Activist's impassioned plea, UN chief on net zero

In an impassioned speech Thursday to the UN climate talks in Glasgow, Ugandan activist Vanessa Nakate summed up the fears of young people and vulnerable countries that those in charge won't take the action needed to prevent deadly levels of global warming.

"I hope you can understand why many of the activists who are here in Glasgow and millions of activists who could not be here do not see the success that is being applauded within these halls," Nakate told business and political leaders gathered at the two-week COP26 conference.

Experts say that all of the latest pledges made by governments around the world could, if fully realized, bend the curve of global warming below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) - the upper threshold set in the 2015 Paris accord.

But scenarios that look at what countries have committed to in the short term put warming at 2.7C (4.9F), far beyond levels science considers safe for human civilization.

"The truth is that the atmosphere doesn't care about commitments. It only cares about what we put into it or stop putting into it. Humanity will not be saved by promises," Nakate said.

"I'm actually here to beg you to prove us wrong," said Nakate. "We desperately need you to prove us wrong. Please prove us wrong. God, help us all. If you fail to prove us wrong, God help us."

Meanwhile UN chief Antonio Guterres announced on Thursday he will establish a "high-level expert group" to monitor net zero commitments from non-state actors.

Guterres said carbon cutting pledges "require rapid sustained emissions cuts this decade" before he welcomed the US-China agreement on climate cooperation announced Wednesday.

"But promises ring hollow when the fossil fuels industry still receives trillions (of US dollars) in subsidies," he said.