Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been accused of undermining the Cop26 president Alok Sharma. Dan Kitwood / Getty Images
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been accused of undermining the Cop26 president Alok Sharma. Dan Kitwood / Getty Images
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been accused of undermining the Cop26 president Alok Sharma. Dan Kitwood / Getty Images
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been accused of undermining the Cop26 president Alok Sharma. Dan Kitwood / Getty Images

Cop26: Boris Johnson accused of undermining climate president at 'every turn'


Nicky Harley
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The Cop26 president is being “undermined at every turn” by Boris Johnson, Glasgow’s council leader has said.

Addressing the SNP conference, Susan Aitken accused the prime minister of only being interested in environmental projects for “wacky photo" opportunities.

The SNP councillor said she believed the Conservative minister responsible for Cop26, Alok Sharma, was working hard to secure an agreement to tackle the climate emergency at next month’s conference in Glasgow, but was being hindered by Mr Johnson.

COP26 President Alok Sharma at Whitelee Windfarm, Glasgow, Scotland. Reuters / Russell Cheyne / Pool / File Photo
COP26 President Alok Sharma at Whitelee Windfarm, Glasgow, Scotland. Reuters / Russell Cheyne / Pool / File Photo

“Cop26 President Alok Sharma is, I believe, doing his level best to secure a Glasgow agreement worthy of the name, but he’s undermined at every turn by his party leader who’s only really interested in green infrastructure as something to stick a union flag on and pose beside for a wacky photo op," she said.

“But Glasgow, Scotland and the SNP can lead the way, and Cop26 can give us a pivotal moment to do so.

“We know what the prize is: clean air, local food security, an end to fuel poverty, better, cheaper public transport, green spaces for all and sustainable high-value skills and jobs in a resilient modern economy.”

The UK is hosting the Cop26 climate summit in November in Glasgow.

Ms Aitken said it will showcase Scotland's work to the world.

“We still have an incredible opportunity to put Glasgow and Scotland in the global front window for sustainability, to showcase not only our climate ambition but also our practical plans to lead the world and delivering a just transition to zero-carbon economy and society," she said.

“Scotland’s climate action, ambitions and policy agenda, our growing international reputation for business and technological innovation, the challenges from our past that we’re overcoming, our incredible wealth of natural assets, I don’t think any other region on Earth has such a platform to showcase ourselves and our ambitions, this year, as Scotland does.”

The council leader said an early estimate of the cost to decarbonise Glasgow was £30 billion.

“We need to be clear that this is not only necessary, it’s worth it," she said.

“Not only because if we don’t respond to the climate emergency now, the cost later, and not just the financial cost, will be so much higher.

“But also because we understand that, done well, every pound spent on these interventions will also deliver multiple benefits for Scotland’s people and communities.”

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'THE WORST THING YOU CAN EAT'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

Updated: September 11, 2021, 1:19 PM`