Photo taken on Sept. 21, 2019 shows the United Nations Youth Climate Summit held at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 21, 2019. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday said he saw a change in the momentum of global climate action thanks to the ongoing youth movement. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

Britain started hosting climate and environment ministers from 51 countries on Sunday for "critical" climate talks ahead of November's COP26 summit in Glasgow.

British minister Alok Sharma, president of COP26, is leading the two-day meeting, which London said will address "key issues that require resolution" at the summit.

Sharma "hopes to build common ground and sketch the outline of the Glasgow outcome," according to a statement released by the British government.

Environment and climate ministers from the US, India and China are among those taking part in the closed-door meeting, which includes both virtual and in-person attendance.

"We are facing perilous times for our planet and the only way we will safeguard its future is if countries are on the same path," said Sharma.

"It is essential that together we roll up our sleeves, find common ground and collectively draw out how we will build a greener, brighter future for our children and future generations."

The event will cover the goal of keeping to the 1.5 C temperature rise limit, exploring topics such as climate finance, efforts to adapt to climate change, and finalizing the "rule book" for implementation of the Paris Agreement. 

Negotiators from 196 countries, along with businesses, experts and world leaders are expected to attend. 

US climate envoy John Kerry said this week that the summit marked a "pivotal moment for the world to come together to meet and master the climate challenge. "Glasgow is the place, 2021 is the time and we can, in a little more than 100 days, save the next 100 years.

"Above all we need to provide action, and we need to do it now, because time is running out," he added. 

AFP