep in touch," he added, before leaving the stage.Image source, Handout via EPAImage caption, President Biden gifted Pope Francis a special coin during a meeting in Rome on FridayGlasgow has Antarctic glacier named in its honourpublished at 20:13 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Image source, Pierre Dutrieux/BASGlasgow has been honoured in a unique way for hosting COP26 - with an Antarctic glacier being named after the city.The 100km-long ice stream is in a region of the White Continent known to be experiencing rapid melting.Eight other nearby glaciers will also carry the names of cities where important climate reports were issued, or policies were agreed.They include Geneva, which held the very first climate conference in 1979.Biden stresses environmental benefits of US-EU steel tariff dealpublished at 20:03 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Anthony ZurcherBBC North America reporterAt the G20, a newly announced US-EU trade agreement on steel and aluminum tariffs had
all the makings of an economic event. But - ahead of COP26 - US President Joe Biden and EU
Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen made it an environmental one. Biden announced the US
was dropping Trump-era tariffs on European steel and aluminum – with the EU
also promising to end its retaliatory tariffs. While Biden touted the economic
benefits of the move, he emphasised the agreement’s hoped-for
environmental impact, stressing the deal would incentivise emission reductions in steel production and restrict access to the US and EU markets for “dirty steel” from places such as China.Noting that steel production is one of the most carbon-intensive sectors
of the global economy, he said the US and EU had agreed to a “carbon-based
arrangement”.Von der Leyen, for her part, said the agreement was the start of “a new
global, sustainable steel arrangement”.Image source, ReutersBiden defends renewable planspublished at 19:54 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021The president has finished taking media questions now, and left the stage.He was also asked about his Build Back Better framework's climate policies. He's asked if his incentives toward renewable energy go far enough, and also about potentially introducing punitive measures to hold companies accountable."Everyone knows which direction it's going," he says in defence of his carrot-and-stick approach with US industry.Biden says Russia and China 'not showing up'published at 19:42 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Biden opens up the floor to questions from the media.The president is asked if the world can be confident that the US will make good on its climate promises without him having the votes in Congress on bills to authorise funding. He says he remains confident his plans will pass. He then addresses disappointment by some about what was agreed at the G20 ahead of COP26. Mr Biden says China and Russia "basically didn't show up" on matters of the climate and says he "found it disappointing". Media caption, President Biden says Russia and China 'not showing up' on climateBiden hails 'productive' G20published at 19:34 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Image source, ReutersIt seems the delay had something to do with an elevator - the president apologises and says it's a long story... but begins addressing the media in Rome.He describes a "series of very productive meetings" at the G20 news conference and says he is "looking forward to continuing to make progress" on climate issues in Glasgow. He speaks about the new global minimum tax agreement on big businesses - describing it as an "incredible win" for all countries.The president also addresses issues of supply chain issues at home in the US and speaks about the hard-fought infrastructure deal his administration is trying to get passed in Congress.Biden addresses mediapublished at 19:25 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021And President Biden has just begun his news conference in Rome.We're still waiting for President Biden...published at 19:19 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021It seems like his post-G20 press conference will be a little later than expected.It's now after 20:15 local time in Rome.Hundreds of COP26 attendees stranded in London after stormpublished at 19:00 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Hundreds of people hoping to get to Glasgow are delayed after storms disrupted train services from London's Euston StationTravellers heading to Scotland for the COP26 climate summit have been left stranded by major rail disruption caused by "intense storms".Hundreds of people were left waiting at London's Euston station after fallen trees caused all trains to be suspended.Network Rail said trains had been able to resume using a diversion, only for that route to then also become blocked.Read more here.Climate change activists disappointed with G20 statementpublished at 18:47 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Image source, Getty ImagesWhile we wait for President Biden's news conference, let's take a look at some of the reaction from the G20 agreements.As we've been hearing from Italy's PM, the leaders of the world's richest economies - the G20 - have pledged to pursue efforts to limit global warming with "meaningful and effective actions".But exactly how this will be achieved was not revealed in their statement leaving activists "disappointed".Their closing statement, called a communiqué, makes no reference to achieving net zero by 2050, which many countries have already pledged to do and scientists say is critical to avoiding a climate catastrophe.Italy's PM said they are committed to net zero by "mid-century", but China - the world's worst polluter - and Russia have pushed their deadline out to 2060.The communiqué does pledge, however, to stop financing new, unabated coal plants internationally by the end of this year - a strong message to coal-reliant nations such as China, Russia and India. But the G20 leaders stopped short of agreeing to end coal power in their own nations.Oscar Soria, of the activist network Avaaz, told the Reuters news agency there was "little sense of urgency" coming from the group, adding: "There is no more time for vague wish-lists, we need concrete commitments and action."Read more: G20 pledge climate action but make few commitmentsPresident Biden to speak soonpublished at 18:29 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021BreakingWe are expecting to hear from US President Joe Biden shortly.Biden will speak from Rome, where a summit of G20 leaders just concluded.‘I’m proud to tell people how friendly Glasgow is’published at 18:19 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Image source, bbcImage caption, Cynthia Tjipuka is looking forward to showcasing her adopted cityAs world leaders start to arrive in Glasgow, a 1,000-strong team of volunteers have taken to the streets of the Scottish city to play their part in COP26.The volunteers will be on hand with local information to help the expected 25,000 visitors get around the city.They will be based at key transport hubs and travel routes including Buchanan Street bus station and along Lancefield Quay on the Clyde.For many, the event - which runs until 12 November - is about promoting Glasgow on a global stage.Cynthia Tjipuka, who moved to Scotland from Namibia 10 months ago, is thrilled at the prospect of being able to help showcase her adopted home city.She said: "I'm seriously honoured and humbled to be part of such a huge event. This is a life-changing event for our future generations and for the planet."Watch hereG20 produced vague promises and platitudes - Oxfampublished at 18:07 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Image source, Getty ImagesGlobal poverty charity Oxfam says the G20 group of the world's richest countries have offered "vague promises and platitudes" instead of providing "the lightning bolt that the COP26 climate talks so desperately need". Oxfam’s senior adviser, Jörn Kalinski, says confirming the 1.5C goal of the Paris Agreement was a "minimum requirement" and without a promise to revise national climate plans "it is meaningless".However, Kalinski says the promise to stop financing new coal power plants overseas by the end of this year was "one of the few positives" of the G20's statement. Quote MessageThe half-hearted words on financing adaptation in vulnerable countries were again not backed up by timeframes or targets. Without these, poorer nations will continue to lack the resources they need to protect lives, homes and businesses from weather disasters.Jörn Kalinski, Oxfam, senior adviserHas the UK cut out carbon more than other leading economies?published at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Reality CheckPM Boris Johnson has just spoken about the carbon-cutting progress the UK has made saying it is "proof" that more can be done.And earlier, Alok
Sharma, president of COP26, compared the UK’s climate record
with other leading economies, telling the BBC: “We as a country have decarbonised our economy more than any other
G20 nation”.But is that true?Since 1990, the UK has had about a 44% reduction in its yearly
carbon emissions, according to the latest government data.That is a bigger drop than any other major economy over recent years. Germany’s annual
emissions, for example, are down about 30% over the same time period.Most
of the UK’s reduction has been achieved by decarbonising the energy sector -
closing coal-fired power stations and spending money on solar, wind and nuclear
energy.But the UK has struggled to achieve such sustained reductions in
its buildings and transport sector, with just a 1.6% and 0.2% cut in emissions
since 2011 respectively.Campaigners, including Greta Thunberg, also question the 44%
figure, saying it doesn’t cover all emissions – for example, those associated
with making goods in other countries, which the UK then imports. The way the UK
calculates its figures, however, is consistent with other countries and the UN.Methane could offer a quick winpublished at 17:54 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Jonathan AmosScience correspondent, BBC NewsCarbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are
mostly responsible for our climate problem, but methane makes a significant
contribution. Molecule for molecule, its warming effect is greater than CO2,
but it’s also short-lived in the atmosphere, meaning that if we can get on top
of its human-produced sources (like fossil fuels, agriculture and waste landfills) we could have some quick wins in the battle against global
heating. Governments attending COP26 are being asked to sign up for the Global Methane Pledge, external which commits to a collective goal of reducing global methane emissions by at
least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. Today also sees the formal launch
of the UN Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory, external
(IMEO).  A lot of their data will come from self-reporting by governments and
companies, but the observatory will also be making good use of remote-sensing
tools.Take a look at this picture just released from the GHGSat company. GHGSat flies a constellation of small satellites that can
now spy sources of methane at high resolution - selling its data to companies to help them
understand their emissions and develop strategies to deal with them. This image depicts an open-cast coal mine in Kazakhstan. The gas is
likely seeping from a new wall that’s being worked on in the mine.Key developments in Rome and Glasgow - quick recappublished at 17:47 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Image source, ReutersIf you're just joining our live coverage - here are the main developments at the G20 summit in Rome and the opening day of the COP26 in Glasgow:
      COP26 President Alok Sharma warns Glasgow is the "last, best hope to keep 1.5C in reach". He is referring to the goal to keep warming limited to 1.5C by 2100 -  but we are currently on track for 2.7C, which the UN says would result in "climate catastrophe"
    
