The Glasgow climate pact passed yesterday during the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) reflects the lack of political will of world leaders to end the climate crisis.
We reiterate that the commitments brought by countries, organizations, and institutions to the table are not enough to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. Announcements made during the conference, including new pledges to cut emissions this decade, are still estimated to result in a 2.4 degrees world.
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We also express disappointment on the failure of Parties to agree to “phase out” coal, develop a joint plan that will ensure the yearly delivery of the committed $100 billion of climate finance to developing countries, and set up specific facilities for reparation for the communities enduring the impacts of developed world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Nevertheless, we acknowledge the progress made on several fronts, including
- The inclusion of “fossil fuels” in the final COP26 text—the first appearance of the world despite it being the main cause of human-induced climate change;
- The call to “phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies,” which sends a signal of the end of the fossil fuel era;
- The call for the developed world to “at least double their collective provision of climate finance for adaptation” to developing countries; and
- The effort to ratchet up global climate ambitions by urging big carbon polluting nations to submit stronger emission cutting pledges by the end of next year, instead of revisiting them in 2025 as required by the Paris Agreement.
For us in the Climate Reality Philippines, COP26 was “an incremental step forward” rather than the “monumental leap” needed to ensure a livable planet for all.
Thus, the fight continues. Our work on climate education, grassroots mobilization for climate solutions, and lobbying for systemic changes must and will intensify moving forward.
About The Climate Reality Project Philippines
The Climate Reality Project Philippines is a non-profit organization dedicated to using strategic communications and grassroots strategies to educate government and private sector leaders and the public about the urgency and solvability of the climate crisis. It is home to a collaborative, diverse, and multi-disciplinary community of more than 1,200 Pinoy Climate Reality Leaders innovating to drive real climate solutions from the ground up.