New measures to help stop climate change after COP26

COP26, attended by more than 190 world leaders and government representatives, ends with new measures, though hardly better than those proposed in previous documents, because there is still no clear position on ending the financing of fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal.  

With respect to the above, the position of gradually eliminating subsidies to fossil fuels classified as "inefficient" is still maintained, which will not prevent oil and coal economies to stop exploring and exploiting new fields.   

For her part, Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International, expressed dissatisfaction with the few steps that will be taken to eliminate fossil fuel funding, although she acknowledged that it is a small step toward change.  

"The language on coal and subsidies now includes a reference to a just transition and that is welcome," he added.  

Also, he stated that, if the measures were not carried out, young people, history and those most vulnerable to the climate crisis would soon respond.  

"It's a wake-up call to the fossil fuel interests, the agreement is weak, but if they scrap it they will have to answer to the youth, to the people on the front lines of climate impacts and ultimately to history."  

At the Summit, emphasis was also placed on "scaling up energy efficiency measures" as well as keeping the maximum temperature rise to 1.5ºC and reaching $100 billion per year in international funding for climate change action.  

However, the latter was cancelled after announcing the new deadline in time for the next summit in Egypt, COP27, because the current figure is some $20 billion short of the target.  

This target consisted of a commitment by the richest countries to add $100 billion per year from that date to ensure that the most vulnerable countries would be able to tackle the climate crisis by transforming their economies. 

As for keeping temperatures at 1.5ºC, Alok Sharma, president of COP26, said: "We can credibly say that we have managed to keep the 1.5 degree target alive, but its pulse is weak and it will only survive if we keep the promises and translate the commitments into action". 

Likewise, the executive director of Greenpeace International communicated on her social networks, "The text is tame, weak and the 1.5 degree Celsius target is barely alive, but a signal has been sent that the era of coal is ending. And that matters." 

However, Gabriela Bucher, executive director of Oxfam International, sharply criticized the lack of action by world leaders to curb climate change.  "This derisory outcome is like turning a deaf ear to the suffering of millions of people both now and in the future."  

"Emissions continue to rise and we are dangerously close to losing this race against time," Bucher stated. 

Also, he adds, "The doubling commitment is below what developing countries asked for and need, but if it is met, it will increase support to developing countries by billions." 

Despite this, Bucher still sees no significant change from world leaders to curb the climate crisis. "It is painful that diplomatic efforts have once again failed to address the scale of this crisis." 

Likewise, Lourdes Benavides, head of climate justice at Oxfam Intermón, points out that, as far as the Spanish government is concerned, "it has done its homework with the publication of the Climate Change and Energy Transition Law this year, but it should propose greater ambition and adjust to the climate evidence." 

For his part, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres declared: "Our fragile planet is hanging by a thread and we are still knocking on the door of a climate catastrophe". 

During the Summit, a new commitment was also announced between the United States and China to boost cooperation on climate change by taking action on methane emissions, the transition to clean energy, and decarbonization.   

According to the joint statement, the two countries will "evoke their strong commitment to work together" to achieve the 1.5ºC temperature rise target.   

As the two largest emitters of CO2, this joint commitment is considered vital to achieving this goal.    

On the UK side, despite assuming the presidency of COP26, Prime Minister Boris Johnson did not take a very prominent role during the summit, although at the last G20 meeting he placed great emphasis on taking more drastic measures to curb the consequences of climate change.  

Despite countries pledging to take further action, few opted to make the commitments legally binding, so most will rely on self-monitoring, although it is expected that more and more countries will be tuned in to achieve emissions neutrality by 2050.