      G20 leaders urge "meaningful and effective action" to achieve the 1.5C target - but agree few specific measures
    
      Activists call it a missed opportunity - but others say it could still help build momentum for stronger commitments at COP26 itself
    
      UK PM Boris Johnson says any progress will depend on "the will, the courage and the leadership of everybody" at COP26 
    
      Swedish activist Greta Thunbergtold the BBC that sometimes "you have to anger people" to create change
    Stay with us - as we'll be bringing you all the latest developments, eyewitness accounts and analysis by our correspondents on the ground.Watch: 'If Glasgow fails, then the whole thing fails'published at 17:32 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Here's a clip of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging world leaders to take real action at COP26 to avert the summit's failure.No jokes in Rome as Boris sets tone ahead of COP26published at 17:21 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2021Chris MasonPolitical CorrespondentThe prime minister is known for a style that is rarely a sentence or two away from the jocular.Puns, jokes, bonhomie.There was none of that in Boris Johnson's news conference as the G20 Summit closes in Rome.In his tone and his language, there was a seriousness of purpose; even, as ITV Political Editor Robert Peston suggested, a gloominess.On climate, the G20 had merely been "reasonable," he said, progress had merely "inched forward".He acknowledged that the communiqué, the agreement published at the end of the summit, was vague in its promises because of disagreement among the world's biggest economies.It promises members will reach net zero carbon emissions "at or around mid-century" - an acceptance that some haven't committed to 2050, but instead to 2060 - or have made no commitment at all.And so on to Glasgow and what the prime minister says will be a "very, very difficult" few days.