What is COP26? Your Guide to the Largest Conference on Climate
If you’ve been reading the news, listening to podcasts, or scrolling Twitter this month, you’ve probably seen some kind of coverage around the Conference of Parties or COP26.
What is COP26?
The Conference of Parties is an international convening of world leaders, scientists, activists, and media. It’s an opportunity to examine the facts surrounding climate change and collaborate around solutions. This is the 26th meeting, which is being held in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
According to the COP26 website, the goals are:
- Secure global net-zero by 2050 and keep 1.5 degrees celsius within reach
- Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
- Mobilize finance
- Work together to deliver
But, what do these goals actually mean? And what commitments are coming out of COP26? We break it down for you, below.
Net-Zero by 2050
At the 2015 annual Conference of Parties in France, 196 countries signed the Paris Agreement, which is a binding international treaty that aims to keep the impact of global warming below an increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial levels. A world with warming beyond 1.5 degrees on average promises an increase in flooding, destroyed coral reefs, increased heatwaves, and other mal effects for humankind, according to NASA’s climate desk.
Twenty-twenty marked the first five year mark since the Paris Agreement. That’s when countries were required to submit their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which illustrate how they’ll be taking climate action and reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
For the world to be net-zero, greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced as much as possible. After that, emissions are offset with actions like planting trees, investing in renewable energy or methane capture.
Adapt to Protect Communities and Natural Habitats
In this goal, COP26 recognizes the disparate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities. It’s no secret that those most affected by events spurred by climate change like extreme flooding, hurricanes, tsunamis, water contamination, and food insecurity are minority communities or less developed countries. Increasing resilience for these communities, prioritizing environmental justice and restoring habitats that both secure livelihoods and biodiversity must occur in tandem with greenhouse gas reductions.
Interestingly, this section of the 25-page “COP26 Explained” document doesn’t once mention indigenous wisdom, which many climate activists acknowledge is key to unlocking the climate crisis, restoring our planet, and decolonizing the response to climate change.
Mobilize Finance
It’s pretty expensive to completely alter the framework of our society and move towards Net-Zero. Public and private funds need to be mobilized to support the above goals for a safer, healthier planet.
Developed countries supporting developing countries is a focus of this goal. Countries like the United States are pledging to raise at least $100 billion each year collectively to fund climate initiatives abroad.
What’s happening at COP26?
Now that we have an idea of what the goals are for the conference, let’s dive into the actual work happening on the ground.
One big announcement to come out of the first few days at the climate conference was that 100 leaders pledged to stop deforestation in their home countries by 2030. Together, these signatories account for more than 85 percent of the world’s forests. A dozen of these signatories pledged financial backing for supporting Indigenous people and local communities in addition to reducing wildlife risk and increasing resilience. This is a big win, as industries like agriculture (the biggest driver of deforestation) and land use account for 23 percent of greenhouse gas emissions globally.
India also made headlines when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the country will reach net-zero emissions by 2070. Although it sounds so far down the line, this announcement comes with exciting opportunities for the country and sets the standard for other big polluters. India is the third greatest emitter of greenhouse gases, so moving away from that dependency is a signal to others that they’re ready for real climate action.
A Reality Check
Swooping announcements aren’t the only thing making headlines at COP26. Nonprofit organizations, royals, celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, icons like Bill Gates, and youth activists are also in Glasgow. There’s a growing disdain for promises made by people like Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon who recently flew to space and arguably profited on the exploitation of people and the planet. He’s pledged $2 billion for climate action, which is a mere dent in his $201 billion net worth.
Youth activists led a march in Glasgow in an effort to hurry the talks along and encourage real action for decision-makers. Greta Thunberg has taken the stage more than once during COP to use words like “failure”, “greenwashing”, and “a PR campaign” to describe how the talks have gone. She also helped organize 100,000 people who participated in the November 6th climate march in Glasgow, demanding more from policymakers.
The concern for representation and actionable change that doesn’t take years to implement are top of mind for these activists.
Stay in the Loop
To live stream speeches or stay in the know while COP continues to November 12, check out the UNCC Twitter feed and website.
Follow along with climate activists to get a true sense of what’s happening at COP, through the eyes of those who are fearful for the future and expect more from the leaders of our shared planet.
Leah Thomas, the founder of Intersectional Environmentalist, is detailing her experience on Instagram under @greengirlleah. Vanessa Nakate from Uganda, Isais Hernandez, and activists from NDN Collective, an indigenous-led activist organization in South Dakota, are all giving an inside look into what it’s like to attend COP26.
Photo is of the author’s experience attending a climate rally in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2015 the day before COP21 in Paris.
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