COP 26 Update and Action on 2nd November

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Update from COP 26

On G20: Last weekend, G20 leaders made some small steps towards limiting global warming to 1.5C. But there’s lots more work to do for world leaders now gathered at the UN Climate Talks to agree plans to tackle the climate crisis

  • This weekend, the world’s most powerful leaders met and committed to the basics: they agreed to hit net zero emissions by 2050, that 1.5C is better than 2C warming, and committed to financially support countries on the frontline of the climate crisis.
  • This was a start – but it doesn’t quite add up to the ambition of limiting global warming to 1.5C, and it didn’t answer the important question of exactly what each country will commit to do. And they didn’t make any progress on the huge subsidies they give to fossil fuels – the biggest cause of climate breakdown
  • This means it’s important that the UN climate talks in Glasgow deliver clear plans for how countries – especially the biggest emitters – will tackle climate change.
  • Boris Johnson has been clear in his rhetoric that he wants to see commitments from other major economies calling the commitments at G20 “drops in a rapidly warming ocean”. He has also spoken about the goal to “consign coal to history” at COP26 and said he is against plans for the Whitehaven coal mine. The UK’s role as hosts of COP means they must show their rhetoric matches action at home – including ending all new fossil fuel projects.

On developing countries: The countries hit hardest by climate breakdown have been speaking out at the UN Climate Talks. Scientists have confirmed the links between climate change and extreme weather – like floods, typhoons, and droughts – with more certainty than ever before. At the talks, the world’s biggest, richest polluters will have to explain exactly what they’re going to do to slow down global warming to the countries most affected.

On loss and damage: More countries should follow Scotland’s lead in committing to help developing countries deal with the devastation caused by worsening extreme weather. It’s only fair that the richest countries – who’ve been the biggest polluters – help developing countries deal with the climate crisis. It’s good news that Scotland has agreed to a symbolic commitment of a million pounds to help strengthen their defences against climate disasters like floods and hurricanes. Now, more countries need to follow suit.

 

Actions

  • Watch and share the David Attenborough speech and film.
  • Watch and share the powerful Earth to COP film
  • Congratulate the Scottish Government for being the first developed nation to explicitly commit to loss and damage financing
  • Share “We are not drowning, we are fighting”powerful words from Brianna Fruean,  environmental advocate for Samoa.

 

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