Following this major gathering by 200 nations last month in Glasgow, UK, to discuss and agree a new Climate Pact the overall impression is that very little progress was actually achieved in view of disagreements and non-commitments by major polluters such as China and India. Eventually the Glasgow Climate Pact was agreed on November 13 after almost two weeks of strenuous deliberations.Following this major gathering by 200 nations last month in Glasgow, UK, to discuss and agree a new Climate Pact the overall impression is that very little progress was actually achieved in view of disagreements and non-commitments by major polluters such as China and India. Eventually the Glasgow Climate Pact was agreed on November 13 after almost two weeks of strenuous deliberations.
The agreement acknowledges that commitments made by countries so far to cut emissions of planet-heating greenhouse gases are nowhere near enough to prevent planetary warming from exceeding 1.5°C above pre-industrial temperatures. In an attempt to solve this impasse, the final joint communique at COP26 asks governments to strengthen those targets by the end of next year, rather than every five years, as previously required. Failure to set, and meet, tougher emissions-cutting goals would have huge consequences, noted the organizers. Many scientists say that to go beyond a rise of 1.5°C would unleash extreme sea level rise and catastrophes, including crippling droughts, monstrous storms and wildfires far worse than those the world is already suffering.
It is worth noting that the official communique for the first time includes language that asks countries to reduce their reliance on coal and roll back fossil fuel subsidies, moves that would target the energy sources that scientists say are the primary drivers of manmade climate change.
Earlier this month IENE send to its members an Analysis on what transpired at COP 26 and where it explained in some detail the implications for SE Europe. The full document has now been uploaded in the Publications section of this site and is freely accessible to everyone.
