Cop26: Initiatives & Challenges|UPSC Notes

Cop26 marked a pivotal moment in the global fight against climate change. Held in 2021, Cop26 brought together leaders from around the world to discuss and take action on pressing environmental issues. The conference was a critical step in addressing the urgent need for climate change mitigation and adaptation. It was a significant event that aimed to strengthen global commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the planet. The conference underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in combating climate change. World leaders, activists, and experts discussed various strategies to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

• Cop26 was held in which country: United Kingdom
• Cop26 Glasgow: Hosted in the vibrant city of Glasgow
• A global climate summit under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Glasgow Climate Pact: A historic agreement reached at Cop26

GS Paper	GS Paper I, GS Ppare III
Topics for UPSC Prelims	Impact of Climate Change on Indian Geography, Environmental policies and their effects
Topics for UPSC Mains	Role of climate change in shaping Indian society, India’s strategies for mitigating climate change

What is Cop26?

Cop26 stands for the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It was a global gathering aimed at accelerating action to combat climate change. The conference was held in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31 to November 12, 2021. Cop26 was crucial in assessing progress since the Paris Agreement of 2015 and setting new targets for the future.

Initiatives at the UNCop 26

At Cop26, several key initiatives were introduced to enhance global climate action. These initiatives aimed to address various aspects of climate change, including mitigation, adaptation, and financing. Some of the notable initiatives include:

Glasgow Climate Pact

A historic agreement that aimed to strengthen global efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It urged countries to revisit and enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2022, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and phasing down coal usage.

Climate Finance Commitment

Developed countries committed to mobilizing $100 billion annually to support developing nations in their climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. This funding aims to assist vulnerable countries in transitioning to renewable energy, improving climate resilience, and reducing the impacts of climate change.

Global Methane Pledge

An initiative to reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030, compared to 2020 levels. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and this pledge targets its reduction, particularly from the energy, agriculture, and waste sectors, to help slow global warming.

Deforestation Pledge

Over 100 countries, representing 85% of the world’s forests, committed to halting and reversing deforestation by 2030. This initiative includes restoring degraded lands, supporting indigenous communities, and promoting sustainable agriculture to preserve biodiversity and combat climate change.

Phasing Down Coal

Countries agreed to reduce the use of coal as an energy source, recognizing it as the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel. The pact encourages a just transition to renewable energy, particularly in coal-dependent economies, to decrease carbon emissions significantly.

Net-Zero Emissions Targets

Countries were encouraged to set ambitious net-zero emissions targets, aiming for mid-century as a deadline. These targets involve reducing greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions balanced by carbon removal strategies.

Adaptation and Resilience

Leaders strongly emphasized enhancing support for climate adaptation and resilience, especially in vulnerable regions. This includes investments in infrastructure, early warning systems, and climate-smart agriculture to help communities cope with the effects of climate change.

Private Sector Involvement

Cop26 saw increased engagement of businesses and the private sector in climate action efforts. Encouragers urged companies to set science-based targets, invest in green technologies, and support sustainable practices to contribute to global climate goals.

Transparency and Reporting

Leaders at Cop26 strengthened the transparency framework for reporting on climate actions and emissions. Countries agreed to provide clear, consistent, and comparable data on their progress, enhancing accountability and trust in global climate agreements.

Ocean and Nature-Based Solutions

Initiatives were introduced to protect oceans and implement nature-based solutions to climate challenges. These include protecting marine ecosystems, promoting sustainable fishing, and restoring coastal habitats, recognizing the critical role of nature in climate mitigation and adaptation.

Achievements of the UNCOP 26 Summit

The Achievements of the UNCOP 26 Summit were numerous and significant. The Glasgow Climate Pact was a landmark achievement, as it brought together countries to commit to stronger climate action. The pact emphasized the need to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and called for accelerated efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

• Glasgow Climate Pact Adoption: The summit resulted in the adoption of the Glasgow Climate Pact, which reinforced the global commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This agreement marked a significant step forward in international climate diplomacy.
• Increased Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Many countries announced more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions, enhancing their commitments to reduce carbon emissions. This showed a collective effort to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement.
• Global Methane Pledge Launch: The summit saw the launch of the Global Methane Pledge, with over 100 countries committing to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. This was a major achievement in targeting short-term climate pollutants.
• Deforestation Commitment: More than 100 countries, covering 85% of the world’s forests, pledged to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. This commitment included significant financial investments to support reforestation and sustainable land use.
• Climate Finance Progress: Although developed countries did not fully meet the $100 billion per year climate finance goal, they made significant progress. Developed nations reaffirmed their commitment to scale up funding for developing countries, with new pledges and initiatives introduced at the summit.

