The government is “absolutely working” on the basis that the United Nations COP26 summit will be held in Glasgow this autumn, Anne-Marie Trevelyan has insisted.
Giving evidence at a House of Commons select committee hearing this morning (23 June) on preparations for the global climate change event, which has been postponed from last year due to the pandemic, the energy minister said the government is committed to hosting it this autumn.
“We are absolutely working on the basis that the COP will happen in Glasgow in November,” she said.
Pressed by Scottish National Party MP Mhairi Black on whether the government has contingency plans in the event of a fresh wave of the coronavirus hits, Trevelyan said “We are working tirelessly to deliver safe and successful COP in person in Glasgow. It’s really important to have in-person talks.”
But she said that while the UK is hosting the summit, the final decision on whether to press ahead with a physical event will be made by the UN.
Ros Eales, chief operating officer of the COP26 Unit at the Cabinet Office, said the government is working closely with public health officials, including the World Health Organisation, on measures to mitigate risks of coronavirus infection.
She also said the UK is working to provide vaccines to all accredited delegates, including observers and media, from countries suffering from poor access to them.
Trevelyan also said there had been 4,000 expressions of interest of proposals for events, exhibitions and talks at the COP fringe’ green zone’, which is due to be located on the opposite bank of the River Clyde from the summit venue at the Glasgow Science Centre.