Four goals to save the planet

In November, the UK will welcome countries from around the world to Glasgow for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26. This is our opportunity to lead the world in tackling the enormous threat of climate change, building a cleaner and better future for all.

We know what to do because we have already agreed on the goals. In 2015, the world signed the Paris Agreement, an international treaty to address the climate crisis. This agreement commits us to limiting the increase in global temperature to well below two degrees, by targeting 1.5 degrees, because science tells us that would avoid the worst effects of climate change.

Every fraction of a degree makes a difference. An average increase in global temperature of two degrees, up from 1.5, would affect hundreds of millions more people, and twice as many plants and three times as many insect species would lose large swathes of their habitat.

However, since the 1.5 degree target was set, the world has not done enough and our planet is warming up. In my role as president-elect of COP26, I have witnessed the impact: melting glaciers, degrading crops and people being driven from their homes. If we continue as we are, these effects will worsen and accelerate.

The Climate Action Tracker estimates that if countries meet their emission reduction targets, we are on track for an average temperature increase of 2.4 degrees. This is a step up from their estimates last year, but there is still a long way to go. To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, we need to halve global emissions by 2030. This is therefore the decisive decade.

We must act now to make coherent and coordinated efforts to reduce emissions over the next ten years. And take advantage of the recovery of Covid-19 to reimagine our economies by building a better future, with green jobs and cleaner air, with more prosperity without damaging the planet.

This is what makes the upcoming United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow, COP26, so crucial. This must be the time when all countries and all sectors of society take responsibility for protecting our planet and keeping the 1.5 degree target alive. And we have a clear plan to make it happen.

As President-designate of COP26, together with the British Prime Minister, my fellow ministers and the entire British diplomatic network, I am leading actions around four key objectives.

First, we need to put the world on the path to reducing emissions until net emissions are reached by the middle of this century. This is imperative to keep 1.5 degrees within reach. So we need countries to set clear emission reduction targets. This means short-term emission reduction targets by 2030, consistent with net zero emissions by mid-century. And these goals must be science-based, so that net zero emissions are not just a vague aspiration, but a concrete plan.

We also need to see actions in the sectors that pollute the most. If we take the 1.5 degree goal seriously, Glasgow must be the COP to send coal power into history, call for a pause in deforestation and mark an end to polluting vehicles. To do this, we are working with governments and through international organizations to suspend international financing of coal, one of my personal priorities. We urge countries to move away from coal power as we work with developing countries to support their transition to clean energy.

We are seeing real progress. I recently co-chaired the G7 Environment and Climate Change Ministers’ Meeting and urged the G7 countries to end all new direct government support for coal-fired electricity by the end of 2021 And ministers agreed to switch from dirty coal at the national level to a mostly carbon-free energy system in the 2030s.

Our second goal is to protect people and nature from the worst effects of climate change. The climate crisis is here, and we must act on the real need for flood warning and warning systems, as well as other vital efforts to minimize, avoid and remedy the loss and damage caused by climate change.

Our third goal is funding, without which the task ahead is almost impossible. Developed countries must provide the $ 100 billion per year that they have pledged to support developing countries. The UK is leading by example, having pledged £ 11.6 billion between 2021 and 2025. And we need all developed countries to step up. Its a question of confidence.

We must also facilitate access to finance and increase the amounts available to protect people and nature. In March, I brought together ministers from 50 governments and international institutions to address these issues and today we are focused on meeting the commitments made at this meeting.

Fourth, we must work together to achieve these goals. This includes building consensus among governments to make the negotiations in Glasgow a success, as well as embracing business and civil society in our COP26 goals and promoting international collaboration in critical areas.

I call on all countries to redouble their efforts to achieve these goals because COP26 is our last hope to keep the 1.5 degree goal alive, our best chance to build a better future, a future of green jobs. and cleaner air.

Argentina has taken very important steps, reinforcing its commitment to reduce emissions by 2030. It is essential to move forward together in the implementation of these measures and to improve the resilience of systems with a clear horizon towards net zero emissions by 2050.

This is our moment. There is no second chance. Let’s enjoy it together.

Alok Sharma is the president-designate of COP26.