By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL (TURKISH JOURNAL)- On Wednesday, the first draft agreement of decisions that summit parties will negotiate was published by the UK presidency of the 26th session of the UN Climate Change Conference. The draft will be issued on Friday and focuses primarily on reducing carbon emissions and advises immediate action to limit global temperature to no more than 1.5 C. The agreement highlights how crucial multilateralism is as well as international cooperation in achieving climate change goals across the board. The agreement also recommends significantly increasing financing to developing countries to assist them in meeting their climate goals.
The six-page draft agreement from the UN Climate Agency also underscored the importance of safeguarding a sustainable, resilient and inclusive global recovery especially due to the effects of the COVID-pandemic and showing specific solidarity with developing countries. In addition, the agreement focuses on the crucial role of civil society – including youth and indigenous peoples -indigenous peoples in addressing and responding to climate change, also emphasizing an urgent need to act. The draft text urges parties to “revisit and strengthen the 2030 targets in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) as necessary to align with the Paris Agreement temperature goal by the end of 2022.”
Other significant features of the agreement include a focus on equity as well as common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in light of different national circumstances. The agreement calls on countries to be cognizant of human rights, gender issues, youth participation and empowerment, poverty alleviation, climate justice and the integrity of Earth in the context of sustainable development. The conference wraps up on Friday and until then there will be more panels, meetings and side events seeking resolutions to reduce global warming by aiming to maintain the targe of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Multiple heads of state and government, in addition to 25,000 additional delegates from 200 countries are attending COP26.
Meanwhile, COP26 President Alok Sharma told those attending that getting consensus between 200 countries is a daunting challenge but at the same time Sharma highlighted what he called the “constructive spirit” of the climate talks. He said countries must focus on the commitments they made last week at the talks. One major setback to the success of COP26 is the climate stance from Saudi Arabia who has balked at giving up on fossil fuel use. Greenpeace International Director Jennifer Morgan expressed serious concerns about efforts from the Saudi government to destabilize COP26. Last Friday, Saudi negotiators moved to block negotiations taking place over the creation of the ‘cover decision’ or the final text of the agreement. The cover decision is the ultimate message coming out of the conference that signals what the final outcome means for the world. It is a crucial part of any summit. The Saudi government also blocked efforts on climate adaptation which is the effort to assist millions with the results of rising temperatures. Lack of progress on adaptation would make it very difficult for African nations to welcome any final agreement, resulting in a much less successful outcome at COP26.
Since all decisions require a consensus across 196 countries Saudi Arabia could be the deciding factor that makes or breaks COP26 progress. Morgan commented: “Saudi Arabia is making its play. They’re at the chess board manipulating the pieces in an effort to stop the outcome that keepsT 1.5 C within reach. The push on Friday night to block a cover decision was a textbook effort to strip ambition from the final text, while the move to dilute substance on the on the adaptation goal was designed to ensure vulnerable countries don’t get the support they need and therefore can’t sign up to a meaningful agreement at the end of this week. It’s smart, strategic and utterly cynical. Other governments now need to isolate the Saudi delegation if they want this COP26 to succeed for everyone not just fossil fuel succeeds.”
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