Johnson, CoP26 a breakthrough, coal sentenced to death

The agreement that closed the UN climate conference in Glasgow under the British presidency (CoP26) was "truly historic", despite the compromises required to obtain the approval of 197 states.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said this in a press conference in Downing Street with CoP26 president Alok Sharma next to him.

Johnson talked about a deal that may be the start of "that tipping point the world needed to see" and that keeps the 1.5-degree global warming target alive.

He then added that coal is still "sentenced to death". 

CoP26 in Glasgow was overall a success and produced a historic agreement, but "tinged with disappointment" due to the watering down of the final text on reducing (not eliminating) coal and other points.

This was admitted by Boris Johnson, on behalf of the British presidency, at a briefing in Downing Street.

Moreover, the premier noted that the host country can do a work of "persuasion", not "force sovereign states".

He added that global warming remains largely "excessive" and warned that it is now the "total" responsibility of the government to comply with emissions commitments.