China’s president Xi Jinping is yet to confirm whether he will attend the Cop26 climate conference in Glasgow later this year, Cabinet minister Alok Sharma has admitted.
However, Mr Sharma told the BBC on Sunday that he was “very hopeful” that the country would send a negotiating team to the talks, which are seen as being crucial for agreeing substantial action to tackle the climate crisis.
It came as Boris Johnson’s government was warned that the UK faces a “national security issue” over a sudden shortage of carbon dioxide (CO2) used by the food and drink industry, with the issue set to cause problems in the food supply chain.
Ranjit Singh Boparan, the owner of Bernard Matthews and 2 Sisters Food Group, warned on Saturday that there was potential for “massive food waste” across the country due to the shortage, which is linked to a spike in wholesale gas prices.
Meanwhile, an NHS leader has warned that operations could be put at risk due to the CO2 shortage if ministers fail to prioritise the health service in emergency talks.
