What is COP26 and why is it important?
The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges we all face. One that requires each of us to take urgent action together and fast. COP26 is one of the most significant climate events since the Paris agreement and will have a huge impact on how we respond to the current climate emergency.
World leaders united yesterday for the opening of the event and to agree action to address climate change, focusing on net zero carbon, an end to funding coal projects overseas and scaling up support for clean power.
What is COP26?
Conference of the Parties (COP) now in its 26th year (COP26) is the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference which brings together world governments to devise a response to the current climate emergency. This year, the event which takes place in a different city each year is being hosted by Glasgow a year after it was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Alok Sharma, The UK’s Former Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary, is COP26 president and will be leading on the agenda to take action on climate change. An estimated 30,000 delegates are expected to attend the summit taking place 31st – 12th November from almost every country in the world including representatives and negotiators from 197 countries.
Why is COP26 important?
The world is getting warmer, sea levels are rising, Ecosystems have been destroyed. Poor air quality is affecting the health of tens of millions of people. Extreme weather events including floods, wildfires, droughts and storms taking place around the world are intensifying as a result of climate change with devastating environmental, social and economic impacts. The world can no longer withstand the damage that humanity has inflicted upon it. Despite commitments and progress in the fight against climate change we simply have not done enough and need to take urgent action fast.
Science has shown us that global warming is on track to exceed a rise of 2%, however if we take collaborative action now, we can limit it to 1.5% and prevent further damage to the planet. COP26 will unite leaders to accelerate ambitions to address climate change to meet the targets of the Paris agreement in 2015.
What is on the agenda for COP26?
The summit will take place over two weeks with conferences taking place each day focusing on different areas of climate change from accelerating the global transition to clean energy to cities, regions and built environment.
The four main goals on the agenda for COP26 are:
- Securing global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach.
- Adapting to protect communities and natural habitats.
- Mobilising finance.
- Working together to deliver.
COP26 is the first time the Paris agreement will be revisited and leaders will be asked to show the progress they have made in meeting their targets and bring plans to advance further on their goals to reduce carbon emissions. Leaders will discuss and agree a comprehensive plan to achieve the goals of the Paris agreement to advert the climate emergency and create a sustainable future.
