UK's Cop26 president calls for world to get on track to hit net zero by 2050

Alok Sharma sets out UK's aims as host of climate talks, including new emissions targets for 2030

• Time is running short - but we can get a grip on the climate crisis

The world must be put on a path to reaching net zero by 2050 if the goal of holding global temperature rises below 1.5C is to be kept within reach, the UK host of this year's climate talks has said.

Alok Sharma, the president of the UN Cop26 climate summit, said that for the talks in Glasgow in November to be judged a success, governments must urgently set out their targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade including announcing an end to new coal power plants and commitments to phase out existing ones. Sharma is also urging countries to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles.