Most of the 25,000 delegates in attendance arrived this Monday.
The long lines to access the COP26 venue in the Scottish city of Glasgow and the delay in political appearances mark the opening day of the UN climate summit, in which world leaders try to agree on a plan to limit global warming to 1.5ºC.
Although the meeting officially began on Sunday at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), the majority of the 25,000 delegates in attendance arrived this Monday, at the beginning of a two-day meeting between heads of State and Government that should mark the political agenda, after which negotiations will continue until November 12.
This meant that very long lines and crowds began to form early in the morning at the access doors to the convention center.
Some journalists, observers or national representatives had to wait more than two hours to pass security checks, which include presenting a negative covid test.
Asked by journalists, a British government spokesman declined to apologize for the chaotic situation and insisted that it is the United Nations that sets the entry requirements in collaboration with “the operational staff” of COP26, which is chairing the United Kingdom.
Today’s hardships add to transportation problems for some delegates who were stranded at London’s Euston station on Sunday after train service to Glasgow was suspended after a tree fell on the tracks.
Another stumbling block at this summit has been finding accommodation and the lack of hotel rooms has meant that attendees have had to rent apartments and private homes at astronomical prices. (I)
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