29th July, 2021
- Climate ministers have taken a step forward towards a successful COP26 with a renewed common mission for action, but COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma says there is more work to do.
- The constructive ministerial meeting in London this week concluded with countries coming closer together on key issues such as actions to keep the 1.5C goal alive, adaptation finance and concluding the Paris rulebook.
At the two-day ministerial, convened by COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma to discuss critical negotiating issues and climate actions ahead of COP26, ministers from around the world sketched the outline of the Glasgow summit outcome and agreed collaborative ways forward to reach it.
In a boost for the COP Presidency’s goal of getting finance flowing for climate action, Germany and Canada agreed to take forward a delivery plan for mobilising the $100bn a year from developed countries that is so critically needed to help others in their fight against climate change.
Countries were clear that COP26 needed to deliver actions, not just words. Many highlighted the importance of ending coal power, coal financing and fossil fuel subsidies.
Mr Sharma welcomed the progress but stressed significant further work is needed, particularly on finance, adaptation and other crucial issues. Ministers participating at the meeting called for all countries to deliver ambitious NDCs and long-term strategies towards net zero before COP26.
Ahead of the meeting, there has been a recent show of leadership from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Sir Molwyn Joseph, Antigua & Barbuda’s Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment and AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States) Chair said:
At the UK’s July Ministerial, the message from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) appears to be well received. This provides a level of hope that the major emitters are beginning to understand their responsibilities and should be committed to keeping the 1.5 degree goal in reach.
Based on the forecast and trajectory from the best available science, we must achieve drastic emission reductions between now and 2030 to keep 1.5 alive. And as AOSIS Chair, I am committed to holding all countries accountable to this target. Moreover, major emitters, especially the G20, need to redirect all fossil fuel subsidies into renewable energy investments.
Coming into the Ministerial, I was unsure whether there was a recognition of the true need for addressing loss and damage. There now appears to be greater appreciation by the conference for the fact that: 1) SIDS bear the brunt of the negative effects of climate change in real terms; and 2) major emitters must accept responsibility to support SIDS, especially when climatic events inflict serious loss and damage to their infrastructure and economies.
This has already resulted in the loss of life and disruption of livelihoods. For SIDS, this is not abstract, this is real! This is a matter of climate justice!
The organisers sought to reflect balance amongst negotiating groups and geographic regions, with invitees drawn from those who are serving as Group Chairs within the UNFCCC negotiations, and more broadly those who play an active role in the negotiations.
ENDS
Issued by the: British High Commission, Nuku’alofa
