COP26: Ellie Goulding and Emma Watson join call for climate talks change

Four hundred women – including a host of female stars – have signed an open letter to the UK government calling for more women in “decision-making roles” at a global climate summit next year.

BBC reports that one woman has so far been appointed to the UK’s four-person leadership team for the UN’s COP26 summit, in Glasgow.

A letter, signed by actress Emma Watson and singer Ellie Goulding, says the gender balance was “incomprehensible”.

The government says it is committed to diversity.

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The UK is hosting COP26, a UN climate change summit, in November 2021. It was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic but is seen as a crucial moment for global leaders to agree on further action to tackle climate change.

Conservative MP Marie Treveylan has been appointed as the COP26 adaptation and resilience champion.

She will work alongside her all-male colleagues, COP26 president Alok Sharma, businessman Nigel Topping and former governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney.

But the letter, addressed to Mr Johnson and Mr Sharma, calls for the UK government to guarantee 50:50 gender balance at the leadership level.

It has also been signed by Hollywood actress Emma Thompson, MP Caroline Lucas, and Google’s Kate Brandt.