COP 26 – What is it?
COP 26 is the 26th annual global climate summit. ‘COP’ stands for Conference of the Parties. This year – November 2021 – with the UK as President, the event is due to take place in Glasgow. The event is being described as the world’s best last chance to tackle the problem of runaway climate change.
In November, more than 190 world leaders will meet in Scotland, joined by tens of thousands of government representatives, negotiators, interest groups and citizens. The planned 12 days of talks, according to most experts, have a unique urgency and should not be seen as just another routine international gathering.
Traditionally, talks on international cooperation and direct action, moved at what could be described as a glacial pace. The common usage of the term ‘glacial pace’ however is becoming outdated as it is in part the increasingly dynamic changes in our glaciers that stand testament to the urgency of the concerns being discussed at the conference. As we approach COP 26, the UK is working with every nation to find agreement on how to tackle climate change with substantive action.
It was in Paris 2015, at COP 21, every country agreed to come together in the commitment to limit global warming. The Paris Agreement aims to keep global warming below 2 degrees but has a desired target of 1.5 degrees. Each country committed to bringing forward national plans regarding the reduction of their emissions known as ‘NDCs’ – Nationally Determined Contributions. It was agreed that every 5 years, each country would return with an updated plan of what they could achieve and exceed in achievement. Last year the meeting was cancelled due to the pandemic. So a year late the countries are due to gather but experts say that they must go much further than was envisaged in the historic Paris summit in order to keep temperature rise to (or below) 1.5 degrees.
Most agree that COP 26 is critical. The following is from COP 26:
“What do we need to achieve at COP26?
1. Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach
Countries are being asked to come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century.
To deliver on these stretching targets, countries will need to:
- accelerate the phase-out of coal
- curtail deforestation
- speed up the switch to electric vehicles
- encourage investment in renewables.
2. Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
The climate is already changing and it will continue to change even as we reduce emissions, with devastating effects.
At COP26 we need to work together to enable and encourage countries affected by climate change to:
- protect and restore ecosystems
- build defences, warning systems and resilient infrastructure and agriculture to avoid loss of homes, livelihoods and even lives
3. Mobilise finance
To deliver on our first two goals, developed countries must make good on their promise to mobilise at least $100bn in climate finance per year by 2020.
International financial institutions must play their part and we need work towards unleashing the trillions in private and public sector finance required to secure global net zero.
4. Work together to deliver
We can only rise to the challenges of the climate crisis by working together. At COP26 we must:
- finalise the Paris Rulebook (the detailed rules that make the Paris Agreement operational)
- accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis through collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society.
The conclusion of the talks in Glasgow could see COP 26 shining as a landmark occasion. It could be too little too late for the gains it wishes to make. The world is watching...
For news from the event, follow the link. COP 26 News
