Insulate Britain campaigners are “expecting the worst” from COP26 and warned the world is heading for “societal collapse” unless appropriate action is taken to tackle the climate crisis.

At COP26, Prime Minister Boris Johnson will declare “it’s one minute to midnight, and we need to act now” otherwise “it will be too late for our children to do so tomorrow” – but activists said such a deadline had already been missed.

Insulate Britain campaigner Cameron Ford told Kay Burley on Sky News he was “hoping for a lot” from the summit, but was “expecting the worst”.

Follow live coverage from COP26

Speaking from Cambridge, he said: “The fact that this is the 26th COP we’ve had – they’ve failed us so far, what’s to say this one’s going to be any different?

“Our government is betraying us. We’ve seen that with the recent budget cuts, we’re seeing that day in, day out. The government is committing treason. That’s why the campaign and non-violent civil resistance has continued.”

When pointed out that Mr Johnson has said he was doing everything he could to tackle emissions, Mr Ford said: “Boris is absolutely lying. He’s a constant greenwasher.

COP26: PM tells world leaders world is in ‘same position as James Bond’ – strapped to a Doomsday device

Watch Climate Live – full coverage of COP26 conference from Glasgow

COP26: Time is running out for the Maldives – as not one but three existential dangers threaten its survival

“Boris says we’re at one minute to midnight. It’s five past midnight. I’m sorry, but we need non-violent civil resistance. Otherwise, we’re hurtling towards societal collapse and that means there’s going to be slaughter, rape, genocide.

“There’s going to be no NHS, that will collapse. There’ll be no pensions.

“We’re going to see a thousand million people – climate refugees – on the move. And when we have food shortages in this country, it’s going to be cut throats on the cereal aisle in Morrisons – it’s going to be a bloodbath. If COP fails, this is what’s coming.

“The next three to four years will determine the future of humanity.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

When asked about the UK’s carbon emissions not being as high as in other major countries like China, Russia and India, Mr Ford said: “Everyone is doing a terrible job here. Let’s not blow our own trumpet and look to shift the blame.

“It’s not India or China’s fault that we’re going to have over eight-and-a-half thousand people die from cold homes this winter, is it?”

The PM will use his speech in Glasgow to announce a further £1bn of UK aid for climate finance over five years.

Related posts:

UK records highest March temperature for 53 years as mercury hits 24.2C ‘Dismissive’ treatment of Grenfell Tower residents is a ‘disgrace”, Sadiq Khan tells public inquiry Full list of BRIT Award nominees New confirmed sighting of missing London student as police search forest in Essex Pret A Manger cleared of food safety offence after student had severe allergic reaction New image released of murdered PCSO Julia James Should the UK vaccinate all teenagers against COVID? Men have more advantages than women in ageing societies, study shows Sperm, eggs and embryo freezing limit to increase to 55 years Chocolate tubs ranked: The best value for money – and which one has the most of your favourite choccie? Climber rescued after injuring leg during an avalanche in Scottish mountains ‘Stop lying’ and ‘come clean’ Starmer tells Johnson over latest No 10 ‘boozy shindig’ claims