Green Guy in Glasgow 🏴
Our Green Guy made it to Glasgow and amidst the crowds of protestors reported back an intense energy. Everyone—from delegates to protestors—is harboring mixed feelings of anxiety and hope.
So as COP26 comes to a close, here is all you need to know about the negotiations taking place right now and the highlights from the week.
Tuvalu’s Plea
Tuvalu Minister trolls COP26’s “net-zero 2050” ambition by participating via zoom knee-deep in seawater.
"We cannot wait for the speeches when the sea is rising around us all the time. Climate mobility must come to the forefront. We must take bold alternative action today to secure tomorrow”—Simon Kofe, Tuvalu’s Foreign Minister
Everyone’s focusing on COP26 but what about G20?
G20 countries are responsible for 78% of global emissions. So perhaps their leaders should stop tossing a coin in the Fontana di Trevi and start breaking up with their love affair with fossil fuels?
Fossil Fuel Ninjas
Governments subsidize fossil fuel companies. Burning fossil fuels causes the climate crisis. Governments create COP to clean up fossil fuel mess. Fossil fuel companies finance lobbyists. Fossil fuel lobbyists are invited to attend and are actually the biggest delegation at this COP26—with over 500 delegates. Fossil fuel lobbyists are constantly subverting any real talk against fossil fuel industry. Fossil fuels keep burning. Climate crisis intensifies.
Sounds insane right? Well it’s pretty much our political system in a nutshell—clearly in bed with fossil fuels. This could also explain why keeping fossil fuels in the ground is never explicitly discussed at COP.
The Draft Agreement —why it’s stalled
Right now, the COP26 Agreement has stalled. China and India are against the coal phase out, whilst the US & the EU are against more “Loss & Damage reliefs for developing nations—they’re worried it’s a slippery slope…
The final draft has added two words in order to sway reluctant fossil fuel dependent countries into signing. It seems that they will agree to a phase out of “unabated” coal and “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies. Again loophole words for an easy way out of “promises.” Yet, 197 countries are set to sign this final draft tomorrow morning.
We really hope this COP26 Agreement isn’t just another greenwashing charade—although it isn’t actually legally binding…
In case countries’ are using it as a fancy marketing scheme, Greta has filed a legal petition to the UN secretary-general urging him to declare a systemwide climate emergency. This would ensure higher accountability on climate pledges and agreements.
LatAm Countries Join Forces in first International Marine Protected Corridor
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Colombia are demonstrating how international cooperation is done. The Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor (CMAR) was just announced at COP26. This initiative will create a fishing-free corridor covering more than 500,000 sqkm and joining up each country’s Marine Reserve. The proposed MPA is one of the most biodiverse areas in the ocean and a vital migratory route for sea turtles, whales, sharks and rays.
“This is the new language of global conservation. Never have countries with connecting maritime borders joined together to create a public policy.”—Ecuador’s environment minister, Gustavo Manrique
Net Zero explained:
Juice Media does it again…A must watch.