Tag: Paris Agreement

Alok Sharma: “We must turn the COP26 promises into action”

COP26 President Alok Sharma will take part in two key climate events in Sweden this week to continue the drive for countries to turn pledges made in the Glasgow Climate Pact into action ahead of COP27 in Egypt.

  • COP President Alok Sharma in Sweden this week to take part in Ministerial on Climate Action and Stockholm +50 climate event
  • Mr Sharma to push forward on the outcomes from the May Ministerial on Implementation on mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and finance for climate action
  • Delivering the commitments made at the COP26 World Leaders Summit on Forests and Land Use will be focus of side event led by UK ahead of Stockholm +50

COP26 President Alok Sharma will take part in two key climate events in Sweden this week to continue the drive for countries to turn pledges made in the Glasgow Climate Pact into action ahead of COP27 in Egypt.

Tomorrow, (Tuesday 31 May) Mr Sharma will speak in Stockholm at the Ministerial on Climate Action (MOCA), co-hosted by Canada, the EU and China, which is focused on the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Mr Sharma will then take part in Stockholm +50, which is organised by the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate 50 years since the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, and meet ministers at related side-events.

At MOCA, the COP President will reflect on the achievements made at COP26, which kept the goal of global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees alive, while cementing progress on finance for climate action, adaptation and loss and damage.

Mr Sharma will also discuss the outcomes from the May Ministerial on Implementation, co-hosted by Egypt and the UK in Copenhagen two weeks ago, which renewed political focus on the necessity of delivering on the Glasgow Climate Pact, and the clear steps that must be taken to achieve this.

Mr Sharma will echo the May Ministerial’s consensus that countries should revisit their 2030 emissions reductions targets before COP27 and strengthen them with workable plans if they do not align with the temperature goals set out in the Paris Agreement.

He will outline the need for scaling up and providing timely access to finance for countries working to adapt to the effects of climate change, as well as delivering on scaling up resources for loss and damage, and ensuring that finance is flowing to climate action.

Mr. Sharma will also meet with a delegation of parents from around the world to talk about the impacts of burning fossil fuels on children’s health.

This follows a meeting between the COP President and a group of mothers at COP26 in Glasgow, where they presented a letter on behalf of nearly 500 parents’ organisations – representing millions of members from 44 countries – calling for an end to new fossil fuels.

The parents attending the meeting with Mr. Sharma are from the UK, India, Poland, Sweden and Colombia.

Speaking ahead of his visit to Sweden COP26 President Alok Sharma said: “At COP26, countries seized the opportunity to act. We showed leadership, worked together and embraced progress to agree the historic Glasgow Climate Pact.

“Six months on from COP26, the world has changed. These events in Sweden are taking place against the backdrop of Putin’s brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine. Inflation, debt, and food insecurity are growing challenges. Many across the world are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.

“So once again, we have must demonstrate that these threats have increased, not diminished, our determination to deliver on the Pact. Let us now pick up the pace on delivering a net zero, climate-resilient transition ahead of COP27.

“We must accelerate progress on phasing down coal and ending inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, on our NDCs, finance, adaptation, and loss and damage. We must turn the promises and commitments of the Glasgow Climate Pact into action.”

The COP President will chair a ministerial meeting on climate, forests and land use in the margins of Stockholm +50 on Wednesday, focusing on delivering the commitments made at the COP26 World Leaders Summit on Forests and Land Use, including the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use.

This declaration was endorsed by 143 countries at COP26, and if delivered upon will provide 10% of the emissions reduction needed by 2030 to keep 1.5C alive. Minister for the Pacific and the International Environment Lord Goldsmith will be the Minister representing the UK at the meeting.

Increasing the scale and pace of delivery of adaptation finance and accelerating action on the ground will be the focus of the second Stockholm +50 side event Mr Sharma will be taking part in.

Ministers at the “Fast-tracking resilience building and adaptation” event are expected to emphasise that developed countries must deliver on the commitment to double the levels of finance for adaptation to the effects of climate change by 2025, as well as improving the quality of and access to adaptation finance.

Scotland signs up to UNICEF declaration on children, youth and climate action

Scotland has committed to honour the rights of children in the fight against the climate crisis, by signing the UNICEF declaration on children, youth and climate action.

The declaration, which was drafted by children and young people, calls on signatories to uphold the priorities of children and youth throughout the world in the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Signatories commit to advocating for children’s inalienable right to a healthy environment and to enhancing the meaningful participation of children and young people in climate change discussion and action.

