Learn about six actions against climate change ahead of the COP26 Climate Conference

September has been a month to remember for the commitments reached regarding the fight against climate change. From funding pledges to concrete action by top greenhouse gas emitters to the first step in reforming our food systems, climate action seems to be gaining greater momentum.

From the week of the United Nations General Assembly to the last meeting before COP26, last September has been an important moment to give momentum ahead of the decisive United Nations Climate Conference COP26 in early November.

UN News has drawn up a list of the six most important points related to climate action that you should know before this meeting, which will be held in the British city of Glasgow.

1. Billions earmarked for clean energy

Governments and the private sector pledged more than $400 billion in new finance and investment during the UN High-Level Dialogue on Energy, the first leader-level meeting on this issue under the auspices of the UN General Assembly in 40 years.

More than 35 countries, from island states to large emerging and industrialized economies, made significant new energy commitments.

For example, the No More Coal Pact includes Sri Lanka, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Montenegro.

The countries that are part of the coalition have pledged to immediately stop granting new permits for coal-fired power generation projects and to cease construction of new coal-fired power generation projects, starting at the end of 2021.

During the event, several new partnership initiatives were announced, with the aim of providing and improving access to reliable electricity to more than one billion people.

2. The U.S. and China drive climate action

The world’s two largest economies pledged to take more ambitious climate action during the high-level week of the General Assembly.

U.S. President Joe Biden announced that his country would significantly increase its international climate finance to about $11.4 billion a year.

For his part, China’s President Xi Jinping said he would end all financing of coal-fired power plants abroad and redirect support to green and low-carbon power generation.

Although the announcements were very well received, the UN Secretary-General noted that there is still “a long way to go” for the Glasgow Climate Conference to be a success that guarantees “a turning point in our collective efforts to tackle the climate crisis”.

3. Africa Climate Week stimulates regional action

People from across Africa gathered virtually for several days to explore possibilities and showcase ambitious solutions in the fight against global warming.

More than 1600 people actively participated in the virtual meeting, in which the host Government of Uganda brought together governments from the region at all levels, along with private sector leaders, academic experts and other key stakeholders.

Janet Rogan, COP26 regional ambassador for Africa and the Middle East, said the meeting allowed many stakeholders to build new partnerships and strengthen existing ones.

“Only by working together can we truly help deliver on the Paris Agreement, being aware of the unique opportunities and challenges this poses in the region,” he said.

Various United Nations agencies also participated:

• World Bank reviewed economy-wide approaches to sustainable and green recovery

• The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) studied how climate risk and climate solutions are transforming different sectors

• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) envisioned the future and reviewed behaviours, technologies and funding

• The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) published its first assessment of Africa’s forests and landscapes, revealing that up to 65% of productive land is degraded, while desertification affects 45% of Africa’s land area

Africa has contributed little to climate change, generating only a small fraction of global emissions. However, it may be the most vulnerable region in the world, already suffering from droughts, floods and destructive locust invasions, among other effects of climate change.

4. The United Kingdom, host of the Conference, called for further financial commitment

Right at the start of the General Assembly, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson called an emergency meeting to push for more action on climate finance and other measures ahead of COP26.

World leaders addressed the remaining gaps in the actions needed by national governments, especially the G20 industrialized powers, on mitigation, financing and adaptation.

The UK prime minister has warned that “history will judge” the world’s richest nations if they fail to deliver on his promise to commit $100 billion a year in climate aid before the conference. And he said there’s a 60% chance of getting the money before November.

Johnson also assured that his country “will lead by example, keeping the environment on the global agenda and serving as a launching pad for a green and global industrial revolution.” But he warned: “No country can change the situation alone, it would be like rescuing an ocean liner with a single cube.”

5. World leaders commit to reforming global food systems

Food systems cause up to a third of greenhouse gas emissions and up to 80% of biodiversity loss. They also use up to 70% of freshwater reserves.

However, sustainable food production systems must be recognized as an essential solution to these existing challenges.

On September 23, the first UN Food Systems Summit convened world leaders to drive action at both the national and regional levels and transform the way we produce, consume and dispose of our food.

In the wake of the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which showed that we have little time left to reverse man-made global warming, the US administration, one of the world’s leading agricultural producers, pledged $10 billion over five years to tackle climate change and help feed the most vulnerable without depleting natural resources.

The Summit, convened by the UN Secretary-General in 2019 to accelerate global progress by harnessing the interconnected importance of food systems, featured other commitments from more than 85 Heads of State from around the world.

Many countries announced national initiatives, totaling 231 commitments, to ensure that their food systems meet not only the nutritional needs of their populations, but also goals related to climate change, biodiversity and decent livelihoods for all. Businesses and civil society organizations also made important promises.

6. No more blah, blah, blah

Almost 400 activists between the ages of 15 and 29, from 186 countries, gathered a few days ago in Milan (Italy) to redouble the call for climate action. A few weeks before the Conference, they highlighted the leadership of young people and advocated for a much more conscious society.

Greta Thunberg, along with Ugandan ecologist Vanessa Nakate, was one of the speakers at the Youth4Climate event, organized by Italy and the World Bank.

“Rebuild better. Blah, blah, blah. Green economy. Blah, blah, blah. Zero emissions by 2050. Blah, blah, blah. This is all we hear from our so-called leaders. Words that sound great but have so far not led to action. Our hopes and ambitions are drowned in their empty promises,” Thunberg said.

“No more empty conferences, it’s time to show us the money,” added Nakate, 24, referring to the $100 billion in annual climate aid pledged by the richest economies to help developing countries vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

“What do we want? We want climate justice now,” said Thunberg, known for inspiring a series of youth strikes around the world since 2018 with the aim of raising awareness of the urgency of this issue.

The three-day meeting ended with a joint document to be presented at and during the various meetings leading up to and during the Conference.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres thanked young people for contributing ideas and solutions ahead of the UN Climate Conference.

“Young people have been on the front lines to propose positive solutions, advocate for climate justice and hold leaders to account. We need young people around the world to continue to speak out,” he said in a video message.

Source: United Nations