The COP26 conference in Glasgow began after the G20 countries did not agree to a 2050 target for stopping net carbon emissions. This target is seen as crucial in preventing severe global warming. The G20 meeting in Rome only acknowledged the importance of stopping net emissions by mid-century, did not set a timeline for phasing out coal domestically, and weakened commitments to reduce methane emissions. Greta Thunberg called out leaders for betraying the public and urged them to address the climate crisis immediately. Many leaders will be speaking in Glasgow on Monday to defend their climate change records and in some cases make new pledges at the beginning of two weeks of negotiations. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will emphasize the urgency of taking action now, stating that humanity has run out of time to address climate change. "If we do not address climate change seriously today, it will be too late for our children to address it tomorrow." However, disagreement among some of the largest emitters in the world on how to reduce coal, oil, and gas usage, and support developing countries in adapting to global warming, will only make the task more challenging. President Joe Biden of the United States specifically called out China and Russia, both of which are not sending their leaders to Glasgow, for not presenting any proposals to address climate change. Xi Jinping, the President of China, whose country is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, will deliver a written statement at the conference on Monday according to the official schedule. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will not be attending the COP26 conference in Glasgow due to Britain's failure to meet Ankara's security and protocol demands. The conference, delayed by a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels to avoid the most severe consequences. To achieve this goal, the conference needs more ambitious emissions reduction pledges, climate-related financing for developing countries, and finalized rules for implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement. Existing emissions reduction pledges would allow the planet's average surface temperature to rise by 2.7 degrees Celsius this century, intensifying the destructive impacts of climate change. Ugandan activist Evelyn Acham explained to La Stampa that Africa, while only contributing 3 percent of global emissions, is facing the most severe consequences of the climate crisis. She emphasized that Africans are not to blame for the crisis, but are still suffering from the effects of colonialism, which exploited the continent's resources for centuries. Acham stressed the importance of fair distribution of responsibilities. Following two days of speeches by world leaders, technical negotiations will take place, with a potential agreement not expected until close to or after the event's conclusion on November 12.