Glasgow Climate Pact

The Glasgow Climate Pact was one of the most significant outcomes of Cop26. It represented a collective commitment to intensify efforts to combat climate change. The pact called for accelerated action on several fronts, including reducing carbon emissions, increasing climate finance, and enhancing adaptation efforts.

One of the key elements of the Glasgow Climate Pact was the emphasis on reducing the use of coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel. The pact also urged countries to revisit and strengthen their climate commitments by 2022, to align with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Global Collaboration at Cop26

Cop26 was not just about negotiations among governments. It was a platform for global collaboration, bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), businesses, and civil society groups played a crucial role in shaping the outcomes of the conference. Cop26 Glasgow was a hub of activity, with events, workshops, and discussions taking place alongside the official negotiations.

This collaboration was vital in ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders were heard. It also helped to build momentum for climate action, both during the conference and beyond. Cop26 demonstrated that addressing climate change requires a united effort from all sectors of society.

Challenges and Criticisms of Cop26

While Cop26 achieved significant progress, it was not without its challenges and criticisms. Some critics argued that the commitments made at Cop26 were not ambitious enough to meet the scale of the climate crisis. 

• Lack of Ambitious Commitments: Critics argued that the commitments made at Cop26 were not ambitious enough to effectively address the scale of the climate crisis, particularly in terms of emission reductions.
• Insufficient Climate Finance: Despite promises, developed countries did not fully meet the $100 billion annual climate finance goal, raising concerns about the adequacy of support for vulnerable nations.
• Coal Phase-Down Language: The final agreement used the term “phase down” instead of “phase out” regarding coal, which was seen as a significant weakening of the original language and a compromise that may slow down global decarbonization efforts.
• Inequity in Negotiations: Developing countries and marginalized communities felt underrepresented and sidelined during negotiations. Many expressed concerns that the discussions around loss and damage did not adequately consider their needs and voices.
• Gap Between Promises and Action: People expressed skepticism about the gap between the promises made at Cop26 and the actual implementation of those promises.. Many feared that the lack of binding enforcement mechanisms would result in unfulfilled commitments.
• Shortcomings in Addressing Loss and Damage: Many felt that recognizing loss and damage was important, but they criticized the financial and structural support as insufficient to address the severe impacts already being experienced by vulnerable countries.
• Criticism of Private Sector Involvement: The increased involvement of the private sector. Some welcomed the increased involvement of the private sector, but others criticized it, questioning whether businesses would prioritize profit over meaningful climate action.

Conclusion

Cop26 was a landmark event in the global effort to combat climate change. Held in Glasgow, Scotland, Cop26 brought together world leaders, activists, and experts to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The conference resulted in significant achievements, including the Glasgow Climate Pact, and introduced new initiatives to enhance global climate action. However, the true legacy of Cop26 will depend on the actions taken in the years to come.

Cop26 UPSC Notes

1. Cop26 was held in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2021, focusing on global climate action and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. 2. The Glasgow Climate Pact was a key outcome, urging countries to strengthen their climate commitments and reduce coal usage. 3. Developed countries committed to mobilizing $100 billion annually to support developing nations in their climate efforts. 4. Over 100 countries pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 through the Global Methane Pledge. 5. The conference emphasized halting deforestation by 2030, with significant commitments from countries covering 85% of the world’s forests. 6. Cop26 highlighted the need for stronger adaptation and resilience measures, particularly in vulnerable regions most affected by climate change. 7. The summit faced criticism for insufficient climate finance, a gap between promises and action, and concerns over the inclusivity of negotiations. 8. Private sector involvement was encouraged at Cop26, but skepticism remained about whether businesses would prioritize profit over meaningful climate action.

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