After two weeks of discussion, COP26 has concluded with nearly 200 countries agreeing on keeping 1.5C alive and accelerating action on climate this decade. The Glasgow Climate Pact can only be delivered through combined global efforts in which countries need to revisit and strengthen their current emissions targets to 2030. In addition, to ensure follow-through of these targets, a yearly political roundtable will be held to create a global progress report along with a Leaders summit in 2023. After 6 years, The Paris Rulebook, the guideline for how the Paris Agreement is operated was also finally completed. This enables a full delivery of the landmark accords and will push for transparency that will hold countries accountable for meeting their targets. Countries will also be following the framework of Article 6 that allows the exchange of carbon credits through the UNFCCC.
Another key agreement made at the summit was the agreed action of reducing fossil fuels, in which countries like the UK have pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. COP has also recognised the need to address loss and damage from the current impacts of climate change. Furthermore, developed countries have committed to significantly increasing financial support to developing countries by 2025.
Nearly 2 years ago, when the UK took on the COP26 mantle along with Italy, only 30% of the world agreed to net-zero targets, however this figure now stands at 90%, where 154 parties have proposed new targets, representing 80% of worldwide emissions. Moreover, 130 countries committed to ending deforestation by 2030, protecting 90% of the world’s forests.
To progress with zero emissions targets, some of the world’s largest car manufacturers are working towards making all new car sales zero-emission by 2040. Countries and cities have also started creating phaseout dates for diesel and petrol cars to transition to green energy transport.
Without action, the world could be on a road to devastating temperature rise, where communities all around the world will feel the impacts of climate change. The Climate Action Tracker shows that with full enforcement of the collective commitments, temperature rise could hold at 1.8C.
Reflecting on our future and responsibility ahead, COP26 President Alok Sharma said:
“We can now say with credibility that we have kept 1.5 degrees alive. But, its pulse is weak and it will only survive if we keep our promises and translate commitments into rapid action. I am grateful to the UNFCCC for working with us to deliver a successful COP26.
From here, we must now move forward together and deliver on the expectations set out in the Glasgow Climate Pact, and close the vast gap which remains. Because as Prime Minister Mia Mottley told us at the start of this conference, for Barbados and other small island states, ‘two degrees is a death sentence’.
It is up to all of us to sustain our lodestar of keeping 1.5 degrees within reach and to continue our efforts to get finance flowing and boost adaptation. After the collective dedication which has delivered the Glasgow Climate Pact, our work here cannot be wasted.”
For more information visit https://ukcop26.org/
