Speaking after Sanchez, the prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, tells COP that "we're in the midst of a climate crisis, we're in a season of superlatives."

The extreme weather events that the world is facing "daily" suggest that "humanity and the planet are hurtling towards catastrophe".

The situation requires a serious commitment at this COP to new collective quantified goals to reverse the current trajectory and fund mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage, and outlines her seven-point plan to make that happen.

Mottley also refers to Hurricane Beryl, which had devastating consequences on the small island, as among the extreme weather events causing damage across the globe.

Sanchez says that the first ones to suffer will be the middle and working classes, saying that's what happened in Spain in the city of Valencia that was particularly badly hit in the recent deadly flooding.

This is why we must help victims and ensure this doesn't happen again, he says.

Image source, Reuters

Sanchez continues by calling for "drastic measures" in the fallout from the flooding in Spain.

"We need to undergo decarbonisation, adapt our towns and infrastructure," he explains.

Sanchez stresses that the green agenda isn't about giving up growth, but doing so more responsibly.

"We can grow equitably and respect the planet"; he says, urging people not to listen to those who say this is impossible.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez says experts agree that the recent flooding in his country would have been less intense without the impacts of climate change.

The world is giving "increasingly loud signals," he says.

He says the threat is obvious to everyone, but that at this "crucial time" for humanity we are seeing many governments hesitate and slow down when they should be picking up the pace.

Some are even denying the problem and turning back, he says, adding "we cannot allow this to happen".

We're about to hear from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

His address to the conference follows recent flooding in Spain which killed more than 200 people.

Experts say that climate change contributed to the heavy rainfall that caused the floods.

Image source, Reuters

Mark Poynting
Climate and environment researcher

As part of the Paris Agreement, countries have until early next year to submit new emissions reduction targets for 2035.

By presenting its announcement early, the UK government hopes it will support its claims to global climate leadership, and will encourage other countries to be similarly ambitious with their plans.

As well as the UK, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Brazil have both announced new targets too.

"Encouragingly, these three nations’ new climate targets could put them on a path to reach net zero emissions by 2050 if their highest ambitions are realised," says Melanie Robinson of the World Resources Institute.

Image source, Reuters

Next up is the vice-president of Brazil, a country very much on the spotlight at this year's climate talks as it prepares to take on hosting duties next year, as COP30 heads to Brazil.

Geraldo Alckmin begins his speech by recognising his country’s role as an "environmental powerhouse", citing its rainforests and food production as key factors.

Turning to climate policy, Alckmin says Brazil is implementing a plan that will serve as a guide to climate policy until 2035.

He goes into more detail about the country’s NDC (nationally determined contribution), which he says aims to reduce Brazil’s emissions by "up to 67%" by 2035, compared to the year of 2005.

Alckmin says this target is “ambitious but feasible” for a country determined to be a "protagonist" in advancing a global green agenda.

The vice-president finishes his speech by looking ahead: "Failure to act now will cost us dearly later."

"On behalf of President Lula, I hope to see you next year in Brazil".

Matt McGrath
Environment correspondent in Baku

As part of the Paris climate agreement, countries agreed to develop a new cash target for developing nations by 2025 – and that means thrashing out a deal here in Baku.

The expectation is that this new goal would be a significant uptick on the previous promise of $100bn (£77bn) a year to help poorer countries cut their carbon emissions and adapt to the worst impacts of rising temperatures.

But here in Baku there are massive gaps between what developing countries say they need and what richer nations say they can provide.

African countries and small island states want to see climate finance reach over $1tn by 2030. Diplomats from richer countries say that kind of major ramp up will need a major expansion of the donor base.

They will be looking to China and the Gulf States to cough up – a move that will be fiercely resisted because despite their wealth the group of countries are classed as developing nations. Expect a drawn out fight - with big implications for the success or failure of this meeting.

No money means developing countries won't be able to lodge ambitious new carbon cutting plans by next Spring- when fresh nationally agreed climate targets are due. If that doesn’t happen, then reining in rising temperatures will get much, much harder.

Image source, Reuters

We've just heard from Moldova's President,Maia Sandu, who says her country "exemplifies the injustice of climate change", as she tells other world leaders Moldova contributes just 0.03% of global emission but are Europe's most vulnerable nation to climate impacts.

She says there is an urgent need for an "equitable, accessible climate finance system" that prioritises vulnerable nations.

Moldova is doing its part to address climate change, she says, but adds: "It’s only fair that we count on support from major economies."

Image source, Reuters

We’re hearing now from more world leaders on how their countries are addressing climate change.

Ethiopia will direct 1% of its national budget to green initiatives, the country's President Taye Atseke Selassie Amde says.

But, he says that the debate around climate change has become “overly complex” and adds that change is “painstakingly” slow.

Shortly afterwards, Lt-Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of state in Sudan, praised the efforts of African countries towards addressing climate change.

He says it is essential for the Paris Agreement to be respected and adds that his government is striving to meet green targets despite the pressures of ongoing war in his country.

We've been listening in as world leaders speak on behalf of their countries at the COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan's capital. Many are urging cooperation as a key to addressing the crisis.

