You're listening to Intelligent Squared, COP26, the gathering of world leaders looking

to combat climate change, takes place over the next two weeks.

Here at Intelligent Squared, we'll be taking this as an opportunity to explore some of

the debates, big and small, surrounding the climate emergency.

You can catch our Sunday debate on the opening day this weekend, which asks, is COP26

a turning point for the planet?

But first up, a quick primer on what COP actually is, why it matters and whether superpowers,

which is China, the United States, and the European Union, could be doing more to help.

Here's the economist Lindy U with more.

Over the next 12 days, world leaders, strategist campaigners, and a few global multinationals

too, are set to descend on Glasgow and Scotland for COP26, the world's most prominent global

summit that seeks to address the climate crisis.

The guess list is as significant for those who haven't turned up as it is for those who

have.

These leaders Xi Jinping won't be there, and neither will Russia's Vladimir Putin.

Two seats at the table who jointly account for a third of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

But US President Joe Biden will be appearing, more on that later.

Joining us to talk through it all is Isabelle Hilton.

She's founder of China Dialogue, a journalist and climate specialist who has been awarded

an OBE for services promoting environmental awareness in China.

We're also joined by Akshaut Rathi, climate and energy reporter at Bloomberg News,

in warm welcome to you both.

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