COP26: The key take outs so far

COP26: The Key Take Outs So Far

So Energy

Like many others around the world, we’ve spent this week keeping a keen eye on the news coming out of COP26 in Glasgow. Hailed by many scientists and climate experts as the last chance to stage a coordinated response to the climate emergency, the outcomes of this particular conference will be crucial if we are to limit global heating.

Read on for our round-up of some of the biggest announcements to have come out of the summit this week. (And if you’re in need of a recap on what COP26 is, and why it matters, check out last week’s blog post here.)

Deforestation to end by 2030

The first major deal announced at the summit this week was to end and reverse deforestation, a pledge signed by more than 100 world leaders. Jair Bolsonaro, the president of Brazil - where vast stretches of the Amazon rainforest have been cut down - is among the signatories, as is the US’s Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping.

The Guardian reports that land-clearing accounts for almost a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, largely deriving from the destruction of the world’s forests for agricultural products such as palm oil, soy and beef.

Leaders join forces to introduce new plan for clean technologies

More than 40 nations - together representing two-thirds of the global economy - have agreed to a plan to coordinate the introduction of clean tech, and we’re pleased to see that this includes renewable energy, as well as things like electric vehicles.

Known as the ‘Breakthrough Agenda,’ the idea is for the coordination of investment into these areas to bring forward the “tipping point” at which green technologies are more affordable and accessible than fossil-fuelled alternatives, reports the Guardian. The first five breakthrough areas will be clean electricity, electric vehicles, green steel, hydrogen and sustainable farming.

Over 40 countries agree to phase out coal-fired power

More than 40 countries have agreed to phase out their use of coal-fired power, in favour of electricity generation.

With greenhouse gas emissions from burning coal the single-biggest contributor to climate change, the goal of “consigning coal to history” was a key focus for the summit this year. However some experts have warned that the phase-out deadline is too late. Speaking to the Guardian, Jamie Peters, director of campaigns at Friends of the Earth, said: “The key point in this underwhelming announcement is that coal is basically allowed to continue as normal for years yet.”

The US and EU announce partnership to cut methane emissions

On Tuesday, Joe Biden and EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced a global partnership aimed at tackling methane, which is responsible for a third of current warming from human activities.

The Global Methane Pledge plans to make cuts by tackling methane leaking from oil and gas wells, pipelines and other fossil fuel infrastructure, along with other significant sources of the gas such as livestock farming.

India pledges to reach net zero emissions by 2070

Having been one of the last remaining major economies to hold out on making a net zero commitment, India’s prime minister Narendra Modi told the summit that the country will meet a target of net zero emissions by 2070. As the world’s third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide after the US and China, the commitment has been described as a “vital step.” Although it falls short of the 2050 target set by the US and Europe, many experts have modelled it as “the most feasible scenario” for the country.

Modi also made a number of shorter-term commitments, including promising to have 50% of India’s power generated by renewable energy by 2030.

Jeff Bezos defends his trip to space

World leaders aside, we’ve also heard from many prominent figures in business (and show business!) Despite having faced criticism from many - including Prince William - Amazon founder Jeff Bezos used COP26 as an opportunity to tell delegates that his trip to space made him realise how “finite and fragile” the Earth is.

He also announced that Amazon is aiming to power all its operations by 100% renewable energy by 2025, and that it is working to convert its delivery fleet to electrical vehicles.