NOT SUCH A COP OUT

The historic COP26 had four main areas of focus and managed to negotiate commitments from nearly 200 nations

The UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) was held in Glasgow from the 31st October – 12th November, with a mission to unite the world to tackle climate change.

Following intense negotiations, COP has released the Glasgow Climate Pact, which has been agreed by every party that attended COP26 – representing nearly 200 countries. You may remember the Paris Climate Agreement, which was agreed by 196 countries in 2016, which had the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. COP26 has completed this Agreement.

According to the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, the COP26 President, the agreement to keep within 1.5 degrees is alive, but it’s on life support and will only survive if nations keep to their commitments agreed at COP26.

But what were these commitments?

The focus of the Glasgow Climate Pact is focused on driving work in four key areas:

• Mitigation - reducing emissions

• Adaptation - helping those already impacted by climate change

• Finance - enabling countries to deliver on their climate goals

• Collaboration - working together to deliver even greater action

As the incoming presidency, the UK has been working over the past two years to secure agreements and support in these areas, as well as outlining expectations of all nations.

1. Mitigation:

Over 90% of the world has agreed to net zero commitments, and 153 countries have put forward new 2030 emissions targets. The Paris Rulebook has been finalised and countries agreed to return in 2022 with new, stronger commitments. Steps have been taken to make the shift away from coal power, to halt and reverse deforestation, reduce methane emissions, and commit to creating the infrastructure for electric vehicles. Sadly, only 137 leaders committed to halting deforestation and even then, their target was to do so by 2030.

2. Adaptation:

This area focuses on countries already suffering the effects of climate change, and those at risk. 80 nations are now covered by plans which will increase their preparedness to climate risks. Records amounts of funding for adaptation have been pledged, including commitments to double the 2019 levels of finance available by 2025. New UK funding announced at COP26 will support vulnerable countries to adapt to climate impact and address, minimise and avert loss and damage. Additional partnerships have been created to improve access to funding for Indigenous Peoples.

3. Finance:

Developed countries will deliver on the $100 billion climate finance goal by 2023 at the latest. 34 countries and five public finance institutions will stop international support for the unabated fossil fuel energy sector next year. Private financial institutions and central banks are moving to realign trillions towards global net zero. In Glasgow, countries agreed the way forward for the new post-2025 climate finance goal. Developed countries committed significantly increased funding to vital funds such as the Least Developed Countries Fund.

4. Collaboration:

The productive talks at COP26 will accelerate collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society to deliver on climate goals faster, whilst collaborative councils and dialogues in energy, electric vehicles, shipping and commodities will help deliver on commitments. The Paris Rulebook that was completed at COP26, sets out a new mechanism and standards for international carbon markets, and common timeframes for emissions reductions targets, making collaboration easier.

Further information about these goals and their achievements can be found in the Glasgow Climate Pacti, and we urge you to look her for more detailed information.

i https://ukcop26.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/COP26-Presidency-Outcomes-The-Climate-Pact.pdf