COP 26: Updates and Actions on 12th November

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Update from COP 26 on 12th November

The latest COP26 draft political text, published early on Friday 12th, is significantly more balanced than the previous one, with stronger elements on adaptation, finance and loss & damage. The elements of the text aimed at speeding up action to close the gap towards emissions goals are there – with no radical changes from the previous version and dates still intact. The language on coal has been qualified but has survived the night, which many predicted it wouldn’t.

According to Ed King of the Global Strategic Communications Network, “much of the finance parts in the new text are just placeholders as feisty negotiations continue.  Rumours persist talks are blocked due to a disagreement over process and procedures between South African and US negotiators.  The EU is talking up its contributions on adaptation finance, but is shirking stronger text on doubling the pot, worried other rich nations will skip the bill at the end of the night. The text on the common goal for post 2025 finance remains bracketed”.

The US-China Joint Glasgow Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action, which can be found here, is geopolitically significant. According to Greenpeace, it prevents the worst in US-China climate engagement – a decoupling – but is far from saving the planet.. Good analysis from Greenpeace’s Li Shuo here.

The Beyond Oil and Gas Initiative was launched by Costa Rica and Denmark, with countries and subnational jurisdictions committing to end all new oil and gas projects, including in already licensed areas, and Global North producing countries reducing production immediately. So far, the number of signatories is small – Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Greenland, Ireland, Quebec, Sweden and Wales, plus California and New Zealand as associate members – but the commitment is meaningful. More countries are expected to sign on.

The COP26 Declaration on zero emission cars and vans can be found here. 30 countries and six major vehicle manufacturers have signed up to work towards 100 percent zero emission vehicle sales by 2035 in leading markets, and by 2040 globally. Some of the biggest vehicle markets (China and US) and key manufacturers haven’t signed, but the direction of travel is clear.  The UK has confirmed the phase out of non-zero emission HGVs by 2040, meaning no more new polluting road vehicles will be sold in the UK after this date.

The commitment to end international public finance for fossil fuels by the end of 2022 has been signed by 30 countries (Spain being the latest), with potential public finance of $23.6 bn/yr. This means France is the last of the 5 largest EU economies and the last member of the E3F coalition that has not yet joined the commitment.

The draft Glasgow cover text includes plans to assess progress on emissions reductions more often, but there are fears that they might get removed before the agreement is finalised. And there are not yet clear plans to support the most vulnerable countries.

Actions
Email your MP and Boris Johnson (privateoffice@no10.x.gsi.gov.uk) to increase financial support for the countries suffering most from climate change. And point out that current national plans will mean a global temperature increase of 2.4oC; he must push for better plans if we are to meet the 1.5oC target.

Call on Heads of delegations  to COP26 to support the Glasgow Emergency Pact

Call on Australia (HE George Brandis, High Commissioner for Australia, Australia House, the Strand, London WC2B 4LA) not to tone down references to fossil fuels in the agreements.

 

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