What is the COP26, and What Can We Expect From the COP27?
COP stands for Conference of the Parties, and, accordingly, COP26 was the 26th summit hosted by the UK and Italy in November of 2021 in Glasgow. All the countries that signed on to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) came together to discuss the current state of our world and environmental needs.
Here are the main takeaways from COP26:
The creation of the Green Grids Initiative—a system connecting electricity systems across borders in order to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
The creation of the Green Light Signal—a system bringing awareness to the public about green energy. Green light bulbs around the UK let you know that electricity in an area is being supplied from low-carbon sources.
Around 40 percent of the world's private assets, or 130 trillion dollars, went into projects supporting renewable energy that further the goal of going carbon-free.
A pledge to stop deforestation worldwide by 2030 was signed by more than 100 countries.
Coal use will be phased out in more than 40 countries by 2030.
Around 30 countries agreed to reduce methane emissions by 30%.
Over 100 countries hope to improve their transportation systems by implementing 100% zero-emission cars and vans.
The Just Energy Transition Partnership with South Africa intends to expedite the decarbonization of South Africa's economy, with a focus on the electricity sector, in order to meet the challenging targets outlined in the Nationally Determined Contribution emissions goals.
The UK pledged £165m of funding to address the challenges of gender inequality and climate change.
The United States and China have vowed to cooperate in the fight against climate change, as they are the highest producers of carbon emissions.
Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, has set ambitious goals for low-carbon power by 2030—a sign that India is taking climate change more seriously.
When reflecting on last year’s COP, many scientists and health practitioners feel that there is a lot of room for improvement with the upcoming COP27, which is set to take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022. Although there have been "promising steps in the right direction," says Maarten van Aalst, director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Climate Center, "what we got in Glasgow is still too little too late."
"It is important that world leaders treat climate adaptation with the same level of urgency and seriousness as COVID-19," said Balgis Osman-Elasha, the lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. Solutions do not happen overnight, or even over a year, simply because a conference was held. Real, sustainable environmental health and climate change solutions take time and unified effort. The positive side of having a conference in Egypt means that more low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) will have the opportunity to be involved in a meaningful way.
Osman-Elasha stated:
“[I am] glad that COP 27 will be held on African soil, in Egypt. This provides a chance for stronger and more effective participation by African countries and for coming together as one voice. It is a chance for Africans to stress the need for prioritizing Africa-relevant solutions and push for a powerful African leadership of COP27.”
For more up-to-date information about the upcoming COP27, check out this link.
