- Sustainable Queen
THE KEY TAKEAWAYS ON THE CONTROVERSIAL COP 26 AGENDA
WHAT IS COP 26?
COP stands for “Conference of the Parties” and this is the 26th annual summit. This year, two hundred countries were invited to present their strategies and plans for reducing emissions by 2030 at COP26.
WHAT IS THE GLOBAL AIM THIS YEAR FOLLOWING THE PARIS AGREEMENT?
Through the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries were urged to make changes to keep global warming “well below” 2C – and to attempt to target 1.5C – in an effort to avoid a climate catastrophe.
The goal is to continue to reduce emissions until they reach net zero in 2050.
WHAT ARE THE KEY TAKEAWAYS THAT WERE ON THE CONTROVERSIAL COP 26 AGENDA HELD IN GLASGOW IN 2021?
Call to action More trust, credibility, and ambition are encouraged between key players to reinforce the call to action for global political mobilization.
Looking at one of the world’s most critical challenges; Climate change Governments are expected to commit to more ambitious greenhouse gas reductions if we are to avoid a further increase in global temperature.
US and China’s Commitments Commitments are made by the world’s biggest polluters, such as the United States and China about methane emissions, transition to clean energy, and decarbonization. In addition, pledges were made to provide adequate support to poorer countries.
Impactful decisions for all Decisions made at the summit have the potential to impact our jobs, how our homes are heated, our eating and traveling habits. The COP should not be seen as a place for endless and tedious discussions, but rather as a space that highlights best practices and encourages concrete actions.
Financing the climate change initiatives how countries will engage in financial measures to address climate change.
Implementation of the Paris agreement pledges Issues of transparency, carbon markets, and the adoption of a common agenda for carbon reduction has defied the best efforts of negotiators over the past six years.
The review of the process In reality, the requirement for consensus between 197 parties, along with the legalistic and technical nature of the discussions leaves little room for negotiation and effective decision-making.
Accountability must be reinforced Many countries are pledging to take many steps, but there is no real follow-up or concrete action. The summit intends to strengthen the accountability of the next step that follows from the discussions and pledges made.
Putting an end to deforestation Over 100 countries, representing about 85% of the world’s forests, have pledged to end deforestation by 2030.
Transitioning away from coal and fossil fuels Over 40 countries, including major coal users such as Poland, Vietnam and Chile, have agreed to transition away from coal. The same applies to Fossil fuels from the UK, Canada, and New Zealand who commits to stop relentlessly funding fossil fuel projects abroad.
Animal agriculture Today, besides the vegan advocacy to stop animal agriculture, the members of the COP26 are looking at how to tackle methane and carbon emissions from fuel burned by livestock transportation and meat production.
WHAT HAS BEEN AGREED AT COP 26?
The COP 26 calls on countries to outline their plans for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at a much faster pace than previously and also call on developed nations to contribute a minimum of twice the amount of adaptation the funding they provide to countries already suffering from the effects of climate change.
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