COP26- Whatever It Takes

“Without decisive action, we are gambling away our last chance to – literally - turn the tide”, were the words uttered by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres ahead of the ‘Conference of the Parties (COP)26’. Has climate change really become such a big issue, that despite consistent efforts since the 1992 UN Climate Summit in Rio de Janeiro which included 25 COP’s, the earth has only gotten worse with climate change? It quite unfortunately seems so.

COP-26 has been hailed by leaders and media alike, as an historic summit.

COP is a yearly effort taken by the existing 197 signatories of UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to negotiate extensions to the UNFCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) to decide greenhouse gases emission limits, which vary per country, some famous extensions include the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, and the 2015 Paris Agreement, of which the latter had all countries agreeing to limit global warming to 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels. COP26 aims to finalise a ‘Paris Rulebook’ for countries to implement the agreement effectively. It is the last chance as per the UN Sec-Gen because even with major commitments before COP26, the century is predicted to see a rise unto 2.7 degrees Celsius, which could lead to 62% increase in forest fires in the Northern Hemisphere, loss of habitat and droughts ranging from four to ten months. Millions are already being displaced and killed by disasters caused by climate change. Mr. Guterres also believes 1.5 degrees warming is the only liveable future available to humans. With bold and time bound plans, greenhouse emissions can be halved in 8 years.

COP-26 calls for drastic change to reverse the effects of climate change.

Aims of COP26-

1. Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach- nations need to speed up reforestation, reduce coal usage, and adapt carbon markets

2. Adapt more to protect communities and natural habitats- help affected countries restore ecosystems, construct defences, apt infrastructure and the like

3. Mobilise finance- securing the $100 billion annual sum promised at COP15 to help achieve climate finance aims by 2025

4. Work together to deliver- cooperation between governments, business and society, while finalising the Paris Rulebook.

Can COP26 prove a life saver in times of great agony, headlined by Covid-19, and ensure the planet reaches the sustainable state which it so desperately needs?

By Dhanvanth Venkatesh