The COP26 Climate Summit – Fourteen days packed with talks, debates, and discussions on how to make the earth more livable. The conference tackled problems of climate change and how nations can improve.
Major takeaways from COP26 Climate summit
COP26 Climate summit was a major moment for revisiting pledges made under the Paris Agreement in 2015. Back then, countries had to make changes for keeping global warming under 2C and aim to reach 1.5C. The 26th Conference of Parties (COP) held in Glasgow also focused on cutting emissions and reaching net-zero by the mid-century. “Our fragile planet is hanging by a thread. We are still knocking on the door of climate catastrophe. It is time to go into emergency mode,” said Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General.
One of the major takeaways from the conference was sticking to the Paris agreement and reaching the 1.5C point. The Paris agreement focused on keeping the temperature rise to 2C by the end of the century. The move is crucial as even a half-degree change can be the difference between life and death on earth. The COP26 Climate Conference marks the first reference to fossil fuels in a COP document. The demand for phasing out coal was a major pillar of COP26. Unfortunately, it came down from “phased out” to “phased down” in the final phase due to heavy pressure from India, China, and the US.
Deals and decisions to carry forward
Coal targets and reaching net-zero emissions were not the only major deals and decisions of COP26. Other wins from the meeting include deals on global carbon trading, climate financing, a 45 percent fall in emissions by 2030, and more! For the first time, the need for tackling methane came up in a COP document. Over 100 nations agreed to completely slash methane, an emission more potent than carbon dioxide.
Additionally, over 100 counties made a pact on reversing deforestation by the end of this decade. Over 30 countries also signed on a declaration for working towards reaching zero-emission cars by 2040. As reversing the climate change effects has financial implications, the event estimated that an annual budget of one trillion dollars is needed to achieve the set targets. In 2009, developed nations had promised to provide funds. However since it was not met, they made promises of meeting them by next year.
US and China will now work together
Us and China, the world’s top two carbon dioxide emitters pledged to cooperate in the coming decade. The new partnership is focused on reducing both carbon and methane emissions and switching to clean energy. While China was previously reluctant on tackling domestic coal emissions, the nation has now recognized the importance of immediate action.
“The U.S. and China have no shortage of differences. But on climate, cooperation is the only way to get this job done,” said John Kerry. Kerry is the US climate envoy to President Biden. Although they neglected to include important details. the move is highly significant.