By SAT News Desk
MELBOURNE, 14 November: The COP26 Glasgow pact backed by 200 countries stands adopted with China and India watering down coal ‘phase out’ to ‘phase down’ at the last moment. Coal ‘Phase-out’ means to discontinue coal use in phases. This means it will continue for many years to come. It is not bad to at least have a goal, but this watered-down approach deal is not what the world was expecting. The pact will keep 1.5C alive and finalize the outstanding elements of the Paris Agreement.
Reflecting on the task ahead, COP26 President Alok Sharma said:
“We can now say with credibility that we have kept 1.5 degrees alive. But, its pulse is weak and it will only survive if we keep our promises and translate commitments into rapid action. I am grateful to the UNFCCC for working with us to deliver a successful COP26.
From here, we must now move forward together and deliver on the expectations set out in the Glasgow Climate Pact, and close the vast gap which remains. Because as Prime Minister Mia Mottley told us at the start of this conference, for Barbados and other small island states, ‘two degrees is a death sentence’.
It is up to all of us to sustain our lodestar of keeping 1.5 degrees within reach and to continue our efforts to get finance flowing and boost adaptation. After the collective dedication which has delivered the Glasgow Climate Pact, our work here cannot be wasted.”
Apart from coal, the COP26 agreed to cut fossil fuel subsidies and called the developed countries to deliver the US $100 million for poor countries to fight climate change.
According to ‘ClimateTrade’, most of the world’s pollution comes from just a few countries: China, for example, generates around 30% of all global emissions, while the United States is responsible for almost 14%.In the ranking below you can find the 10 countries that produce the most emissions, measured in millions of tons of CO2 in 2019.
China, with more than 10,065 million tons of CO2 released.
United States, with 5,416 million tons of CO2
India, with 2,654 million tons of CO2
Russia, with 1,711 million tons of CO2
Japan, 1,162 million tons of CO2
Germany, 759 million tons of CO2
Iran, 720 million tons of CO2
South Korea, 659 million tons of CO2
Saudi Arabia, 621 million tons of CO2
Indonesia, 615 million tons of CO2
MESSAGE TO AUSTRALIA
Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter said that, while the final text of the agreement is far from perfect, the message to Australia and other fossil fuel producers is clear.
“This is not the deal the world needed, but it is what has been delivered – and the momentum is in the right direction. The task ahead is relentless pressure on the fossil fuel corporations and reckless governments such as Australia’s.”
“And make no mistake – one clear positive is that the governments of the world have agreed for the first time that the age of coal is over. The language could be stronger, but the message to Scott Morrison and his government is clear – Australia needs to rapidly exit coal and stop lavishing billions in subsidies on this polluting industry.”
“The Morrison Government has refused to act to reduce emissions, employing climate denial and then delaying tactics, even as the climate crisis accelerates in front of our eyes. Now, it’s clear Morrison’s failed climate policy has no place in a world that understands and is acting on the existential threat posed by fossil fuels.”
“The requirement for new national climate commitments in 2022 means that for all his empty plan, garbage modelling, sneaking and dissembling, Scott Morrison has nowhere to hide because the world has noticed and the world will be watching.””
“Throughout the closing sessions of COP26 ministers and negotiators said they owed it to their children and grandchildren to do their utmost to keep the 1.5C goal alive. Scott Morrison must now tell the young people of Australia why he was prepared to sacrifice their futures so the biggest polluters could blacken the skies and the lungs of our children.”
