COP26: What is the Glasgow climate conference and why is it important?

The UK is hosting a summit aimed at bringing climate change under control.

The meeting, in Glasgow until 12 November, could change our everyday lives.

The world is warming because of emissions from fossil fuels used by humans, like coal, oil and gas.

Extreme weather events linked to climate change - including heatwaves, floods and forest fires - are intensifying. The past decade was the warmest on record and governments agree urgent collective action is needed.

For this conference - called COP26 - 200 countries have been asked for their plans to cut emissions by 2030.

They all agreed in 2015 to make changes to keep global warming "well below" 2C - and to try aim for 1.5C - so that we avoid a climate catastrophe.

This is what's known as the Paris Agreement. It means countries have to keep cutting emissions until reaching net zero in 2050.

Many countries set out plans to reduce emissions before the summit, but there has been a flurry of new announcements:

Up to 25,000 people are expected in Glasgow, including world leaders, negotiators and journalists.

Thousands of businesses and campaigners also go to attend events and hold protests.

Expect a lot of talk about money and climate justice. Developing countries tend to pollute less per head of population and are not responsible for most emissions in the past.

But they experience some of the worst effects of climate change.

They need money to help reduce emissions and cope with climate change. It could mean more solar panels in countries that depend on energy from coal and flood defence systems.

There will also be a battle over compensation for developing countries affected by climate change.

In 2009, wealthy countries pledged $100bn (£720m) a year to help poorer nations by 2020. However, this goal has still not been met and could slip to 2023.

As host, the UK wants all participants to recommit to net zero emissions by 2050 - as well as big reductions by 2030.

It will also want more specific pledges, like those already agreed on deforestation and methane.

Developing countries will want a significant financial package over the next five years, to help them adapt to rising temperatures.

Anything short of this is likely to be judged inadequate because there simply isn't more time to keep the 1.5C goal alive.

However, some scientists believe world leaders have left it too late and no matter what is agreed at COP26, 1.5C will not be achieved.

Top image from Getty Images. Climate stripes visualisation courtesy of Prof Ed Hawkins and University of Reading.

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