Scotland recently hosted the UN Conference of Youth ahead of COP26 and has invested almost £1 million in a programme to engage young people in the climate conference and legacy activity.

The First Minister formally signed the declaration during COP26, and the launch event is being attended by the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Green Skills Lorna Slater. Scotland becomes the 28th country to have signed up so far.

The First Minister said: “Children and young people are driving climate action and it is vital that we listen to their views and harness their passion at COP26 and beyond.

“The global climate crisis is a children’s rights crisis.  So we must make sure that the rights of children and young people are promoted and protected as we tackle it. To do this, we have to give young people a place at the table and a role in decision-making, so they have a real voice in how we respond to a threat that will shape their lives.

“I am proud that Scotland is joining nations across the world in signing this declaration, and committing to listening to and respecting the needs and wishes of young people as we work to deliver the goals of the Paris climate agreement.

“Signing the Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action is an important step all governments can take to formally recognise a child’s right to a healthy environment.

“Here in Scotland we are determined to deliver the highest protection possible for children’s rights, which is why we remain committed to becoming the first devolved nation in the world to directly incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into domestic law, to the maximum extent possible.”

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie last night thanked the people of Glasgow for enabling Police Scotland to deliver a safe and secure COP26.

Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “Today we continued to support the visit of puppet Little Amal to Glasgow, and facilitated a number of protests.

“I hope this spirit continues right through the conference closure as, over the past few weeks, we have sought to provide a proportionate policing response to any potential protests, balancing the needs and rights of those wishing to demonstrate or protest against the needs of the wider community.

“The wider community really means the people of Glasgow whose patience and understanding, while managing significant disruption to their daily routines, have been a key part of enabling us to deliver a safe and secure global event.

“So I would like to thank them for being so welcoming to our visitors and for being so accommodating of the large police presence and security measures – the people of the city have made this such a positive experience for those of us who have been working day and night, some of us away from home and families, on what is the largest policing operation seen in the UK for many years.

“Our stated commitment was always that the people and communities of Scotland would still receive the same high standard of service that they are accustomed to for the duration of the conference. With this in mind, we established dedicated local policing teams to ensure that local areas had the resources they require to address local community concerns throughout COP26.

“It is important to us that we understand what the experience of COP26 has been for people in Glasgow and Scotland. For this reason, we want to hear from those who have attended or experienced our policing of these events in Scotland recently.

“We value your views, so please take part in our short survey about how we are policing COP26. And lastly, thank you to all those who have taken part and left us with great memories of Glasgow and COP26.

“Eight people were arrested today with minimal disruption to the city centre and to the people who live and work there.”

COP26: Holyrood government to drive global climate action with distinctive Scottish programme

Details of the Scottish Government’s COP26 programme have been announced, kick-starting three weeks of action to secure an ambitious climate deal at COP26 in Glasgow.

The First Minister will make two key note addresses this week – setting out the Scottish Government’s ambitions for COP26 on Monday before opening the UN’s Conference of Youth on Thursday.

As European Co-Chair of the Under2 Coalition, the Scottish Government will use its platform to encourage devolved, regional and state governments to agree ambitious climate action – and push national governments to go further and faster.

The Scottish Government will co-host the Multi-level Action Pavilion in the official COP Blue Zone to showcase the vital role of states and regions in the international response to the climate crisis.

The pavilion will be opened on 1 November and Scotland will also play a prominent role in the Peatland, Nordic and Cryosphere Pavilions in the Blue Zone.

The First Minister will also take part in formal Presidency events that will profile the action and ambitions of women, young people and states and join the UN High Level Champions to promote the role that can be played by governments at all levels in tackling climate change.

To showcase the best of Scotland’s innovative low carbon businesses, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise have joined forces to create Scotland’s Climate Ambition Zone, at the Lighthouse in Glasgow. With over 60 in-person or hybrid events, it will be a shop window of the best of Scotland’s climate action.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said: “Scotland is ready to play its part in delivering success at what will be one of the most important global gatherings of the 21st century.

“This must be the moment that the world moves from promises to action. For COP26 to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, governments at all levels, businesses, civil society and communities need to work together to agree ambitious actions and the finance and resources needed to deliver them.

“Scottish Ministers will participate in events and discussions throughout COP and we will use our position as co-chair of the Under 2 Coalition to help deliver that ambition, and to demonstrate that global climate action requires ambitious action by governments at all levels.

“This is also a unique opportunity to showcase Scotland to the world – including what our businesses and communities are doing to meet our world-leading climate targets.”

