A global climate deal was agreed late on 13 November at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26. But crucially, the agreement watered down draft commitments to phase out coal, the fossil fuel that contributes the most to global warming – around 40% of carbon dioxide emissions.
The UN secretary general and scientists, including the architects of the 2015 Paris Agreement, as well as climate activists, had already warned that, while progress on commitments to tackle the causes of climate change has been made at the conference, they don’t go far enough and disaster still looms.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, commenting on the deal, said: “Our fragile planet is hanging by a thread. We are still knocking on the door of climate catastrophe.
“It is time to go into emergency mode – or our chance of reaching net zero will itself be zero.”
Science and Innovation Day at COP26 on 9 November saw the announcement of new initiatives backed by global coalitions of nations, businesses and scientists. These will support the implementation of the goals announced during the World Leaders Summit and other country commitments announced during the first week of the conference.
The United Kingdom’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, underlined the critical role of science and innovation in enabling every country to access the tools it needs to immediately reduce emissions in line with Paris temperature targets, and to adapt to the effects of climate change that we are already seeing.
The initiatives include:
• New commitments to accelerate innovation and low carbon transitions in industry and cities.
• New global Adaptation Research Alliance to increase the resilience of vulnerable communities on the frontline of climate change.
• Independent experts to track progress against the ‘Breakthrough Agenda’ announced by world leaders on 2 November, advising on action and collaboration.
• Global scientific research community to produce annual climate risk assessment to ensure the dangers are fully understood by world leaders.
Initiatives were launched that will enhance international cooperation between governments, academics, businesses and civil society and attempt to ensure science and innovation delivers for all in order to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
This included dozens of countries committing to building health systems that are able to withstand the impacts of climate change and which are low carbon and sustainable. Forty-two of the countries, representing over a third of global health care emissions, have committed to develop a sustainable, low-carbon health system, of which 12 have set a deadline of 2050 or earlier, by which their health system will reach net zero.
Vallance said: “The facts are clear: we must limit warming to 1.5°C. Thanks to science, that is feasible – the technologies are already available. Investment in research and development will deliver new clean technologies, while policies to create markets will ensure they are deployed.
“At the same time, science will help us adapt to the impacts of climate change we’re already seeing around the world and transform our economies. Through research and innovation, we will adjust essential systems and ensure continued safety, security and prosperity.”
On 4 November it was announced that at least 23 countries have made new commitments to phase out coal power, including five of the world’s top 20 coal power-using countries.
Overall, a 190-strong coalition of countries, sub-nationals and businesses has agreed to phase out coal power and end support for new coal power plants thanks to a package of support from international partners. This includes 28 new members, including Chile and Singapore.
And 20 new countries, including Vietnam, Morocco and Poland, committed to building no new coal plants, matching similar announcements over the past year by Pakistan, Malaysia and the Philippines, and building on the ‘No New Coal Power Compact’ launched in September by Sri Lanka, Chile, Montenegro and European partners.
More than 200 academics gave their own verdict on COP26 in an open letter, with signatories including Dr. Malika Virah-Sawmy of the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies Potsdam, Germany, who specialises in systems change; former French environment minister, Dr Yves Cochet at the Institut Momentum, France; Prof. Jem Bendell, founder of the Institute for Leadership and Sustainability at the University of Cumbria, UK, who is also co-editor of Deep Adaptation, and Prof. Emeritus William Rees, an expert on biophysical prerequisites for sustainability.
The signatories included PhD holders and professors from institutions including Harvard University, the University of Edinburgh, University of Bordeaux, University of Barcelona, Tel Aviv University and the University of Auckland, among others.
They said the failure to adequately cut greenhouse gas emissions at COP26 demonstrated that a ‘real green revolution’ was needed.
More information: https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20211113100724697