Xi will not attend COP26 in person: The Times

The COP 26 climate summit in Glasgow may be short of one very important guest when it gets underway on October 31st.

Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Britain's The Times newspaper quoted an unidentified British source as saying the Chinese president won't be there in person.

Quote: "It is now pretty clear that Xi is not going to turn up," and that prime minister is aware. The source is is said to have added, "What we don’t know is what stance the Chinese are going to take."

The Times said British organizers fear that Xi's decision to stay away could foreshadow China refusing to set new climate change goals.

The Chinese embassy in London could not be reached for immediate comment.

Meantime, Queen Elizabeth was overheard saying that she's irritated by world leaders who talk about climate change but then do very little or nothing to address the crisis.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed on Friday that he would attend the summit, after saying earlier that he was unsure whether he would travel to Glasgow because of the COVID-19 situation.

"Overnight I confirmed my attendance at the Glasgow Summit which I'm looking forward to attending. It's an important event. The government will be finalising its position for me to take to that summit prior to my departure over the next fortnight.''

While many countries have pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, Australia, which is one of the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases per capita, has declined to firm up its targets.