Environmental groups have slammed the deal agreed by countries at COP26 to combat climate change as not going ‘nearly far enough’ and being too reliant on future technologies instead of taking action now.

Boris Johnson has said the COP26 agreement “sounded the death knell for coal power”, but admitted the deal made at the Glasgow summit is “tinged with disappointment”.

The Prime Minister described the agreement as “truly historic” and “game-changing” but acknowledged not all countries were willing to meet the level of ambition required to tackle climate change.

The Daily Echo spoke to environmental groups Transition Southampton and AXO Southampton about their thoughts on the deal agreed by countries at COP26.

Co-Chair of Transition Southampton Mark Hancock said: “It's better to have a deal than not. It's good in parts but does not go nearly far enough. If national commitments are not made much stronger in the next few years, these will prove to be disastrously too small and too late, destroying millions of lives with flooding, heat, drought & storms. Grand long-term commitments sound fine - but serious intent would be shown by acting strongly now. It's an emergency after all!

“We'd hoped to hear of immediate strategies to reach targets. We know enough of what we need to do today without waiting for tomorrow's unproven technologies.

“Disappointing that despite the wealthy countries being responsible for nearly all the climate damage only $100million, less than a tenth of what is needed, was offered to developing countries suffering from worst effects. Some progress was made by including coal but weasel words - 'phasing down' coal not 'phasing out', are a massive get-out. Likewise, the huge current subsidies for fossil fuels are to be stopped but only 'when inefficient'. It's great that governments agreed to stop deforestation and methane emissions, but we need to see the commitments not just made but honoured. Let's see that they do.

“It's very good that leaders have agreed to meet yearly to step up commitments. Let's hold them to it!” Mark concluded.

AXO Southampton also said: “We are concerned that there are no clear strategies for meeting the promises made at COP, and that the focus on 'net zero' means relying on future technological fixes that may never deliver, whereas we need to take significant action right now. This is exactly what's happening with aviation: allowing it to expand now when we already know that called sustainable aviation fuels will only replace at best a small percentage of flights by 2050, and at worst will cause considerable pollution from their production.”