Alok Sharma brings 51 countries together for ‘critical’ climate discussions ahead of COP26

51 countries – but no seat for Scotland

  • Ministers arrive in London to discuss key issues that require resolution at COP26
  • COP26 President hopes to build common ground and sketch the outline of the Glasgow outcome ahead of summit
  • US, India, China among 50+ countries represented at two-day ministerial meeting in a combination of virtual and in-person attendance

Today [Sunday] the COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma, will bring climate and environment ministers and representatives from more than 50 countries together to lay the groundwork for success ahead of November’s COP26 negotiations.

The event marks the first face-to-face ministerial of its kind in more than 18 months. With fewer than 100 days to go until the critical UN climate change conference, Mr Sharma is convening the meeting in London to shape the vision of the final outcomes from COP26, and build a “unity of purpose to deliver them”.

The two-day meeting will see major emitters like the US and China in discussion with countries that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as Jamaica, Costa Rica, Rwanda and The Marshall Islands.

The ministerial will cover the UK COP Presidency’s key goal of keeping the critical 1.5C temperature rise limit alive. Topics under discussion include mobilising climate finance, scaling up efforts to adapt to the impacts of climate change, loss and damage caused by climate change, and finalising the “rulebook” for implementation of the Paris Agreement, with a focus on Article 6, which sets out how countries can reduce emissions using international carbon markets and non-market approaches.

Ahead of the ministerial, Alok Sharma said: “We are facing perilous times for our planet and the only way we will safeguard its future is if countries are on the same path. As ministers responsible for tackling climate change, we hold the weight of the world on our shoulders, and the next two days will be nothing short of critical.

“With Parties coming from differing standpoints and perspectives, the world will be watching to see whether we come together in Glasgow and do what is necessary to turn things around in this decisive decade. So it is essential that together we roll up our sleeves, find common ground and collectively draw out how we will build a greener, brighter future for our children and future generations.

The UK intends for the informal, closed-door meeting to encourage frank conversations so that Parties can find ways forward when they meet again in November.

The COP26 President added: “Ministers should not be afraid to draw out areas of disagreement whilst maintaining a spirit of cooperation. I hope that we can use this opportunity to discuss tangible solutions, and that our friends leave this meeting with a clearer vision of the final outcomes from Glasgow, as well as a unity of purpose to deliver them.

Mr Sharma will remind ministers that to achieve the goal of keeping 1.5 degrees within reach, we must put the planet on a path to driving down emissions with mid-century net zero commitments and ambitious 2030 emissions reduction targets; protect people and nature from the impacts of climate change; get finance flowing to climate action, and work together to ensure the negotiations are a success. He will also stress the need for urgent action to phase out coal and internal combustion engine vehicles, as well as to end deforestation.

And he will reiterate his commitment to ensuring all voices are heard throughout the COP26 process. While the majority of participants will attend in person so as to build strong inter-ministerial relationships ahead of Glasgow, the COP Presidency has facilitated virtual participation for those unable to travel to London.

Representatives from the following Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are expected to participate:

  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • Denmark
  • DRC
  • Egypt
  • Ethiopia
  • European Union
  • Fiji
  • France
  • Gabon
  • Germany
  • Grenada
  • Guinea
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Kenya
  • The Marshall Islands
  • Morocco
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Peru
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • Rwanda
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey
  • UAE
  • USA

100 Days until COP26

Scotland makes international pledge to help deliver the Paris Agreement 

With 100 days until COP26 comes to Glasgow, Scotland has set out how it will help meet the global goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The indicative Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) published today (23 July) outlines Scotland’s contribution to preventing warming of more than 1.5 degrees.

Scotland is understood to be the first government that is not a formal party to the Paris Agreement to publish an indicative NDC.

While only parties to the Paris Agreement may submit NDCs, the Scottish Government committed to publishing an indicative NDC as an sign of Scotland’s commitment to joining and leading the international effort on tackling climate change. Its publication was a 100 day commitment for the government.

The indicative NDC reflects Scotland’s distinctive framework of statutory emissions reduction targets, in particular our world-leading 2030 target to reduce emissions of all major greenhouse gases by at least 75%. It also sets out our approach to achieving these ambitious targets, with a commitment to deliver a just transition at its heart.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said: “With COP26 coming to Glasgow, Scotland has a unique opportunity to show leadership on climate action on the international stage.

“I’m proud to publish this pledge, setting out how Scotland is contributing to the global aims of the Paris Agreement. By highlighting our own action, we hope to inspire others to raise their ambition.

