It was a meeting of superlatives – the biggest climate summit of all time!
Almost 200 states, 40,000 delegates, 13 days of negotiations. In the end, an agreement with 97 more or less specific resolutions!
Nevertheless, the following applies: after the summit is before the summit.
Because: The final document of the 26th climate summit (also called “COP26”), which was presented 24 hours late on Saturday, is full of declarations of intent that must now be filled with life by the end of 2022 and in the years thereafter.
BILD names the decisive passages.
The 1.5 degree goal
The “Glasgow Climate Pact” formulates the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to the pre-industrial age more clearly than the Paris Climate Agreement signed six years ago.
The pact says that all states would “strive” to achieve this goal. The states are asked to improve their climate targets for 2030 by the end of next year.
Reduce greenhouse gases
Overall, the Glasgow resolution calls for greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) to throttle globally by 45 percent below the 2010 level by 2030. Contrary to what has been called for by many countries, the final document does not explicitly make the largest greenhouse gas producers – i.e. the G20 countries – responsible.
Coal exit
For the first time in the final document of a climate conference, a specific climate protection measure is named: The states are called upon to turn away from coal-based power generation and to abolish subsidies for fossil fuels.
This passage was gradually weakened in the course of the conference by the emerging countries India and China. Now the Glasgow decision only refers to “inefficient” subsidies and coal, where CO is concerned2 cannot be saved using CCS technology. However, each signatory state can define the term “inefficient” for itself …
Financial aid to vulnerable countries
The industrialized countries have so far not kept their promise to provide 100 billion US dollars annually for climate protection and adaptation in poor countries. The Glasgow Declaration calls on industrialized countries to fill the gap. A plan drawn up by Germany and Canada to meet the target by 2023 is highlighted. The final document also states the need to at least double the funds for adaptation measures by 2025.
▶ ︎ In order to cope with climate-related damage and losses, the “Glasgow Climate Pact” promises the developing countries additional support.
An independent institutional framework – such as a fund for aid projects – is not mentioned. This blocked a demand made by many poor countries. Industrialized countries like the USA fear legal claims for compensation if they acknowledge their responsibility for damage through financial obligations.
Reporting requirement
The Glasgow Climate Pact “encourages” the states to align their future climate plans for five years. From now on it will be possible to compare who does how much and who does what.
▶ ︎ Some countries had asked for an additional annual balance sheet to be drawn up.
The delegates agreed on a transparent review of the national climate plans, which must be submitted to the United Nations. From 2024, the signatories will have to report on their emissions balance every two years – i.e. specifically report how many greenhouse gases they have blown into the air. The same applies to industrialized countries: They have to regularly prove which climate projects they have initiated, financed and completed.
CO2 trade
The delegates agreed rules for a cross-border market for CO2-Certificates or compensation projects such as wind turbines or the felling of forests. Such projects can now be exchanged or bought by countries in order to improve their own carbon footprint.
Additional passages are intended to prevent projects from being counted twice – i.e. from the country in which the project was implemented and in the country that paid for it. According to the German Secretary of State for the Environment, Jochen Flasbarth, such double bookings are now ruled out.
Special pact between China and the USA
Unexpectedly, the two largest greenhouse gas producers, China and the USA, announced an intensified cooperation. The rapprochement was considered unlikely until the end, because geopolitical tensions are affecting the relationship between the two countries.
▶ ︎ In a joint declaration, both sides acknowledge that between the previous commitments to the CO2-Reduction and the Paris goals there is a gap. Exchange and cooperation have been announced, among other things, in the expansion of renewable energies, the reduction of the greenhouse gas methane, decarbonization and forest protection.
The fact is: the world’s climate problems cannot be solved without China. China is responsible for around 30 percent of global emissions. So far, Beijing has promised to cut its emissions around 2030. Conversely: Until then, they will continue to rise. If it stays that way, there is no way of meeting the 1.5 degree limit.
Analysts say: China should bring the date forward to 2025 at the latest. Even if the current Glasgow Declaration does not contain this stipulation, the chances of the Beijing leadership relenting are better than ever …
Germany’s Environment Minister Svenja Schulze (53, SPD) praised the Glasgow Pact: “The fossil fuel age is coming to an end, the energy transition is becoming a model worldwide.” Stand in the way of good people. And this is good. “
The Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, expressed his disillusionment. The new climate agreement is “an important step, but it is not enough. It’s time to go into emergency mode. “
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