COP26 is less than 100 days away, but the gap between climate ambition and action is as big as ever
Less than 100 days before the UK hosts COP26, this is arguably the most important global climate summit to date.Prime Minister video Warn us “I haven’t patted myself on the back yet”, and then patted myself on the back of the UK’s climate achievements, including—wrongly—becoming the first country to legislate to achieve net zero emissions (Sweden did it first).
Indeed, compared to most countries, the UK’s climate goals—especially reducing emissions by 78% by 2035 from 1990 levels and achieving net zero emissions by 2050—are ambitious.But these goals are not fast enough to reflect UK’s fair share Historical emissions and lock in Dangerous and destructive Climate impact. Even by its own standards, the government is far from on the right track.The government’s own climate change committee is annoyed by the gap between climate commitments and actions, saying last month ‘Time is running out to make realistic climate promises” and ‘Policy does not exist’.
New on the 10th earlier this week One step green movement Was widely ridiculed and suggested to the public to take ‘Avoid micro-steps of climate change, such as not washing dishes before loading into the dishwasher. at the same time, London and much of the southeast were flooded After more than a month of rain, the day came down.This is the first time in history that the Bureau of Meteorology has issued an announcement after the heat wave Extreme heat warning. Last month, deadly floods have killed more than 180 people In Germany and Belgium and China 63, Parts of Pakistan Achieve heat and humidity levels beyond what the human body can withstand And the Amazon rainforest Officially began to release more greenhouse gases than absorbed. In North America, Hot dome Caused hundreds of deaths, curving roads and raging forest fires, Including many plants grown as carbon offsets, Releasing the carbon they should sequester.
But although there is sufficient evidence that the climate crisis is here, G20 leaders fail to agree on key climate commitments At the last meeting before COP26. This is a familiar area in climate negotiations: at COP15 12 years ago, governments pledged to provide 100 billion U.S. dollars a year by 2020 to help poorer countries cope with climate change.This goal has not yet been achieved, and Scientists argue The cost of providing adequate climate financing for the global South will dwarf the cost of a 1.5˚C rise in temperature. On this and other issues that are critical to climate progress at the global level — debt relief, international financial reforms, trade negotiations — our government has been powerless. Although the UK likes to see itself as a climate leader, other governments are unlikely to respond to a speech from a country that has no detailed plan to achieve its goals.In addition, most of the government have done covers up its remarks about climate action.In the past year, it has Refuse to exclude new coal mines, Cancellation of its flagship green home grant After only six months, promised 27 billion pounds for road transport, accept Airport expansionAnd is Currently considering a new 800 million barrel oil field In the North Sea.
The government stated that it understands the scale of the challenge, but is clearly unwilling to make a decision and allocate the necessary funds to resolve it.The net zero strategy has Reportedly delayed Because the Ministry of Finance is opposed to cost. But this is the wrong economy: the obsession with spending restrictions caused the world’s fifth-richest country to cut international aid, postpone action on our antiquated social care system, and cut 20 per week from the already insignificant universal credit. GBP.As NEF etc. Have been arguing, ‘Too little deficit spending will cause irreversible social, economic and environmental damage.”
Instead, we should invest in More than one million green jobs From renovation of buildings, natural restoration and public transportation to low-carbon social infrastructure such as social care, health and education. We should phase out fossil fuels and support workers in carbon-intensive industries through a just transition, while ensuring that our policies do not transfer bad labor and environmental practices to the global South. These solutions can lead to a safer and fairer future and give it some legitimacy as the UK tries to reach a meaningful international agreement at COP26. Of course, there are costs, and the key is that they cannot be borne by those who are least able to pay.But we need to adapt to an increasingly burning and flooded world, even conservatives Office of Budget Responsibility Shows, The cost of inaction is much greater.
Photo: Simon Dawson/10 Downing Street (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
