Climate debate: Key facts as Corbyn and Swinson prepare for live Channel 4 election clash

Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage expected to be empty-chaired as rival party leaders take on environmental issues

Jeremy Corbyn will go head-to-head with Jo Swinson tonight in the latest televised debate of the general election campaign.

Corbyn and Swinson will be joined for Channel 4’s Emergency on Planet Earth: The Debate – a discussion dedicated to climate change – by Nicola Sturgeon, Adam Price and Sian Berry, leaders of the Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party respectively.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage will not be there, however, and rumours abound that they will be empty-chaired or even replaced by an ice sculpture left to melt under the glare of the hot studio lights in Mr Johnson’s case.

Here is everything you need to know about tonight’s event.

What time is the debate and how can I watch?

The hour-long showdown will be broadcast on Channel 4 from 7pm this evening.

It will be moderated by Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who said the party leaders would be grilled on how people’s lives will have to change in response to growing environmental pressures – whether it would involve giving up red meat, going on holiday or ending fast fashion.

Plans to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles, cut the carbon from heating homes, plant trees and protect wildlife are also among the subjects they could be quizzed on.

Mr Guru-Murthy said: “This debate has been called for by hundreds of thousands of people from all sorts of different walks of life.”

Ben de Pear, editor of Channel 4 News, said: “There is no more urgent issue facing the planet and we are delighted to open the whole of our programme for all the party leaders to show what plans they have to confront it.”

Why is the prime minister not taking part?

Boris Johnson is understood to have taken exception to the idea of debating Ms Sturgeon on the grounds that she is not a candidate in the election – although it has also been suggested he remains offended by Channel 4 boss Dorothy Byrne’s comments, after she called him a “known liar” when she gave her MacTaggart Lecture at the Edinburgh International Television Festival back in August.

The Conservatives are also reportedly reluctant to allow Mr Corbyn to attack them solely on any issue other than Brexit.

The party has proposed sending Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister and former environment secretary, in his stead but Channel 4 is insisting that only party leaders will be allowed to take part. A spokesperson said: “Channel 4 News is hosting the world’s first leader’s debate. Michael Gove is not the party leader. The invitation to Boris Johnson remains open.”

Speaking to The Independent, they added: “The clock is ticking. The ice caps are melting. Our invitation to the prime minister remains open until 7pm tonight.”

Polling by YouGov for climate charity Possible and Friends of the Earth suggests almost two-thirds of people (64 per cent) believe Mr Johnson should take part.

The PM’s own father, Stanley Johnson, former Conservative MEP, author and environmentalist, agrees: “It is tremendously important that the whole climate and environment issue be fully aired during the general election.

“There is no doubt in my mind that this is a crucial moment for the environment, both nationally and internationally.

Which other election debates are planned?

Thursday’s debate will be followed by several more in the run-up to the 12 December ballot.

A BBC Election Debate takes place on Friday 29 November, the ITV Election Debate follows on Sunday 1 December and will be followed by a BBC Prime Ministerial Debate on Friday 6 December and a BBC Question Time special for voters aged under 30 on Monday 9 December.