What do we hope the COP26 conference will achieve?

Unless you’ve completely unplugged from the news on TV and the internet, you’ll be aware the COP26 Climate Conference is taking place in Glasgow between 31st October and 12th November.

The result of which, it is hoped, will lead to significant changes to our everyday lives.

What is COP26 setting out to achieve?

The message on the COP26 website outlines the four key goals the conference is hoping to achieve, which are:

One. Achieving global net-zero by 2050 and keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees

To deliver on these targets, countries will need to:

• Speed up the phasing-out of fossil fuels
• Accelerate switching to electric vehicles
• Reduce deforestation
• Invest in and implement renewable energy

Two. Protect natural habitats and communities

To deliver on these targets, countries will need to:

• Restore and protect ecosystems
• Build defences, warning systems, resilient infrastructures and agriculture to prevent loss of livelihoods, homes and lives

Three. Mobilise finance

Developed countries will have to mobilise at least $100-billion in climate finance per year to deliver on the first two goals. And financial institutions will need to release the trillions of dollars currently in private and public sector finance.

Four. Work together

This means every country needs to tackle the climate crisis through collaboration between governments, businesses and society.

All of which sounds positive, but what’s the reality?

What do we hope COP26 will achieve?

Achieving all the above is the dream, but how realistic is it?

The main issues are:

One. Fossil fuels

But how do we tackle eradicating the use of fossil fuels when almost every country is funding fossil fuel exploration. Why would they champion a switch to renewable energy quickly when billions are tied up in searching for new fossil fuel extraction sites?

Chance of immediate action: Low.

Two. Transport

Decarbonising public transport is already underway but still needs huge investment. And then there are cars; although the UK is phasing out the sale of diesel cars by 2030, pushing that forward would undoubtedly reduce the UK’s carbon footprint.

Chance of immediate action: Medium – although it’s unlikely the date will change, more significant investment in decarbonising public transport could be possible.

Three. Renewables

Boris Johnson said recently that the National Grid will be 100% renewable by 2035, reducing the UK’s emissions massively. Investment in renewable energy and the acceleration of its implementation is critical.

Chance of immediate action: Medium – 2035 is still 14 years away (at time of writing). Making the grid carbon-free is doable, but it’s likely to include nuclear energy, which is a low carbon energy source but harmful in other ways.

Investment in renewable energy sources is likely to be announced. How soon they’re implemented remains to be seen.

The truth is, it’s unknown what COP26 will bring. But what is guaranteed is it won’t have the passion evident at the pre-COP26 youth conference in Milan (that saw Greta Thunberg mocking the lack of action from world leaders).

All we can hope is they are inspired by the pre-COP26 conference and surprise us with immediate and world-changing action – before it’s too late.

How Inteb can help you do your bit

At Inteb, our experts help you set targets and put a framework in place to meet your net-zero targets. And for added peace of mind, we’re accredited to FutureNetZero standard, which means we give practical and accurate advice to companies serious about reaching net-zero.

We do the work. You reap the benefits.

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