The goal of the 26th UN climate conference was clear from the start: Measures are to be decided with which global warming can be limited to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times-as once already stipulated in Paris. There have been many promises in the past two weeks, some alliance and some pact on the COP26. There was talk of less coal, more trees and less methane.
So what did the approximately 40,000 delegates from about 200 countries announce in a decisive way? What was even decided? And what to make of it? overview:
Back to the table of contents
The Paris climate targets' governing document
What do you want to achieve? In Paris, the contracting states of the climate framework convention decided two very ambitious climate goals, but not the details. For example, the figures of the countries are not yet comparable because they refer to different periods.
Who is taking part in this? Binding on all parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change – which indirectly affects a large number of industrial sectors. This is one reason why the rule book is so controversial.
How likely is that? One of the most important goals of the COP26 can be expected that the states will make an effort. However, it is about the particularly difficult questions such as transparency and emission trade.
Back to table of contents
Leave the coal.
What do you want to achieve? It is important to promote the expansion of clean energies. They also want to accelerate the rapid shutdown of coal-fired power plants whose carbon dioxide emissions are not bound. And it is said that they do not want to end all, but only "inefficient" subsidies for fossil fuels.
Who is taking part in this? 190 Countries agreed to phase out coal.
What is to be thought of? Some of the largest producers and consumers are missing in the agreement: China, India, Australia and the USA. And the states involved in the agreement also promptly weakened their commitments after the event.
Back to table of contents
International Methane Pledge
What do you want to achieve? The agreement provides for a 30 percent reduction in methane emissions by 2030. Since methane is the second most important and extremely potent greenhouse gas over short time scales, the implementation of the project could reduce the warming of the planet by 0.2 degrees Celsius.
Who is participating? In total, more than 100 countries, which account for 70 percent of the global economy and almost half of anthropogenic methane emissions, have signed the pledge. Germany is one of them.
What is to be thought of this? If it works, the methane agreement could become the most significant outcome of COP26. The chances are surprisingly good, since in many cases the emissions are unintentional losses, for example, in the oil and gas industry or in industrial facilities. In order to reduce emissions, no fundamental changes are necessary – only measures that are similar in principle to the environmental protection measures that have been implemented in recent decades.
Back to the table of contents
Emission-free transport
What do you want to achieve? 100 percent of emission -free cars and small trucks are promised, and another agreement promises climate -neutral air traffic.
Who is participating? 33 states and 11 manufacturers signed an agreement to decarbonize car traffic by 2040. The aviation industry promises to achieve this goal by 2050.
What is to be thought of this? In addition to Germany, China and the USA, several large manufacturers such as Daimler and Volkswagen are also missing from the agreement to make cars and small trucks emission-free. This is a cause for concern, other signatories may withdraw. In the case of climate-friendly aviation, there were discussions again about whether it was really possible to be so strict with poorer countries; in addition, the industry expects a dramatic increase in the number of passengers, which should make it even more difficult to achieve the goal. The agreements are not binding anyway.
Back to the table of contents
Climate-neutral shipping
What do you want to achieve? The "Clydebank Declaration" signed at COP26 aims to make certain shipping routes climate-neutral. The first six by the middle of the decade.
Who participates? The declaration was signed by 22 countries, including the USA and Germany.
How likely is that? To achieve the goal, you have to bring together a whole range of different actors, from shipping companies to port operators. Moreover, what happens on the open sea is notoriously difficult to control. And: How big the effect really is depends on the route, which should be climate-neutral. There is a risk that those involved will limit themselves to low-traffic routes during the changeover.
Back to the table of contents
Protection of forests by Allianz
What do you want to achieve? The destruction of forests and other valuable ecosystems should be stopped by 2030 at the latest.
Who is taking part in this? More than 100 states, which have more than 85 percent of the world's forest area, that is, about 34 million square kilometers.
What is to be thought of? Not too much, as the history of such promises shows as well as details of the agreement do. A comparable deal, according to which the forest destruction was to be halved by 2020, had already been signed in 2014 and had no effect. And the new agreement is also not binding and does not even contain a definition, which actually means forest destruction.
Back to the table of contents
China and the USA — the new ideal team?
What do you want to achieve? China and the United States have announced that they will cooperate on climate issues in the future. Previously, tensions between the states and the ostentatious absence of the Chinese head of state from the opening ceremony had caused fears that major greenhouse gas polluters would not face up to their responsibilities.
Who participates? The United States and China, which jointly responsible for almost 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
What is to be made of this? The announcement came as a surprise and has created optimism. Considering that the nations have recently taken the position that the other should please start with climate protection, the new agreement at least testifies to good will effective in the media. Essentially, however, these are three pages with many vague formulations.
Back to the table of contents
Promise the 100 billion dollar
What do you want to achieve? It is a twelve-year-old promise. 100 billion per year from 2020 for climate projects – that's what the industrialized countries had promised poorer countries and not even kept in the beginning. This year it was confirmed that they wanted to pay properly very soon.
Who is taking part in this? All more developed countries that belong to the "developed country Parties (Annex II Parties)". The USA and Germany, for example.
What is to be thought of? No effective climate protection is clear without financial commitments. The promise is not credible. The United Nations had already concluded in 2020 that the 100 billion dollar destination "in all realistic scenarios" could no longer be created. It is questionable whether it will succeed until 2022. Not only that: compared to the investments that are needed to limit climate change overall, the 100 billion is only a little thing anyway.
Back to the table of contents
Gfanz for private financing
What do you want to achieve? The Glasgow Finance Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), which was founded in April 2021, brings together financial industry players with the aim of providing private capital for the transition to net-zero emission technologies.
Who participates? Gfanz is a union of several groups, each of which, among other things, banks, investors, insurance companies and ...
How likely is that? On the COP26, Gfanz reported the incredible sum of $ 130 trillion as its contribution to the 1.5-degree target. Only: On closer inspection, this is not entirely correct. These are by no means available funds, but only the balance sheet sums of the companies involved. So far, what the Alliance will contribute to the climate goals is quite unclear. It is not the case that someone would have committed to something.
Back to the table of contents
