President Biden's whirlwind European tour appears to be catching up with him, as the 78-year-old was caught resting his eyes during the opening remarks of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.
The president looked to be dozing off as one speaker underscored the importance of taking action to save the climate. He opened his eyes and appeared to liven up when an aide walked up to him to chat.
Biden then sat forward and rubbed his eyes as Italy's prime minister took the stage.
Biden touched down in Scotland on Monday morning before promptly climbing into his huge motorcade to travel to a climate summit where he plans to tout American leadership on tackling carbon emissions, after spending the weekend in Rome meeting with Pope Francis and Italian leaders and attending the G2-.
After making the short hop from Rome in Air Force One - a modified 747 - his gas-guzzling convoy of more than 20 vehicles will raise fresh criticisms of hypocrisy.
At the G20 in Rome he used an 85-vehicle convoy, including vans for officials, secret service and journalists, as well as ambulances and communications systems.
He was greeted warmly by Boris Johnson, British prime minister, and U.S. Secretary General Antonio Guterres when he arrived at the conference center. The leaders swapped elbow bumps and warm smiles.
Earlier officials said Biden would urge other nations to do more in a speech on Monday.
President Biden's whirlwind European tour appears to be catching up with him, as the 78-year-old was caught resting his eyes during the opening remarks of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow
The president looked to be dozing off as one speaker underscored the importance of taking action to save the climate
He opened his eyes and appeared to liven up when an aide walked up to him to chat
Officials did not name names as they previewed his remarks, but the presidents of key polluters Russia and China are not attending the talks and India has said it will not be changing its reliance on coal any time soon.
Biden will today release a detailed plan to half carbon emissions by the end of the decade, compared with 2005 levels.
And he plans to launch a scheme to raise $3 billion a year to help developing countries adapt to climate change.
His national security adviser used the proposals to throw down a challenge to other nations.
'So the US is stepping up to do its part key,' said Jake Sullivan aboard Air Force One en route to Edinburgh.
'US allies Japan, Korea, the European Union, Canada, others are stepping up to do their part.
'And now the question is: Will some of the remaining countries step up to do theirs?'
President Biden's motorcade burned through the Central Belt of Scotland from Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow on Monday
It comprised more than 20 vehicles - plus police outriders - but was modest compared with the 85 vehicles he used in Rome
Biden's six-day trip to Europe will release an estimated two million pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
President Biden touched down at Edinburgh Airport on Monday morning ahead of arriving at the COP 26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, after making the short hop from Rome, Italy
Air Force landed in Scotland on Monday morning. Biden has been criticized for the amount of carbon emitted by his fleet of aircraft and cars during his Europe trip
