COP26: Barack Obama says world 'still falling short' on fighting climate change

Barack Obama has told the COP26 summit that the world is "collectively and individually... still falling short" on fighting climate change.

The former US president is making a speech at the start of the second week of the Glasgow event.

"We have not done nearly enough to address this crisis. We are going to have to do more," said Mr Obama.

He went on to say: "We are nowhere near where we need to be at," adding that most countries had failed to meet their promises from the Paris Agreement.

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He warned: "The consequences of not moving fast enough are becoming more apparent all the time."

He also criticised his successor Donald Trump for pulling out of the Paris deal, but said under President Biden the US government was "once again engaged" in the climate battle.

"Some of our progress stalled when my successor decided to unilaterally pull out of the Paris Agreement," Mr Obama told delegates.

"I wasn't real happy with that."

Mr Obama also said it was "discouraging" that the leaders of China and Russia, countries vital to the climate change battle, were not at the summit.

Their plans so far show an apparent "dangerous lack of urgency and willingness to maintain the status quo", said the former US president.

"We can't afford to stay where we are. The world has to step up and it has to step up now," he said.

"There are times when I am doubtful that humanity can get its act together before it's too late. Images of dystopia start creeping into my dreams."

However, he called cynicism "the recourse of cowards" and told delegates the world cannot afford to feel a sense of hopelessness.

There was also optimism from one of the summit's most-anticipated speakers, and he welcomed last week's pledge to cub methane emissions by 30% by 2020.

He also said the key aim of keeping to a 1.5C increase was "going to be hard" - but "if we stay with it, we will get this done".

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