Drastic reduction of GHG emissions in this decade remains pressing

The 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow ended with a nebulous agreement, when it was required that the global political will be clear and indicate global consensus towards the adoption of commitments for the decarbonization of economy, by abandoning the use of coal, by limiting the production of natural gas and oil. And, of course, it would confirm the will of States to end financial support and tax exemptions for fossil companies. None of that happened. Therefore, the drastic and urgent reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions remains urgent by 2030.

Once again, by the hand of India, supported by China and Saudi Arabia, countries that had the tacit support of the United States, these issues had their approach softened, no longer imposing rigorous goals, but only concern, reduction and others have pious intentions that solve very little or almost nothing, when we talk about the biggest polluters and also producers of these fuels.

The increase in financing for the energy transition of the most vulnerable countries was approximately the same target previously missed, as the objective of financing climate adaptation in developing countries by 100 billion dollars per year was not achieved. Compensation to countries for losses caused by climate change remains to be defined.

The regulation of article 6 had the Carbon market as its biggest concern and the very issue of 300 emission licenses, abandoned after the Kyoto Protocol, was once again enshrined, when the Paris Agreement no longer even provided for them.

Positive results of this COP include the sectoral agreements reached on methane emissions, reforestation and the incentive for clean energy in vehicles. However, even as they are agreements that do not cover all countries, they appear to be clearly insufficient in view of the objective of limiting global warming to 1,5º, compared to pre-industrial levels. The target of 1,8ºC has already been identified as a new future objective.

Quercus, although it recognizes the importance of reaching a global agreement and holding a COP with the largest number of participants ever, in a sign that the concern regarding climate change is today as broad as it had ever been before obtained, deeply regrets that immediate interests continue to be prioritized over the interests of all humanity.

Quercus emphasizes that the result of COP26 in Glasgow, although it was not an open door for the fight against climate change, was a silver lining that is important to take advantage of and grow in this crucial decade, courageously addressing the components of mitigation and adaptation , and hopes that together with the social and environmental movement it will be possible to reverse the less positive aspects of this COP in its 27th edition, to be held within a year in Sharm-el-sheik, Egypt.

On the part of the Government of Portugal, Quercus highlights as positive the reaffirmation of renewable energy as a response to the climate crisis and the firm refusal regarding the false nuclear option. However, given the challenges we face, greater political will to accelerate the decarbonization of different sectors of the economy appears necessary.

Quercus

Quercus is a Portuguese Environmental Non-Governmental Organization (ONGA) founded on October 31, 1985.