SCOTLAND’S First Minister has urged Boris Johnson to commit to holding a four-nations meeting on climate action ahead of November’s UN COP26 summit in Glasgow.

Nicola Sturgeon wrote to the Prime Minister on the climate following the new report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published this week, warning we face “code red for humanity”.

The UN’s summary report was released following its approval by representatives of 195 governments, who now face pressure to take more action to cut emissions in the run-up to COP26.

It makes clear that human-caused climate change, which has pushed up global temperatures by 1.1C, is driving weather and climate extremes in every region across the world.

The report also claimed that global warming could even exceed 2C in this century without urgent action.

Scotland’s Net-Zero Secretary has said that COP26 is now the world’s best chance of averting disaster.

But according to Politico, Downing Street insiders fear Johnson is unprepared for the event. While his role involves directing efforts to reach a deal similar to the Paris Accord in Glasgow, civil servants are nervous that he is leaving things until the last minute.

“COP will likely get his attention in October, even if it’s too late,” said one UK Government official.

Writing to Johnson today, Sturgeon sought to make clear the importance of the issue.

“Scotland is proud to be at the forefront of global efforts to achieve the aims of the UN Paris Agreement,” she told the Tory leader. “We have legally binding targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2045 at the latest, with a world-leading interim 2030 target of a 74% reduction.”

She went on: “Climate change is an inherently global issue and can only be addressed through co-ordinated international effort and working with others. COP26 in Glasgow therefore represents the world’s best chance – perhaps our last chance – to avert the worst impacts of climate change. This week’s IPCC report could not be clearer.”

The First Minister says she therefore suggests holding a UK four nations summit “in early course” to discuss working together towards a greener future. This should be held in the run-up to COP26 and afterwards, she said.

“This would allow us to discuss our respective plans for achieving a just transition to net-zero and, in that context, how we can accelerate the development of renewable and low-carbon sources of energy, with consequential benefits to our own industries and supply chains. I hope we are agreed that a just transition to net-zero is essential. I would be grateful for your early consideration of and, I hope, agreement to such a summit.”

In the letter, Sturgeon also urged the Prime Minister to “reassess” the licence for the proposed Cambo oil field near Shetland in her first public intervention on the controversial issue.