Why Johnson sounds pessimistic about Cop26

The Prime Minister has touched down in New York for the UN General Assembly where he hopes to press countries on committing funds for the Cop26 climate talks. Ahead of the summit, Boris Johnson has urged wealthier countries to contribute to a £100 billion a year funding target aimed at helping developing nations to cut carbon emissions. That commitment is viewed as key to getting the ball rolling when the negotiations get underway at the summit in Glasgow in November. 

But things aren’t going to plan. Speaking to hacks on the trip, Johnson said it would be a stretch to get the money all there during his trip. That’s not such a surprise – but more strikingly, he said the chances of sorting it before Cop26 were ‘six in ten’. Part of the issue is that the US is seen to be under-delivering. While Johnson will meet Joe Biden one-on-one this week, there are many other things he plans to use the opportunity to push for, including easing travel restrictions for UK visitors to the US.