In a few days the COP26 will take place in Glasgow. This is the biggest political meeting on the climate emergency since the 2015 Paris Agreement, and honestly, we all need it to be successful.
In order to reduce the effects of climate change on our lives, our communities and the planet on which we depend, the Paris Agreement aims to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 ° C. However, the promises and commitments of the governments that signed this agreement still do not allow this to be achieved and rather lead us towards a warming of 2.7 ° C. The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is unequivocal: the little room for maneuver we still have to avoid an increase in extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, wildfires, forests, deadly heatwaves and the like will disappear if we do not cut emissions significantly by 2030. Our provincial and federal governments cannot simply maintain their current targets and climate plans, which are sorely lacking in ambition. .
It is therefore clear that COP26 must be a significant turning point. It is still possible to get the world back on track, but important steps must be taken, and quickly.
What does it mean ?
It means governments have to get their fingers off their feet. Canada – like Quebec for that matter – and all the countries of the planet must commit to immediately putting an end to funding for the exploitation of fossil fuels and all new projects in this sector. They must also set in motion ambitious emission reduction plans that would halve global CO emissions.2 by 2030. But let’s be clear, the bulk of this task falls to the rich countries, which must assume their historic climate responsibilities and thus lead the way.
Canada, which, as the latest Carbon Brief analysis shows, is among the ten most important polluters in history, and the first per capita, must be united and responsible. Mr. Trudeau has a duty to reject emissions offsets and “net zero emissions” targets that would be based on offsets as is likely to be the case for Canada’s climate plan. Nor should he support during the COP the creation of a global market that would only aim to ensure that big polluters, such as oil and gas companies, can continue to pollute and make a profit.
COP26 must indeed be a moment to play cards on the table. No more pretenses where certain governments and companies try to pass us a tree by bragging about the merits of a new global carbon offset market. It would be a permit to continue to pollute, whereas according to IPCC experts, the world must make immediate, dramatic and consistent reductions in emissions. Nothing to do with a market that favors profit and infinite growth. The compensation market is actually a pass that encourages the commodification of nature and allows companies and governments to take over the lands of communities made vulnerable by the power of the extractive industries over governments. These systems have led to land grabbing, destruction of biodiversity and human rights violations.
Making COP26 a turning point also means for the biggest historical polluters like Canada to show solidarity and fairness with the people and countries, especially the most vulnerable, who are at the forefront of climate impacts. Rich countries must keep their promises and guarantee that they will transfer 100 billion dollars (US) per year to the most affected countries (often less developed countries) to adapt to the consequences of the climate crisis, develop clean energy systems and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Canada must mobilize $ 4 billion (US) in climate finance per year, including $ 1.8 billion in official assistance for developing countries, and 50% of these amounts must finance adaptation to climate change. Additional funds should also be made available to compensate for losses and damage caused by climatic phenomena in less developed countries.
At the heart of this summit is a question of equity and justice. It’s about who owns the future: the fossil fuel giants and agricultural companies chopping down rainforests, or the indigenous peoples, vulnerable communities and young people around the world. They have done nothing to provoke this crisis, but will have to live with the consequences.
The political leaders who will come to Glasgow all know what needs to be done. It is now a question of courage, conviction and action.