"Cop26 legitimacy questioned as groups excluded from crucial talks", 08 Nov 2021

The legitimacy of the Cop26 climate summit has been called into question by civil society participants who say restrictions on access to negotiations are unprecedented and unjust. As the Glasgow summit enters its second week, observers representing hundreds of environmental, academic, climate justice, indigenous and women’s rights organisations warn that excluding them from negotiating areas and speaking to negotiators could have dire consequences for millions of people. Observers act as informal watchdogs of the summit... But their ability to observe, interact and intervene in negotiations on carbon markets, loss and damage and climate financing has been obstructed during the first week... [T]here is a shocking degree of closing space for civil society and frontline voices … it is offensive, unjust and unacceptable,” said [Gina] Cortes [of the the Women and Gender Constituency]... about two-thirds of civil society organisations who usually send delegates to Cop have not travelled to Glasgow due to “vaccine apartheid”, changing travel rules, extortionate travel costs and Britain’s hostile immigration system...