COP26 latest: Over 100 countries sign pledge to cut methane emissions by 30%

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After an opening day marked by "doomsday" rhetoric, it's time for action at COP26.

More than 100 countries, including EU nations, have just announced a new plan to curb methane emissions by 30%.

Several other major deals are being signed on Tuesday, notably an agreement by more than 100 world leaders to end deforestation by 2030.

If you weren't able to follow along yesterday, here are the 5 key takeouts from day 1.

Here is what you need to know as crucial climate talks enter their second day:

• The world leaders' summit concludes today. After outlining their national commitments and setting out broad outlines of agreements, they will let diplomats and other government officials hammer out the details.
• The British presidency is facing criticism about accessibility and inclusiveness at the conference. Civil society groups have complained of "unprecedented restrictions" to negotiations, while an Israeli minister using a wheelchair was unable to access the summit yesterday.
• A delegation of 12 mayors from some of the world's major cities have called for action to tackle climate change as they travelled to Glasgow for the COP26 summit.

Follow our live updates here:

11.02.2021

18:43

As leaders leave COP26 the 'eyes of the world' are on negotiators

After two days of talks, negotiators will take over from world leaders to work out the details of each country's climate pledges. 

"The clock on the doomsday device that I talked about is still ticking but we've got a bomb disposal team on-site and they are starting to snip the wires," said UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

He concluded with this message to negotiators: "the leaders of the world may have left COP now but the eyes of the world...are on you."

11.02.2021

18:33

READ: ‘Deeply unfair’ to blame climate crisis on India and China, campaigners say

‘Deeply unfair’ to blame climate crisis on India and China, campaigners say

The UK’s historic emissions per capita are 20 times higher than India’s, campaigners point out after Modi's 2070 net-zero pledge.

11.02.2021

18:26

UK PM 'cautiously optimistic' at the end of World Leader's Summit

Addressing the Glasgow conference at the close of day two, Johnson warned that despite today's announcements, "we must take care to guard against false hope and not to think in any way that the job is done."

Johnson said that it was easy to get caught up in a mood of "exaggerated enthusiasm" and there was still a "very long way to go." 

But he added that he was "cautiously optimistic", referencing the major pledges made today after two days of talks with 120 world leaders. 

On the issues of "coal, cars, cash and trees" the UK Prime Minister believes that "we can certainly begin to tick three of those boxes."

11.02.2021

17:51

Prince William welcomes Earthshot Prize winners to COP26

The Duke of Cambridge said he had "immense pride" for the winners and finalists of the first Earthshot Prize.

The new annual award was set up by the Duke to recognise those making efforts to save the planet. 

Among the winners were Costa Rica, for protecting and restoring nature, and Milan for its food waste hubs. 

He said that the prize had helped give people “much-needed optimism and hope that we can indeed repair our planet.”

11.02.2021

17:07

READ: Colombia commits to protecting 30% of its land 8 years ahead of schedule

Colombia commits to protecting 30% of its land by 2022 - 8 years ahead of schedule

President Duque said that one of the most important objectives was to back this pledge with green finance. 

11.02.2021

16:33

World leaders agree plan to boost uptake of clean energy

An initiative to speed up the adoption of clean energy has been launched by the UK Prime Minister and representatives from the US, EU, India.

Known as the Glasgow Breakthrough Agenda, it has been backed by more than 40 world leaders. 

It will focus first on five high carbon industries: steel, agriculture, road transport, hydrogen and electricity. Together these sectors represent more than half of total global emissions. 

The aim is to "make clean technologies the most affordable, accessible and attractive choice" in the most polluting sectors by 2030. 

11.02.2021

16:20

US, UAE announce $4bn investment in climate-smart agriculture

The US and the UAE announced on Tuesday the launch of “AIM for Climate” at COP 26, a $4 billion investment programme in climate-smart agriculture and food systems over the next five years.

The initiative has the support of over 30 governments, the AIM for climate press release said.

11.02.2021

16:09

US, EU to fund renewable energy plan in South Africa 

The United States and several European countries plan to provide funds and expertise to help South Africa ditch coal and roll out more renewable energy.

German officials said South Africa will receive about $8.5 billion in loans and grants over five years to manage the country's transition away from coal-fired power plants, which are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

South Africa gets about 90% of its electricity from coal-fired plants.

With AP

11.02.2021

15:54

READ:Jeff Bezos pledges $2 billion for climate action by 2030, as Amazon's carbon footprint grows

Jeff Bezos pledges €1.7 billion to 'restore nature' at COP26

The Amazon founder told delegates in Glasgow his trip to space showed him how "fragile" the natural world is.

11.02.2021

15:46

COP26 methane pledges 'falling short', says climate campaigner

After over 100 countries pledged to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030, a climate activist said in a written statement sent to Euronews that such commitments were good but not enough. 

“World leaders are right to target methane emissions but today’s announcement falls short of the 45% reduction that the UN says is necessary to keep global warming below 1.5C,” said Murray Worthy, Gas Campaign Leader at Global Witness. 

“The single most effective way of stopping methane emissions is also incredibly simple - phase out the use of climate-wrecking fossil fuels,” he added.