Climate change summit aims to cut carbon emissions - and energy bills

Climate change summit aims to cut carbon emissions - and energy bills More than 100,000 delegates from 197 countries are in Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast, to chew over climate finance, transitioning away from fossil fuels and strengthening action on emissions Global climate chiefs vowed this year's COP summit in Turkey would be more than a talking shop - and would focus on practical measures. More than 100,000 delegates from 197 countries are in Antalya, on the Mediterranean coast, to chew over climate finance, transitioning away from fossil fuels and strengthening action on emissions. "Our decisions must take shape in a city's infrastructure," President-delegate Murat Kurum said in his opening statement. On a farmer's land and along a factory's production line. Families must feel their impact in lower energy bills." UK Government representatives are attending the conference, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to visit Antalya in the week. A delegation of US State Governors and members of Congress are here too, though the US Government does not have an official presence at COP the second year in a row. There is a sense of acute urgency at this year's summit, which comes just weeks after devastating flash floods in Nepal and Tibet led to at least 1,498 deaths, with many thousands more missing. Scientists believe climate change probably increased the likelihood of the disaster. Simon Steill, the United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary, said: "The urgency of this moment must drive us forward. Global heating is already costing the Earth. Appalling tragedy has hit the Himalayas, adding to the ever-expanding catalogue hitting communities across every region. "A monster El Niño is piling fuel on the climate fire that's already burning through communities and economies everywhere. The vulnerable everywhere pay the highest price -- underscored by the Pre-COP in Fiji, in partnership with Australia and Pacific islands." He added: "Meanwhile, this year's fossil fuel cost chaos has delivered a global shockwave, hitting households hard and spreading inflation like a cancer. The fall-out has been severe, both economically and politically, as we've just seen. "But the solutions are clear: Global renewables saved around half a trillion dollars last year. And another $265 billion in the first half of this year alone."