Finland's Alexander Stubbtells fellow world leaders that "climate change is a litmus test for multilateralism".

While Bosnia and Herzegovina's Denis Bećirović says "one of the biggest obstacles to climate solutions is state-egoism".

Image source, Reuters

Esme Stallard
Climate reporter in Baku

Elsewhere at the conference, we are hearing from world leaders about the climate issues facing their nations.

Perhaps the most striking has been from the president of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine.

The island nation is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Its group of coral atolls and islands are no more than 2m above sea level. If global temperatures rise to 2C there is a real and imminent threat that her country will cease to exist.

Image source, Getty Images

Heine says her country had a plan to protect itself, but notes it requires money.

"We can no longer afford to be unrealistic about the cost of the crisis, which we all know is in the trillions of dollars a year," she says.

Negotiations on the exact amount that richer nations might give will happen over the next two weeks, but we expect them to be wary of committing to such a figure.

But Heine was clear: "Whoever is here to fight ... is no friend to islands like mine."

Earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was pressed on what his ambitious emissions target to tackle global warming means for people in the UK.

In response to a question from the BBC's Alex Forsyth on the potential cost, Starmer reiterated that the government will not start telling people "how to live their lives" but they will make sure to have clean power by 2030.

Mark Poynting
Climate and environment researcher

Yes, and no.

The UK has two sets of targets: international and domestic.

Under its international obligations, the UK has to submit new emissions reduction targets every five years, known as “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs).

The aim is to ensure countries increase their targets over time, and can be held accountable on the global stage.

The UK’s existing NDC was a 68% emissions cut by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. So an 81% cut by 2035 is new, and more ambitious.

But the UK also has legally-binding domestic targets on its path to net zero emissions by 2050.

These are set in five-year chunks, known as “carbon budgets”.

Its carbon budget for the period 2033-2037 had already been set.

And while there are slight technical differences in how they are measured, today’s announcement is consistent with that carbon budget.

Let's get some reaction now from Keir Starmer's COP29 address.

Mohamed Adow, director of the Kenya-based climate and energy think tank Power Shift Africa, says Starmer's speech represents a "significant moment".

"This announcement shows he is keen to ensure the UK builds on the momentum created over the last few years and is determined to strengthen its climate leadership," Adow says.

He adds the UK must "help the Global South to decarbonise", as Starmer "will not be able to create a microclimate over Britain by simply announcing UK emissions reduction".

Image source, PA Media

We've just heard from Primer Minister Keir Starmer at COP29, where he outlined his ambitious climate targets. In case you missed it, here are the key takeaways:

• Starmer said there are "two paths" on climate change, one of inaction and one that is "fixed firmly on the opportunities for tomorrow"

• He adds that this is an opportunity for investment, better jobs and developing the tech of the future
• Starmer used his first public address at COP29 to announce a new climate target for the UK - to reduce the country's emissions by 81% by 2035 against 1990 levels

• He outlined that in the first 100 days on government he has taken steps to close the UK's final coal power plant and scrap the ban on onshore wind
• When questioned by BBC's Alex Forsyth, he says he won't dictate how people live their lives but he is clear that reaching the ambitious clean power 2030 mission is vital
• He ended his speech saying there is a "race on for the next generation of jobs" in the renewable sector, concluding "I want to be in it and I want to win it"

Esme Stallard
Climate reporter in Baku

Since coming to power in the summer, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has made clear he wants the UK to return as a global leader on climate.

As a sign of that he has used his first public address at COP29 to announce a new climate target for the UK - to reduce the country's emissions by 81% by 2035 against 1990 levels.

But in a response to BBC's political correspondent Alex Forsyth he said the government does not want to tell people how to live their lives.

The UK has already reduced its annual greenhouse gas emissions by around half since 1990, according to government figures, largely by switching away from coal and towards greener energy.

But reducing the next chunk of emissions is going to be difficult to achieve without changes to the way people live the UK government's own independent scientists, the UKCCC, say, external.

An elimination of petrol and diesel cars is required. There will also need to be a 20% shift away from meat and dairy products in the next five years, and less flying.

Despite the evidence, on my count, he reiterated three times: "I am not going to tell people how to behave".

Instead, he spoke of investing in clean technology and transport so that the choice of the British people to have greener lives becomes easier.

Starmer is now speaking about the war in Ukraine. He's asked what his message is for president-elect Donald Trump on the stance he should take on the conflict.

"I'm not going to start sending messages to the president-elect, but I [will be] clear about my own position, which has been my position since the very start, which is we strongly support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression," he says.

He adds Ukraine should be put in the best possible position going forward.

Image source, PA Media

BBC's Alex Forsyth questions the prime minister on his "ambitious targets on emissions", asking what the potential cost will be for people in the UK.

He admits that the target is ambitious, but says that he "will not be telling people how to live their lives, we're not going to start dictating to people what they do."

He adds he will be clear that "this involves reaching the clean power 2030 mission, one of the five big projects from the government that is vital".

Starmer tells the conference "a global problem also requires global partnership".

"Which is why we took the opportunity at this COP to again urge all parties to come forward with ambitious targets of their own," he adds.