“COP26 represents the world’s best chance – and possibly one of our last chances – to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. We are working hard with our delivery partners to make sure the event is safe and secure and to create a platform for agreeing decisive climate action.”

As part of the climate agreement negotiated in Paris in 2015, signatories must publish NDCs – plans that set out their action to contribute to the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees ( with “further efforts” to limit it to no more than 1.5 degrees).

While taking centre stage at November’s international event is something to look forward to, the Scottish Government has pressing local issues to deal with before then. The number of Covid cases in Scotland remains worryingly high and 22 deaths were recorded yesterday – the highest figure for four months.

UK cities lead on Global Climate Action Goals

Five years into the Paris Agreement – and in the lead-up to the 2021 UN climate negotiations in Glasgow – UK cities are taking bold climate action. Cities worldwide have much to learn from their UK peers’ successes and challenges, according to a new report by the 1000 CITIES Initiative, which aims to mobilise 1,000 cities to respond to the climate crisis. 

“Leading British cities are responding to the climate emergency by moving forward with effective and innovative climate policies, including ambitious targets, carbon budgets, and unique approaches to community engagement,” said Rebecca Foon, co-founder of the 1000 CITIES Initiative. “Other cities should take note of their approaches to cutting carbon emissions. Communities around the world need to accelerate climate action to hit the Paris Targets.”

UK cities have some of the world’s most ambitious climate targets, with many adopting goals to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2030, according to the 1000 CITIES Climate Action Best Practices in UK Cities report.

In contrast, many leading North American cities have action plans that aim to reach the same goal by 2050. Others are planning for an 80% or smaller emissions reductions over the next three decades—an aspiration that we now know will not prevent dangerous levels of global warming.

“One of the key messages which Glasgow is issuing to the world as host city for COP26 is that it is cities which are leading on the delivery of national ambitions for a low-carbon and climate resilient future,” said Duncan Booker, Chief Resilience Officer and COP26 Stakeholder Manager at Glasgow City Council.

“It was our cities that generated the first industrial revolution and it will be our cities that lead a just transition to a greener, cleaner economy and society.”

One notable strategy that has enabled British cities to set ambitious targets is their approach to community engagement, according to the report, which is based on research on 12 UK local governments, including Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Oxford and Somerset.

The research was carried out by Sustainability Solutions Group (SSG), a leading North American climate planning consultancy, and funded by the Rothschild Foundation, a UK-based charitable trust focused on the arts and humanities, the environment, and social welfare.

“Almost every city we studied had some sort of community coalition or engagement process that brought together charities, businesses, academic institutions, and other local groups. The communities collectively took ownership for climate action,” said Julia Meyer-MacLeod, Principal at SSG.

“In some cases, the community coalitions themselves were responsible for or even helped to write the local climate action plan,” added Meyer-MacLeod. “This not only gave Councils confidence to pass ambitious climate plans, but enabled cities to hit the ground running with climate actions that were pre-approved by local industry and community groups.”

For example, in 2019, Oxford became the first city to create a citizens assembly on climate change. The assembly, which was livestreamed on social media, brought together a group representative of the City, including members from all major political parties, climate and social scientists, business sector representatives, and community organisations.

These citizens identified a widespread desire for Oxford to be a leader in tackling the climate crisis, prompting the City to commit an additional £1,040,000 to its climate action efforts and laying the foundation for it to undertake the most ambitious smart grid trials in the UK.

Applying a “climate lens” to all Council decisions is another best practice highlighted in the report. More than half of the 12 cities featured in the report have implemented a climate lens. The City of Leeds, for example, requires all reports to Council to provide details on the climate implications of proposed decisions. In addition, a report is presented at each Council meeting outlining progress towards emissions reduction targets.

“Climate lenses help to ensure that councils stay accountable to their climate pledges,” said Meyer-MacLeod. “Leading cities have also taken their accountability measures to the next level by creating carbon budgets that set a cap on how much greenhouse gas they can emit – ever.”

More than half of the 12 local governments have implemented or are considering carbon budgets, which set annual, declining caps on GHG emissions, aligned with the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

“By implementing carbon budgets, cities like London, Manchester, and Oxford are doing their part to significantly limit the severity of extreme heat, sea level rise, and other effects of global warming,” said Meyer-MacLoed. “It is critical for cities around the world to follow their lead to limit catastrophic climate change.”

The complete 1000 CITIES Climate Action Best Practices in UK Cities report can be found here.

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