COP26
Together for our planet - the UK's year of climate action.
Climate change has continued throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and ultimately threatens life on earth.
In 2021, the UK, together with our partner Italy, hosted an event many believe to be the world’s last best chance to get runaway climate change under control. This year was the 26th annual meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) – giving it the name COP26. More than 190 world leaders were involved for 12 days of talks, with the aim to avert the climate change crisis and join forces in order to act with urgency.
Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the UK, said: “Securing a brighter future for our children and future generations requires countries to take urgent action at home and abroad to turn the tide on climate change. It is with ambition, courage and collaboration as we approach the crucial COP26 summit in the UK that we can seize this moment together, so we can recover cleaner, rebuild greener and restore our planet.”
COP26, in partnership with Italy, took place in Glasgow from Monday 1 to Friday 12 November 2021.
The four main goals at the COP were:
- Securing global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach – proposal of ambitious 2030 emissions reduction targets and aim to reduce global warming to 1.5 degrees
- Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
- Mobilise finance - at least $100 bn per year in developed countries
- Work together to deliver – collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society
COP 26 outcomes
COP26 has now been completed in Glasgow but how successful were the negotiations and what has been agreed? The initial aims of COP26 were to secure agreements and commitments between participating nations to ensure global warming does not significantly exceed 1.5°C, as in doing so any significant adverse effects to life on earth would be limited.
What was agreed at COP26?
The main outcome is that countries have agreed to bring forward more ambitious emissions reduction pledges to 2022 and more advanced economies are going to be doing more to support countries that are less well off. Another high-level commitment that has been negotiated is that all countries will begin to ‘phase down’ the use of coal.
Importantly 100 world leaders, which include Brazil also reached an agreement on ending and reversing deforestation by 2030, which can only have a positive impact on carbon sequestration if achieved.
Another 40 nations, significantly including Poland and Chile have agreed more explicitly to move away from burning coal, with a further 100 making a commitment to cut current methane emissions by 2030.
There were other agreements by private institutions, including banks and pension funds to invest in clean technologies to enable progress on new shared net zero targets to be achieved.
As with all targets the challenge is in implementation. We now need to see plans and strategies for delivery of these targets.
The USA and China have made commitments to collaborate on climate change mitigation – it will be interesting to see what this actually means in reality?
Shortcomings of the negotiations
The largest failure was that the world’s largest users of coal, the USA and China, did not sign-up to phase out its use. China, Russia and India did not form part of the cohort of countries that have agreed to act on cutting methane emissions.
It seems likely the 1.5 global warming target will remain an illusion unless better progress is made.
COP out
We need to remain with the COP process and the institutions that enable it. Leading nations need to set an example for those who have not engaged with the process.
We all have a part to play to tackle climate change.
For further details please refer to the COP website, follow @COP26 on Twitter and Instagram and sign up for the COP newsletter.
You can also read the article 'How COP26 almost brought me to tears' (staff account required) by Dr Alex Lockwood, Senior Lecturer for Creative and Professional Writing.