The COP26 train left some people behind
Welcome to the COP26 Daily Tracker!
Climate Tracker’s team of journalists is reporting both from Glasgow and virtually from various countries.
Check out our round-up from Day 1!
Stories from our fellows
In spite of the harsh climate impacts the country is currently facing, Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, is absent from COP26. As our Brazilian fellow - Guilherme Justino - points out in his story, the South American country was also the only member of the G20 to retreat from the goal of reducing global warming emissions.
Keeping within Latin America, Argentina's environmental problems have become much more radical. Burdened by debt, drought, and increasingly intense forest fires, how will the country handle the energy transition? As Julieta reports, Argentina’s situation regarding the environment is dramatic and the country’s government continues to prepare for the development of new oil and gas projects. Regardless of its green pledges, the country invests 90 times more money in fossil fuels than in renewables, Clara reported in this other story.
While governments get ready to discuss a way forward though, young people are pretty much fed up with “empty talk.” As Ronald Musoke writes, Uganda’s youth have outlined a clear idea of what they believe should be the priorities at COP26. Some young activists fear the loss of things that cannot be compensated financially, such as cultures and traditions.
Youth has played an important role in climate action in the last couple of years, with Greta’s climate strikes inspiring a global movement. However, some young activists in the Caribbean have faced enormous barriers to attend COP26, Zico reports. Most UN-designated young climate ambassadors from this region won’t be able to attend COP.
What’s happening at COP anyway?
Weak outcomes at G20: Same as with the G7 summit in May, the G20 meeting ended this weekend without a coal phase out among some of the world’s biggest emitters. The UN says the world needs to halve emissions by 2030, but current policies instead lead us to a 15% increase. Boris Johnson said. “If we are going to prevent COP26 from being a failure then that must change.” The meeting also ended with this infamous coin toss, hoping for good luck to tackle climate change?
First appearances: The COP26 started with some high level speeches, notably from US president, Joe Biden, who said “the United States is not only back at the table, but hopefully leading by the power of our example.” China’s president, Xi Jinping, on his part, sent out a written speech without any major announcements, after launching a new NDC last week. Other notable in-person absences came from small Pacific islands, many of which were not able to send government representatives to COP26 due to high costs and travel restrictions.
An agenda was adopted on Sunday for COP26: One notable item that was left out was Bolivia’s request to discuss “Equitable, fair, ambitious, urgent, and real” measures to keep the 1.5°C goal alive. On the other hand, we’ll have for the first time a ministerial dialogue on climate finance under the Paris Agreement. This year, rich nations are likely to miss the $100 billion a year target of climate finance for developing countries. Instead, they’re aiming to meet this target in 2023.
First announcements: Ecuador announced the creation of a new marine reserve, which will add 60.000 km2 to Galapagos Island. Meanwhile, the small islands states of Antigua & Barbuda and Tuvalu launched a Commission to explore legal ways to make polluters pay for loss and damage in small islands.
Today’s heroes and villains
The Villain: Our villain for today is the COP26 organization itself, whose actions didn’t allow for full participation of developing nations. Large lines outside the venue and even controlling political messages were also reported. Do better!
The Heroes: Antigua & Barbuda and Tuvalu’s conference was badass. The small islands launched an effort to make polluters pay with legal actions. Let’s hear it for them!
Here’s to hoping this week produces more than flamboyant speeches and photo opportunities. ☕