Eight pages of A4 that could, literally, change our world
Today’s action is a piece of reading – just eight pages of text.
Please read the agreement from COP 26 – now known as The Glasgow Climate Pact – at this link: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/cop26_auv_2f_cover_decision.pdf
If you’ve read about climate change, even if only in the mainstream media, you’ll know how important it is that global action is taken. This document sums up what over 190 countries agreed to do at the COP 26 meeting in late 2021.
In a few years we will be able to judge those countries against their promises of course.
In the meantime, have a read to put our individual responsibilities into context.
What this is all about – more details
In November 2021 representatives of 197 countries met at the Conference of the Parties 26 (COP26) meeting in Glasgow, Scotland. The objective was to make decisions and secure commitment to action to address greenhouse gas emissions and the resulting global warming, which is leading to climate change, melting ice caps and rising sea levels. Many believe that our very existence is threatened by this major global problem.
Whether you believe the outcome is “good enough” or not, it is important to read, try and understand, and formulate your own views, rather than relying on sensationalist media or social media. The problem is serious, and we all have a role to play, but it starts – we believe – with understanding what is happening.
The United Nations’ press release after the event told us:
COP26 Reaches Consensus on Key Actions to Address Climate Change
Adaptation, mitigation and finance are all strengthened in a complex and delicate balance supported by all Parties.
After six years of strenuous negotiations, pending items that prevented the full implementation of the Paris Agreement on carbon markets and transparency have finally been approved … … The package adopted today is a global compromise that reflects a delicate balance between the interests and aspirations of nearly the 200 Parties to the core instruments on the international regime that governs global efforts against climate change.
Under the UK presidency and with the support of the UNFCCC Secretariat, delegates forged agreements that strengthen ambition in the three pillars of collective climate action.
Adaptation was the object of particular emphasis during the deliberations. Parties established a work programme to define the global goal on adaptation, which will identify collective needs and solutions to the climate crisis already affecting many countries … … Finance was extensively discussed throughout the session and there was consensus in the need to continue increasing support to developing countries … … On mitigation, the persistent gap in emissions has been clearly identified and Parties collectively agreed to work to reduce that gap and to ensure that the world continues to advance during the present decade, so that the rise in the average temperature is limited to 1.5 degrees. Parties are encouraged to strengthen their emissions reductions and to align their national climate action pledges with the Paris Agreement.
Alok Sharma, UK President of COP26 said:
We can now say with credibility that we have kept 1.5 degrees alive. But, its pulse is weak and it will only survive if we keep our promises and translate commitments into rapid action. I am grateful to the UNFCCC for working with us to deliver a successful COP26.”
Take action
Be informed. Take a little time to read this document and if it prompts questions, to explore the topic further online. However we do recommend that you stick to reliable established sources of information, and mainstream respected media.
It is quite an achievement for 197 countries to have agreed on a single text – in fact it has never happened before.
As global citizens, we have a responsibility to do our own part in making these promises by nations to each other and to us a reality. Please put aside politics and consider the achievement, and what you can do to help.
You can read and/or download the document from this link: https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/cop26_auv_2f_cover_decision.pdf
If you haven’t done so already, please sign up to our bulletin “Take Action” using the form below, and thank you for your support.