One of the main topics raised at COP26 was our ability to achieve global net-zero by 2050 and keep the 1.5oC target within reach. This was one of the main goals of the COP26 conference (UN Climate Change Conference UK (a), 2021) however, one of the main issues surrounding this topic was how and when we are going to achieve this massive goal. According to BBC, 2021 net-zero refers to the population not contributing to the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG's) in the atmosphere. Allen, et, al., (2018) states that the 1.5oC target refers to keeping human induced warming to 1.5oC or below. This is an important topic in terms of climate change as the achievement of net-zero emissions and subsequently 1.5oC or less human induced warming means climate change impacts (such as rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, increased frequency and intensity of extreme events such as droughts and floods and sea-level rise (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2014) should see a reduction therefore having a positive impact on natural environments, climates, biodiversity, food security and human health and lifestyle worldwide.
What happened at COP26 in relation to 'Net-Zero' and 1.5 degrees warming
Net-Zero Pledges
During the COP26 conference numerous countries announced and committed to long term net-zero goals (RTE, 2021). From Images 1 and 2 below we can see that some countries have already achieved (Guyana) net-zero while some countries like Guinea-Bissau and Ireland pledging to reach net-zero by 2030 and 2050 while some countries unfortunately not setting a target at all. Numerous countries announced and committed to long term net-zero goals (RTE, 2021). Large emitters such as India (aiming to reach net-zero by 2070) have also made pledges. Currently India accounts for a total of 2.5 billion tonnes of emissions however, through their net-zero pledge they aim to reduce emissions by 1 billion tonnes in 2030 through a quick and extensive expansion of renewable energy in the next 10 years (which currently accounts for 50% of their total usage) (RTE, 2021). The UK aims to achieve net-zero by 2050 through 3 key pledges, to phase out the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, to stop producing electricity by burning coals by 1st of October 2024 and to ensure any new heating systems installed in UK homes are low-carbon from 2035 (Fly et.al, 2021). If achieved these pledges will see a huge impact on reaching net-zero and therefore seeing us limiting warming to 1.5oC above pre-industrial levels, however one must question whether these goals are achievable or if they are just more empty promises.
Image 1: Net-Zero Targets Set Out by Countries
Image 2: Net-Zero Targets Set Out by Countries
The Global Methane Pledge
This was a pledge first launched by an alliance with the US and European Union in which 103 more countries have signed up to at COP26 (Binding, 2021). Ursula von Der Leyen (European Commission President) stated that reducing methane emissions "is one of the most effective things we can do to reduce near-term global warming and keep to 1.5°C”. Weise (2021), outlines that this pledge has the potential to reduce methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030 which could prevent 0.2°C of global warming. The pledge aims to tackle methane sources such as oil and gas wells, pipelines and other fossil fuel infrastructure (Vaughan, 2021). Justin Trudeau (Canadian Prime Minister) announced that methane emissions would be cut by 75% by 2030 in the oil and gas sector. US President Joe Biden released plans to introduce methods of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in America to reduce US agricultural methane emissions as part of the US Methane Strategy. However one issue arising is that huge emitters of methane such as China, India, Russia and Australia have not signed up to the pledge (Vaughan, 2021). Even though methane is a more potent GHG it only has a lifespan of around 12 years in the atmosphere (EPA, 2021) therefore, if countries stick to this reduction pledge we could see a huge difference in the composition and state of our atmosphere in the next decade allowing us to work towards net-zero emissions and limiting warming to 1.5°C.
Image 3: Joe Biden discussing the Global Methane Pledge
Video 1: Joe Biden launching The Global Methane Pledge and US Plans to Reduce Methane
Funding and Plans for Sustainable Agriculture
It is undeniable that we have not heard about agriculture and climate change in recent times whether it be in relation to the emissions the sector produces or the effect climate change is having on agricultural systems across the world, especially in developing countries. Therefore, a shift towards more sustainable agricultural and food systems is essential in working towards net-zero and limiting warming. At COP26 it was announced that 45 governments will bring accelerated action and investment to protect nature and move towards more sustainable farming methods and land use practices by making them more attractive, accessible and affordable (O' Sullivan, K, 2021 and UN Climate Change Conference UK, 2021). The investment aims to address actions which disrupt Earth's natural ability to sequester carbon and cool the planet such as deforestation, soil damage and the loss of ecosystems and biodiversity. In conduction with this announcement more than 100 world leaders pledged to give $12 billion along with $7.2 billion from the private sector to stop deforestation by the end of the decade. A further $4 billion has been invested into the development of agricultural innovations (such as the development of climate-reliant crops and soil regeneration) and the improvement of their accessibility and affordability for farmers globally (O' Sullivan, K, 2021). 26 nations (including India Colombia, Vietnam Germany, Ghana and Australia) have also set new commitments in their "Action Agendas" which allow their agricultural policies to be more sustainable and less polluting. It also allows them to invest in research surrounding sustainable agriculture and protection of food supplies against climate change. Certain commitments include Germany's plan to lower emissions from land use by 25 million tonnes by 2030 and the UK's plan to have 75% of farmers engaging in low carbon practices by 2030 (UN Climate Change Conference UK, 2021). Again these investment and changes will encourage more sustainable farming methods reducing emissions and moving towards net-zero and limiting warming.
What Needs to Happen Next ?
It is clear that the commitment, promises and finances put forward at COP26 can have a huge impact on limiting us to the ultimate 1.5°C warming and could have the potential to see us reach net-zero. However, in order for this to be achieved we need these commitments, promises and finances to be kept and distributed to see their real impact. Wood (2021), highlights that there also needs to be interim emission targets and clear plans put in place on how to deliver these promises, commitments and finances. This was highlighted from the very start with Alok Sharma (COP26 president) and Patricia Espinosa (Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC) both stating that we need the commitments made at COP26 to be fulfilled in order to see change. We need the goals and targets of said commitments to be met in order to actually see COP26 be the highly anticipated success and answer we hoped it would be. Without this I believe we will see similar scenarios to climate conferences before this which lead to an underachieved warming world.
I also believe that groups need to work together and not individually in order to achieve goals. Policymakers need to work with all sectors and all sectors I believe need to integrate with each other in order to understand the challenges they are all facing and to address this issue with a global effort.
Bibliography
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