WATCH: US President Joe Biden speaks at Cop26
He spoke of a "decisive decade"
Last updated 11th Nov 2021
Joe Biden has arrived in Glasgow and gotten straight to work at Cop26.
The US President was flown into Edinburgh this morning before travelling with his motorcade along the M8 to Glasgow.
Following the opening ceremony of the global climate conference Biden took to the stage at the opening session of the gathering.
He spoke of climate change not being a "hypothetical threat".
Biden said: "Glasgow must be the kick-off of a decade of ambition and innovation to preserve our shared future.
"Climate change is already ravaging the world. It's not hypothetical. It's not a hypothetical threat. It is destroying people's lives and livelihoods, and doing it every single day."
He added that the "eye of history" is upon the meeting.
He continued by saying it's "not been the case" that the US has been "at the table" of combating climate change.
He told Cop26 his administration would commit to meeting a goal of reducing US admissions by 50% to 52% below 2005 levels by 2030.
He said this would "demonstrate to the world that the US is not only back at the table but will hopefully lead by the power of our example".
He added: "I know it hasn't been the case and that's why my administration is working overtime to show that our climate commitment is action and not words."
World leaders arrived today
Angela Merkel arrives at Cop26
Other prominent climate activists and leaders were taking part in negotiations. Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met young climate campaigners Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate and called on leaders to "put their egos aside" to work on the common issue of solving the climate crisis.
Boris Johnson waits to greet leaders at Cop26
Boris Johnson at the Cop26 Action and Solidarity session
Prince Charles and Joe Biden at Cop26
French president Emmanuel Macron at Cop26
Nicola Sturgeon at the Cop26 World Leaders Summit
Boris Johnson at Cop26
Concluding his speech, Biden said: "Let this be the moment when we answer history's call, here in Glasgow.
"Let this be the start of a decade of transformative action that preserves our planet and raises the quality of life for people everywhere.
"We can do this, we just have to make a choice to do it. So, let's get to work.
"Those of us who are responsible for much of the deforestation and all the problems we have so far have an overwhelming obligation to nations who, in fact, are not there and have not done it.
"We have to help much more than we have thus far."
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