Activists want COP26 delayed on jabs concerns

A coalition of more than 1,500 environmental groups has called for the postponement of the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow at the end of October, claiming that lopsided global COVID-19 vaccine distribution makes attendance unequal.

The talks, delayed by a year because of the pandemic, will run from Oct 31 to Nov 12, and aim to help countries progress toward the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 in a bid to limit the impact of climate change.

Usually, such a gathering would attract delegates from nearly 200 countries. But with so many places still facing COVID-19 crises, or having limited vaccine programs, protesters calling themselves the Climate Action Network said it is wrong for the summit to go ahead.