World leaders WILL meet face to face at Britain’s COP26 climate conference

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WORLD leaders will meet face to face at Britain’s COP26 climate conference, it will be announced tomorrow.

The decision not to opt for a virtual gathering will be confirmed in a speech by summit president Alok Sharma.

Alok Sharma is to confirm that world leaders will meet face to face at Britain’s COP26 climate conference

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It will be recognition of Britain’s successful vaccine rollout and a boost for Boris Johnson who was determined to keep it an in-person event.

It will, however, upset critics who said it would set a bad example by forcing delegates to fly in on polluting planes pumping out tons of carbon.

Mr Johnson wants to welcome leaders from across the globe to the showpiece in Glasgow.

Up to 30,000 people from nearly 200 countries are expected at November’s summit, seen as crucial to reversing climate change.

The PM will call on them to sign up to green goals to save the planet.

Critics said keeping it virtual would have saved £200million. But ministers have been reluctant to hold it on Zoom.

Insiders said leaders needed to “look into China’s eyes” to put pressure on Beijing to commit to ambitious promises ­— and this could only be done in person.

Boris Johnson was determined to keep it an in-person event

Tory MP Mr Sharma, who has been jetting around the world drumming up support for the UK’s green goals, will deliver his speech marking six months until the event at a wind farm near Glasgow tomorrow.

He will confirm it will be held in person as he hails Britain’s eco-revolution which is expected to create thousands of jobs.

Last night, Mr Johnson told business leaders it was down to them to help save the planet, adding: “Green is good.”