Jan Strupczewski and Costas Pitas. Colin Packham.

ROME (Reuters) – Leaders of the 20 richest countries will recognise the existential threat of climate change, a draft communique seen by Reuters shows, as Pope Francis on Friday said the COP26 summit https://www.reuters.com/business/cop must give future generations “concrete hope” by matching words with deeds.

On Saturday and Sunday, the leaders of The Group of 20 will meet in Rome, before traveling to Glasgow, Scotland for the United Nations meeting. They pledge to urgently reduce global warming to 1.5° Celsius (2.7° Fahrenheit).

Although the 2015 Paris agreement was a landmark, it committed signatories that global warming would be kept to “well below” 2°C above preindustrial levels. Preferably, 1.5°C. However, atmospheric carbon levels have increased.

“We pledge to address the existential problem of climate change,” reads the G20 draft. It is possible that it will be amended as more people demonstrate their willingness to act on political issues.

“We recognize that 1.5 degree climate change will have a much smaller impact than 2 degrees. We must take immediate actions to preserve 1.5 degrees.”

U.S. President Joe Biden will meet his G20 counterparts following a failure by the House of Representatives to pass a vote for the $1 trillion infrastructure bill. It would have been the most significant investment in climate action made in U.S. History.

Biden originally hoped for an agreement to be reached before COP26. He wants to send a message to the United States that they have resumed their fight against global warming.

Pope Francis also joined the call for action during COP26. It runs from Oct. 31 through Nov. 12. Pope Francis said that future generations must have “concrete hope,” and that the leaders of the political world should show them they are making the necessary radical moves.

Following surgery last year, the 84 years-old pope decided not to travel to COP26. However, he called for a revival of a sense of collective responsibility for the world and encouraged action.

He stated that these crises require us to make difficult decisions and that they are sometimes not easy.

Boris Johnson (British Prime Minister), is the host of the event. He said this week that the outcome at COP26 remains in doubt.

SURVIVAL MATTER

G20 members, who account for 80% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, stated that they recognize “the crucial relevance” of reaching global net zero or carbon neutrality in 2050.

The countries at the forefront in fighting climate change, as well as rising seas need to take immediate action.

It is urgent that we take action immediately. We can’t wait to 2050. This is our survival.” Anote Tong (a former President of Kiribati, twice nominated in the Nobel Peace Prize) said.

UN experts on climate say that a deadline of 2050 is essential to reach the 1.5 degree limit. However, some of the biggest polluters in the world say they can’t meet it. China, the largest carbon emitter worldwide, has set a target for 2060.

The G20 draft communique shows the date 2050 in brackets. This indicates that it remains subject to negotiation.

According to a UN report, the world is on pace for a 2.7C increase in temperature this century due to current commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Tong predicted that the country, which has 33 atolls as well as islands only metres from sea level, would soon be uninhabitable. Pacific Island leaders declared they will demand action in Glasgow immediately, and a first focus on G20 members on major changes.

Henry Puna (ex-prime minister of Cook Islands and secretary to the Pacific Islands Forum) said that a strong commitment from the G20 Rome Summit would pave the path for an ambitious, successful COP26.

Puna stated, “We cannot afford the luxury of time. We must unite urgently to deliver the necessary ambitions at COP26 for the protection of the future of all humans and our planet.”