Nicola Sturgeon: 'World leaders must take meaningful steps at COP27'

World leaders at COP27 must take “meaningful steps” to deliver on the promises made in Glasgow last year, Nicola Sturgeon has insisted.

The First Minister will travel to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt to attend the summit, which takes place over the next fortnight.

It is being held one year on from the summit in Scotland, which welcomed US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former US President Barack Obama and celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio among its attendees.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will travel to Egypt for the conference after U-turning on a decision not to go.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg has indicated that she will not take part in COP27, suggesting that the summits are being used as a forum for greenwashing.

Speaking as world leaders fly in to Egypt, Sturgeon underlined that the climate crisis has not gone away, amid global challenges such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“COP26 in Glasgow delivered real progress on tackling the climate crisis, with strengthened commitments to curb emissions, build resilience to climate change and provide the finance needed to reach net zero,” she said.

“World leaders must use the next two weeks to take meaningful steps to deliver on the promises made in the Glasgow Climate Pact.

“We are gathering against a tense backdrop and the geopolitical landscape has changed significantly in the last year, not least as a result of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

“However, the climate crisis has not gone away and the answer to many of the global crises we face, such as energy security and good shortages, lies in going faster.”

The First Minister set out the importance of developed nations to pledge finances to address loss and damage caused by the climate crisis in other countries.

She said: “For many countries, particularly in the global south, this must be the COP where the global north not only delivers on our promises to finance adaptation and mitigation, but recognises the need to address the loss and damage experienced by countries already impacted by climate change.

“Last year, Scotland became the first developed nation to pledge finance to address loss and damage and others have now followed suit, including Wallonia and Denmark.

“This shows just how important the action of smaller governments can be and I know many countries and campaigners hope to see other countries, particularly in the north, step up and make COP in Egypt the loss and damage COP.”