Fears New Zealand risks national embarrassment at this year's United Nations climate summit

The conference - dubbed Cop26 - will begin overnight our time.

Climate Minister James Shaw and a delegation of diplomats will be attending later next week.

But New Zealand will be one of few countries showing up without an emissions reduction plan.

The Government has delayed released the plan until May 2022.

Otago University marine scientist Doctor Bridie Allan says time is running out to make a change.

She says it's embarrassing given our position in the South Pacific, amongst countries acutely feeling the impacts of climate change.