COP26: Backed by China, India forces amendment in coal policy as countries sign climate pact

Almost 200 nations accepted a compromise deal on the final day of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow aimed at keeping a key global warming target alive, but it contained a last-minute change that watered down crucial language about coal.

Several countries, including small island states, said they were deeply disappointed by the change promoted by India to “phase down,” rather than “phase out” coal power, the single biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions.

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India, China and several developing countries, including Iran, Venezuela and Cuba, objected to this provision that called upon countries to accelerate “efforts towards the phase-out of unabated coal power and inefficient fossil fuel subsidies”.

India argued that developing countries have a right to their fair share of the global carbon budget and are entitled to the responsible use of fossil fuels within this scope