Merlin Hyman, chief executive of Regen, responds to COP26 President Alok Sharma’s speech marking six months to go until the COP26 summit in Glasgow.
With six months to go to COP26 in Glasgow, Alok Sharma is right to say this is our best chance for a better future.
As COP26 host, the UK has a key leadership role. We have shown that leadership with our ambitious targets for cutting our own emissions. Now we need to show we can deliver on those goals. In particular, the UK will be in a much better place to ask developing countries to end coal if we show we are serious about weaning ourselves off gas.
A key test will be the forthcoming strategy to decarbonise our leaky inefficient homes and buildings. The government should follow the example of its ban on fossil fuel vehicles by setting clear end dates for the use of fossil fuel heating – and work with local government to put in place the incentives and support to enable householders to upgrade their homes.
