Glasgow is set to grind to a halt during Cop26 as ScotRail workers confirmed they will strike amid a dispute over pay and conditions, with binmen also threatening to walk out during the climate summit.
There are fears the city will be paralysed by transport chaos and could turn into a 'huge rubbish dump' when it welcomes leaders from around the world during the first two weeks of November.
Members of the RMT union said workers will strike from November 1 to 12 after Scotrail 'failed to get serious' in talks.
Glasgow is set to be paralysed by transport chaos with rail workers on strike and binmen threatening to walk out as Nicola Sturgeon welcomes world leaders
Thousands of delegates from across the globe, including world leaders such as US president Joe Biden, will be in Scotland for the historic event.
In an announcement made on Friday Mr Lynch said: 'There was a golden opportunity for Scotrail to make serious progress in talks today but instead they offered nothing of any consequence and as a result our action throughout Cop26 goes ahead as planned.'
'There is still time to avoid the chaos of a transport shutdown during Cop26 if the key players get back with some serious proposals.'
He said the union remains open to pay rise discussions with ScotRail, but 'the ball is firmly in their court'.
Earlier, Mr Lynch said he had written to the First Minister 'calling on her to intervene as a matter of urgency to bring about a fair resolution' to the dispute, and accused rail bosses of having 'dragged their heels over further talks' with just weeks until the summit.
Around 1,500 refuse and cleaning staff are planning a week-long strike from November 1, at the start of the international gathering
In his letter to Nicola Sturgeon, he said: 'It is completely within the Scottish Government's powers to resolve these disputes before Cop26 commences - it needs to stop stonewalling these key workers and give them the justice, respect and reward they deserve.'
It comes after Scotland's railways have seen months of industrial action, with most Sunday services cancelled.
Earlier this week the TSSA union, which represents managers in the conductor and revenue teams at Scotland's train operator, said it would no longer take part in industrial action after accepting an improved pay offer.
Meanwhile around 1,500 refuse and cleaning staff are planning a week-long strike from November 1, at the start of the international gathering.
A bin strike in Glasow (pictured) threatens to turn the city into a 'giant rubbish dump' during the Cop26 climate change summit as staff are planning a week-long strike from November 1
