THE upcoming COP26 conference will be the international community’s “best chance” to tackle climate change, Nicola Sturgeon has said.

Scotland is due to host a summit of world leaders later this year, described as the most important gathering on climate change since the Paris Agreement in 2015.

Speaking at an event called International Race to Zero yesterday, hosted by Scottish businesses, the First Minister announced an international group would be set up to help state and regional governments move to a net-zero emission policy. She also said a new investment plan to help Scotland reach net zero will be launched later this month.

She said: “The decisions made at COP26 affect the prosperity, health, and wellbeing of all of us.

“We all have a responsibility to deliver a safe and secure conference. But above all, we have a responsibility to lead by example. As one of the nations which led the world into the industrial age, we want this year, to help to lead the world into the net-zero age.

“COP26 is our best, perhaps only, chance to address it. Scotland, as a responsible global citizen, will do everything we can to play our part.”