UK admits there are “differences” on climate goals ahead of COP26

The president of COP26, Alok Sharma, admitted today that “differences persist” between countries in aspects such as the pace of emissions reductions by 2050 and the abandonment of coal as an energy source, less than a hundred days before the UN climate summit is held in the United Kingdom.

The British politician appeared before the press with the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Mexican Patricia Espinosa, at the end of a meeting in London to prepare the appointment with heads of state and government that will take place between October 31 and November 12 in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

Both pointed out that this two-day meeting – attended by ministers from 51 countries, such as Spain’s Teresa Ribera and her colleagues from China or the United States – has been “very productive”, although Sharma warned that there are still discrepancies and Espinosa said that “there are many duties to be done” for COP26 to be a success.

The two highlighted as the main advance of the London event, which was held in person and virtually, the general consensus that “a package of specific measures must be agreed in order to keep the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC within reach”.

THE ABANDONMENT OF COAL AS A PRIORITY

Sharma expressed “disappointment” that the G20 could not agree last week, mainly because of opposition from China and India, “a message for the abandonment of coal”, a key step to achieve the 1.5ºC milestone and that will determine the outcome of the Scottish summit.

“We would like coal to be relegated to history at COP26,” said the conservative, who stressed that “it is essential to agree on a transition to green energy if the goals subscribed to in the Paris Agreement” of 2015 to combat climate change are to be met.

Espinosa said that, within days of the July 31 deadline, only 97 “Nationally Determined Contributions” (NDCs) have been received, reflecting each country’s efforts to reduce national emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change.

The UN representative pointed out that they are working with the different States to present their commitments to reduce CO2 emissions as soon as possible or to “review” their positions if they are considered insufficient.

MORE FUNDING FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Among the positive resolutions of the London meeting, Sharma cited that Germany and Canada will draw up a plan to facilitate the achievement of the goal acquired in 2009 that developed countries – historically more polluting – contribute at least 100,000 million dollars per year so that those in the process of development can adapt to the impact of climate change, who suffer in a deprouted way although they pollute much less.

“I hope we can bring confidence to developing countries,” Sharma told the news conference.

In addition to mobilizing climate finance and increasing resources for adaptation to the effects of global warming, another issue addressed in London was to finalize the regulations for the implementation of the Paris Agreement, especially with regard to Article 6, which establishes the functioning of carbon markets.

In this regard, Sharma conceded that “there was no agreement” but they moved “forward.”

In addition to those mentioned, countries Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba and Peru, as well as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, Morocco or the European Union (EU) participated in the London meeting.

Source: The Energy Newspaper