UK puts in bid to host COP26 in 2020

The UK has bid to host the United Nations climate talks, COP26, in 2020.

Today is the final day of COP24, taking place in Katowice, Poland. The climate talks, which started on the 2nd December, have brought together governments from across the world to discuss how to keep global average temperature rise well below 2.0 degrees Celsius.

The UK has been at COP24 for the last two weeks to reinforce their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in green jobs.

Thérèse Coffey, Parliamentary under Secretary of State for the Environment, discussed the importance of a circular economy at the Sustainable Innovation Forum. In the response to the growing plastic pollution, she said: "There is no reason in the UK to drink bottled water."

The climate talks in 2020 will be crucial for countries to show they have met deadlines set at the Paris Agreement. If the UK is successful in their bid, it would strengthen the government’s determination to remain a world leader after Brexit.  

Claire Perry, Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said: “We have to make sure we can deliver a good COP, as 2020 will be a really vital COP, and we absolutely want to be part of that process. So, today I am announcing I have officially written to express the UK government's interest in formally hosting COP in 2020.”

The location of COP25 in 2019 is still yet to be announced but Chile and Costa Rica have been included as firm favourites. Brazil has withdrawn from hosting in 2019 as the new President-elect Jair Bolsonaro said on his campaign that he may pull out of the Paris Agreement.

This news follows the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announcing a new 1.5C Compatible Plan to combat climate change.

Photograph: La Moncloa - Gobierno de España