COP 26 Day 2 | Time for action
Euronews Green delivers a Special COP26 email to my mailbox every day during the two weeks it is running (01-12 November 2021). I’ll publish it in its entirety for those who are interested. This is the first in the series.
Today’s takeaway
The second day of COP26 signalled time for action after an opening marked by “doomsday” rhetoric.
Several major deals were announced on Tuesday as the World Leader’s Summit wrapped up.
More than 100 countries, including EU nations, pledged to curb methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. The potent greenhouse gas is responsible for an estimated 30 per cent of global warming since the industrial revolution according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
In another landmark deal, more than 100 world leaders committed to ending deforestation by 2030. The majority of countries home to the Amazon Rainforest – including Brazil – have signed the agreement.
Pledges for cash flowed too, both from governments and the private sector. The Bezos Earth Fund promised $2 billion (€1.72 billion) to tackle climate change through landscape restoration and the transformation of agricultural systems.
But despite the good news, climate activists warned this might not be enough to keep global warming below 1.5C. Some pointed to accountability problems with world leaders’ commitments, while others said they fell short of previous goals.
Meanwhile, the British presidency faced criticism about accessibility and inclusiveness at the conference. Civil society groups have complained of “unprecedented restrictions” to negotiations, while an Israeli minister using a wheelchair was unable to access the summit yesterday.
If you weren’t able to follow along on Monday, here are the 5 key takeaways from day 1 of COP26.
At a glance
Ending deforestation by 2030: Landmark deal or rerun of past failures?
The first major deal of COP26 was signed today as more than 100 world leaders committed to ending
deforestation by 2030. But critics have highlighted a lack of accountability with this new measure.
Read more
Over 100 countries sign pledge to cut methane emissions
More than 100 countries*, including EU nations, have announced a new plan to curb methane emissions by 30%. But climate activists say this won’t be enough to keep global warming below 1.5C.
Read more
* Australia snubs methane reduction pledge at COP26 climate change conference
Nearly 90 countries have joined a US- and EU-led effort to slash emissions of methane by 30 per cent by 2030 from 2020 levels at COP26. Among the signatories is Brazil, one of the five biggest emitters of methane. The other four – Australia, China, Russia and India – have not signed up. (From Greenpeace Australia Pacific)
Faces of COP26: Meet the ex-corporate consultant fighting for her son’s future
Throughout COP26, we’re profiling some interesting people we meet here in Glasgow. Today, we interview Abigail, a former management consultant who has joined Extinction Rebellion protest group.
Read more
6 Responses to “As Seen from Afar 11/02/2021”
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Thank you so much for this. This is information we MUST know, whether we want to or not. Even if we are in a position where there’s not much we can do besides vote the right way, this helps so much to show the way.
The country leaders are on their way back home already, so the attention of the media will rapidly dwindle. But the next two weeks is where it really counts when their designated negotiator hash out the plans, the costs and the final commitments.
I feel it is now or never.
Very informative – and so vital … actually existentially vital!
Comment from Mitch –
Things look promising….
Mitch
Great information, Lona.
For years there has been so many warnings about Climate and Environmental issues that many people have been ignoring.
I’m happy to see that these leaders from so many countries, gathering together to start taking actions regarding these critical environmental issues
I know that I’ve been signing all sorts of petitions demanding Chase, other banks, big manufacturing and corporations, to start taking actions to help the environment.
We all must do our part.
Thanks Lona
Thanks Lona. Sadly, it only took 2 days for Indonesia to say they weren’t going to do their deforestation pledge–exactly why the voices spoke of need for accountability. And no one believes Bolsanaro’s for Brazil either and the Amazon needs it more than most forests ASAP.