UN climate agency publishes draft of final Glasgow COP26 deal

The United Nations climate agency on Wednesday published a first draft of the political decision countries will issue at the end of the COP26 summit.

Negotiators from nearly 200 countries will work from the draft to strike a final deal before the summit ends on Friday, reports Reuters.

The “COP cover decision” is being closely watched for what it might commit countries to do to bridge the gap between their current climate targets and the more ambitious action scientists say is needed to avert disastrous levels of warming.

Big divisions remain as countries barter over the fine details. Among them are disagreements over carbon market rules, the timeline for updating emissions-cutting pledges and payments to climate-vulnerable nations.

Meanwhile, a raft of announcements are expected on the greening of transportation. Emissions from the transportation sector account for about 24% of global emissions.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged countries overnight to “put aside differences and come together for our planet and our people”.

He was expected to travel on Wednesday from London back to the conference to meet with national and civil society negotiators together with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.