Chinese President Xi Jinping is unlikely to attend the COP26 summit in Glasgow in person in November, according to reports in the British press. Mr Xi is thought not to have left China since early 2020, for fear of contracting COVID-19, meaning his attendance at the summit has long been in doubt, although he has appeared at international summits via video link at various times. His attendance in person at the summit has not been completely ruled out, however, with its high importance a reason why he may in the end travel.

Meanwhile, his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced he will attend the summit, an important marker given that India is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases that has not yet announced a net-zero target. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who had last month expressed doubt about his attendance at the summit, has also now confirmed that he will attend, after strong domestic and international pressure – including the urging of Prince Charles. In addition, it is looking more and more likely that Mr Morrison will finally make a 2050 net-zero pledge for Australia at the summit, bringing the country up to speed with much of the rest of the world.