What is COP27 and why is it important?
World leaders are discussing action to tackle climate change at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt. It follows a year of climate-related disasters and broken temperature records. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is attending, having previously said he would not. United Nations (UN) climate summits are held every year, for governments to agree steps to limit global temperature rises. They are referred to as COPs, which stands for "Conference of the Parties". The parties are the attending countries that signed up to the original UN climate agreement in 1992. COP27 is the 27th annual UN meeting on climate. It is taking place in Sharm el-Sheikh until 18 November . The world is warming because of emissions produced by humans, mostly from burning fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal. Global temperatures have risen 1.1C and are heading towards 1.5C, according to the UN's climate scientists, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). If temperatures rise 1.7 to 1.8C above 1850s levels, the IPCC estimates that half the word's population could be exposed to life-threatening heat and humidity. To prevent this, 194 countries signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, pledging to "pursue efforts" to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C. More than 200 governments have been invited. In a speech on Monday Mr Sunak is set to urge world leaders at COP27 to move "further and faster" in transitioning to renewable energy. He will say Russia's invasion of Ukraine "reinforced" the importance of ending dependence on fossil fuels. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also going, but King Charles will not be there, following government advice. However, he held a pre-conference reception at Buckingham Palace . Vladimir Putin is not due to go, although Russian delegates are still expected to take part. Other countries, including China, have not confirmed whether their leaders will attend. Hosts Egypt called on countries to put their differences aside and "show leadership" on the issue of climate change. Environmental charities, community groups, think tanks, businesses and faith groups will also take part. The conference is taking place in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. This will be the fifth time a COP has been hosted in Africa. The region's governments hope it will draw attention to the severe impacts of climate change on the continent. The IPCC says Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world. Currently, 20 million people are estimated to be facing food insecurity in east Africa because of drought. However, choosing Egypt as the venue has attracted controversy. Some human rights and climate campaigners say the government has stopped them attending because they have criticised its rights record. Ahead of the meeting, countries were asked to submit ambitious national climate plans. Only 25 have done so to date. COP27 will focus on three main areas: Some areas not fully resolved or covered at COP26 will be picked up: There will also be themed days on issues including gender, agriculture and biodiversity. Finance has been long been an issue at climate talks. In 2009, developed countries committed to give $100bn (88bn) a year, by 2020, to developing countries to help them reduce emissions and prepare for climate change. The target was missed and moved back to 2023. But developing nations are also calling for payments for "loss and damage" - the impacts faced now. An option for making such payments was excluded from the Bonn climate talks , after pushback from wealthier nations who feared they would be forced to pay compensation for decades. But the EU agreed that discussions should take place at COP27. It depends who you ask. Following intense negotiations, the issue of loss and damage payments is on the official agenda of COP27. Developing countries will also be pushing to have a date set for when they might start to receive payments. Developed nations will be looking for more commitment from large developing countries - such as China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa - to move away from coal, the dirtiest of the fossil fuels. There are also pledges from last year's meeting - on forests, coal, and methane - that more countries may support. However, some scientists believe world leaders have left it too late and no matter what is agreed at COP27, 1.5C will not be achieved. Climate activist Greta Thunberg is among the list of those who will not attend. She recently described the global summit as a forum for "greenwashing", saying the COP conferences "encourage gradual progress". Earlier in October she told the BBC's media editor Amol Rajan in an interview : "I'm not needed there... there will be other people who will attend, from the most affected areas. And I think that their voice there is more important." Top image from Reuters. Climate stripes visualisation courtesy of Prof Ed Hawkins and University of Reading. A really simple guide to climate change Race against time to save Morocco quake survivors US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language How Russia and West agreed on Ukraine G20 language US denies Cold War with China in historic Vietnam visit 'Everyone in this village is either dead or missing' At the scene of Morocco mosque collapsed by quake. Video At the scene of Morocco mosque collapsed by quake Inside the horror of Europe's biggest wildfire Inside a 'hijacked' South African building. Video Inside a 'hijacked' South African building How chronic pain feels for me. Video How chronic pain feels for me The rise and fall of a parenting influencer Guyana scrambles to make the most of oil wealth Florida's first hurricane-proof town The greatest spy novel ever written? Why is everyone crazy about Aperol? 2023 BBC.