Participants have promised to “end all investment in new coal power generation domestically and internationally” as well as rapidly scale up clean power, with a view to phasing out coal in the 2030s for major economies and the 2040s for developing countries.
The British government hailed the agreement as a “milestone moment in our global efforts to tackle climate change” but campaigners argue that the critical 1.5C global warming target will be missed so long as the biggest polluters refuse to sign up.
The live updates for this blog have ended.
Thunberg continued her criticism of the COP26 conference.
“To be honest, we probably all know that the changes that are necessary will not come from inside these conferences,” she said. “This is the harsh reality.”
She said without “massive pressure from the outside,” leaders will continue to “get away with not doing anything” and not being held accountable.
When asked by Watson what it would take for this COP26 to be a success, Thunberg said, “what would be considered a success would be if people realize what a failure this COP is.”
She also accused CEOs of using the summit for “greenwashing.”
International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi is meeting with world leaders to discuss the role of nuclear energy in achieving net-zero emissions goals.
Grossi met with U.S. Climate Envoy and former Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss new technologies, like small modular reactors, that can be used to fight climate change.
Speculation is mounting that the pair could make a deal to either end or significantly reduce coal mining and burning in the coming decades.
The British think tank, which rarely reveals its sources of funding, receives significant annual donations from oil company BP.
Summit President Alok Sharma announced the good news to COP26 delegates just moments ago - but talks over the U.S., China, and Australia continue to stall.
The outlet headed to Shanxi province - known as China’s ‘coal country’ - where Mao-era infrastructure is being ramped up despite orders from 2017 to ramp down production.
Follow Newsweek’s liveblog throughout Thursday for all the latest.