He added that developed countries need to “play a leadership role” and “stand up. Of course, they can avoid crises by reducing emissions, but they must also help developing countries make greener transitions and protect people from climate impact.”
Ingmar Rentzhog, CEO and founder of the Danish climate non-governmental organization We Don’t Have Time, said: “You are free to make a promise. Whether you follow it or not, there is no responsibility. There is no cost to make a promise. I think about it. If the promise will work, we need to promise, and if you don’t comply, you will pay some price.”
Mala Maa, a member of the Tuvalu delegation, confessed that she “has high hopes and ambitions and believes that this COP26 will save us, save our islands, save our people, save my children and my grandchildren, Save our world.”
Representatives of various countries desperately tried to reach a final agreement to make COP26 a success, while activists, observers and some writers condemned the impending farce: contempt, tarnish, and succumb to the national and economic interests of governance and corporate selves and elites.
Civilized society
In the last desperate attempt of about 200 countries, when they hoped to achieve something useful before the last strike, the hearts of many people were filled with a sense of doom, which marked the end of yet another failure. Tired, haggard and homesick reporters milled outside the plenary room.
Palau’s ambassador to the United Nations, Ilana Seid, said: “This is 200 countries that have to basically reach a consensus, so we realize that it’s very difficult for everyone. I think developing countries and very Fragile countries, such as Palau, are already very outspoken about the climate actions that need to be taken.
“We want our words to be heard, and I think it really depends on the whole (global) community uniting behind us… We are hopeful, but we have not yet… If we are not successful, then It was a terrible disaster.
“I think we will have to seek help from the private sector and civil society to try to solve problems that the government clearly cannot solve.”
Bas Tuenter, a young Dutch climate activist and YOUNGO member, was interviewed by ecologists at the last plenary meeting because the observers were again asked to vacate the venue.
tolerance
They were disappointed with “COP26’s exclusivity and our inability to reach negotiators, which seriously affected our ability to represent young people from all over the world. We could have done more…”
Clemence Abbés Castillo, a representative of Oxfam Peru, described the process as “very disappointing.”
She added: “The last version of the agreement is actually very weak. We have seen insufficient progress in terms of loss and damage, and insufficient progress in reducing emissions in rich countries. I also think that the relevant progress is not really enough. Protect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.”
El Hadji Mbaye Diagne, Director of the African Energy and Environment Department from Senegal, said: “The Group of 77 believes that the leaders of developed countries have not given the necessary levels and importance to negotiations at the ministerial or political level to reach an agreement.
“The technicians worked very hard to put forward some suggestions. But in terms of coordinating political positions, there was not enough tolerance to reach an agreement.”
disappointment
Disha Sharkar, a representative of the Global Youth Development Institute from India, added: “Regarding inclusiveness, especially the opportunity to enter the negotiation room, it has been hindered to some extent due to the Covid agreement.
“For the southerners of the world, it is not easy to reach: the vaccination process. In addition, there are many problems in terms of funding. However, a lot of progress has been made in the work that has been done, and we look forward to implementation, and the youth are optimistic.”
But what about Britain’s efforts to lead mankind away from the brink of disaster? Are they all lost?
UnaMay Gordon, head of the Jamaican delegation, participated in the Conference of the Parties for more than ten years, Said: “There is always hope. As people from small island countries, if we lose hope, we will lose our humanity.
“There is always hope. Even some developed countries have reached some great agreements and some disappointments. However, in general, I think there is still hope.
Make fixed
“What needs to be done is to come here and successfully hold a COP during the pandemic-because we should not ignore the fact that there was no major (Covid-19) outbreak among the 20,000 people here- …There are some gains, not many, but I think the bar has moved.”
Melissa Jimenez-GT, a young scientist from Mexico and extinction insurgent climate activist, stood outside the last plenary meeting, moments before the last gavel fell and silenced COP26
She thought about the purpose of the COP and what the obvious climate battle surrounding it represents: “We fight for what is worth defending: nature, biodiversity; all living things are worth protecting.
“When we say they, our leaders are not fighting for this, it is true. They are fighting for a system to maintain the status quo and proceed as usual. In fact, it is this that should be destroyed, which completely changed , Revolution. We need to start a revolution.
“This is just the beginning. The beginning of a new awakening. We know what the problem is—science has told us what it is. The problem now is how you Going to fix it, how you Go deal with it. “
strength
The focus has begun to shift to COP27, which will be held in Egypt, which has raised concerns about the lack of freedom of speech, which may welcome critics, activists and protesters next year.
Taseem Essop from the International Climate Action Network said: “What must happen at COP27 in Africa is for them to clean up the debris left by COP26 for the disadvantaged and for the millions of suffering people. The fact that it was held in Africa made it Become the African Conference of Parties.
“This should be a COP for disadvantaged groups, so the question of whether there will be a democratic space… depends on civil society… Of course, we will have to fight for that space, and we will take up space.
“So people think it doesn’t matter what the situation is, we have power, we will use power, and we will do that no matter where the COP is held.”
This author
Nicolás Eliades has been engaged in international, political and organizational communications (including journalism) for more than 20 years, spanning four continents. He was born in Nairobi, Kenya, and grew up in Colombian and Cyprus-South African families. Past employers include the US State Department, European Commission, the famous Colombian daily newspaper El Espectador, Africa’s largest broadcaster SABC, and George Soros’ Open Society Foundation.
