Next month, leaders from across the world will meet in Glasgow for climate talks (COP26). This annual conference of nations is hosted by the UN and provides an opportunity for world leaders to agree the rules, guidelines and co-operation necessary to tackle climate change.
The negotiations are a central part of the talks as they provide a significant opportunity to secure global agreements and reign in the biggest polluters. At COP26, leaders will be discussing their progress against the commitments that were made at the 2015 Paris climate talks. These include:
-
- Closing the emissions gap. Discussions will include submitting new national pledges on emissions reduction.
- Carbon markets negotiations. This is the one part of the Paris Agreement that’s yet to be finalised. We are hoping that discussions won’t open the door to global carbon markets that would allow polluters to continue to emit greenhouse gases, for a price, either through trading or offsetting.
- Climate finance. Wealthy countries are failing to meet the agreed target to provide help to poorer countries adapt to the impacts of climate change and transition to clean energy quickly.
- Loss and Damage – There will be a push by many countries suffering the impacts of climate change to secure more finance and action.
COP26 provides an important opportunity for citizens to increase pressure on governments to take urgent action on climate change. There will be huge civil society engagement across the globe, highlighting key issues that need action and holding governments to account and pushing for stronger outcomes.
We will be joining in the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice on the 6th November by taking part in a demonstration at 12pm at Millennium Point.
We must remember that this isn’t just about the 2 weeks in November but about building power and securing wins, before, during and after COP26.
