Cop26 Parties express expectations for Glasgow outcomes

President Joseph R. Biden of the USA addresses the opening of the COP26 Climate Conference in Glasgow, Scotland. UN News - Laura Quinones

Glasgow, 1 Nov (Evelyn Teh) – At the joint-plenary session convened on 31 October at the climate talks, various groupings highlighted their key expectations for outcomes in Glasgow.

Guinea, on behalf of G77 and China raised the importance of climate finance as critical for success at COP26 and for the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement (PA). Hence, “tangible actions from developed countries at this COP that translate into enhanced climate finance flows that are demand-driven and responsive to the needs of developing countries. These include real progress in our negotiations relating to the new finance goal.” This includes technology development and transfer and capacity building which are crucial enablers of climate action. These provisions, including the establishment of new collective quantified finance goals, must be transparent, new, additional and predictable, and consider the actual needs and priorities of developing countries for climate mitigation and adaptation, the group said.

The G77 emphasised that adaptation is a critical priority for developing countries and must be treated in a balanced manner compared to mitigation actions, which means that the global goal on adaptation under the PA must advance. “COP26 should see scaled-up provision of public, grant-based finance by developed countries to developing countries for adaptation action, including to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans (NAPs)”.

On the Technology Mechanism, it said that it must be strengthened, which includes enhanced efforts and support to the Climate Technology Cenre and Network (CTCN) by developed countries through financial and other resources provided.

On loss and damage, the G77 stated that the treatment under the COP and the CMA (Parties under the PA) must be balanced to reflect their joint governance, adding that COP26 should deliver on addressing the loss and damage-related needs of developing countries, especially for enhanced action and support in relation to loss and damage, including financing and technology transfer, through the Executive Committee (ExCom) of the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) and an operational Santiago Network.

Concerning Article 6 of the PA, the Group expressed that there was a need for a balanced outcome (on aspects of Article 6). In addition, the Group looked forward to the start of the first Global Stocktake (GST) under the PA (in 2023), and it is expected that there should be diverse, balanced and comprehensive inputs for the GST in all thematic areas, particularly from developing countries.

Bolivia speaking for the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC), highlighted the unprecedented combination of multiple crises experienced in the world today, which is particularly devastating for the developing world. “The responses to this have meant the diversion of national budgets and increased borrowings for many developing countries, raising the level of indebtedness. This coupled with the vaccine inequity between the developed and developing world and the continuing and deepening economic crisis in developing countries have compounded those challenges of ensuring sustainable development, eradicating poverty and addressing climate change, especially in the wake of devastating adverse impacts from floods, droughts and other climatic effects.”

The LMDC referred to the history of broken promises by the developed countries, which undermines the multilateral system. This is evident in the delays of ratification among many developed countries, making the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol (KP) for its 2nd commitment period come into effect only on the last day of 2020. Not only was the ambition level not raised, as agreed in Doha in 2021, but developed countries have also in fact, increased their emissions between 1990 and 2020, said the LMDC. “This, together with the refusal of some developed countries to assume new targets under the KP, highlights their lack of mitigation ambition,” said it stated further.

With regards to the delivery of climate finance, the LMDC stated that the developed countries pledge made in 2009 to mobilise USD100 billion per year by 2020 has fallen short, and in Paris, the 2020 timeline to deliver on the USD 100 billion was shifted to 2025. Although there is no assurance that this would be reached or with higher ambition by the developed countries, developing countries are requested to raise their ambition on climate actions, it added further.

The LMDC also stated that despite developed countries’ lack of ambition shown in the pre-2020 period, as well as in their PA nationally determined contributions (NDCs), major developed countries are now pushing to shift the goal posts from what has already been agreed by calling for all countries to adopt net zero targets by 2050. This new ‘goal’ which is being advanced, runs counter to the PA and is anti-equity and against climate justice, adding that demands for net zero emissions for all countries by 2050 will exacerbate further the existing inequities between developed and developing countries.

In line with that, the LMDC stated that the current challenges faced by developing countries require “intensified multilateral cooperation, not intensified global economic and geopolitical competition and trade wars. This includes, in particular, developed countries honouring their long-standing obligations under the UNFCCC and its PA, including on the provision of climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building to the developing countries.” The Group added that unilateral coercive measures against developing countries and proposals by developed countries to introduce unilateral carbon border adjustment measures in the name of climate change responses are discriminatory towards developing countries and violate international trade rules and the principles of equity and the UNFCCC provisions.

Gabon, on behalf of the Africa Group, raised a proposal to consider Africa’s special needs and circumstances which is based on science. “The WMO report on ‘State of Climate Africa’ provides climate-induced changes to physical and biological systems are being felt and exerting considerable stress on the African’s vulnerable sectors.” It stated further that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the impact on the health and the economy of Africa, affecting the already highly volatile markets, contracting the GDP of the continent by up to 3.4% with an estimated loss of between $173.1 billion and $236.7 billion for the years 2020– 2021, thereby reducing the capacity of African countries to adapt to climate change. Therefore, the Group looked forward to working with all Parties to find a resolution and balanced outcome that recognises these special needs and circumstances. The Africa Group also stated that its continent contributes only 4% of the total global emissions and have already communicated their ambitious NDCs. It called on developed countries with higher emissions to communicate ambitious NDCs with long-term targets for reaching net-zero by 2050 in line with the principles of equity and the common but differentiated responsibility (CBDR),” it said further, adding that Annex I Parties have not met their pre-2020 mitigation targets while some have increased their emissions.

It also emphasised the importance to establish a global approach on PA’s Article 2.1(c) (on climate finance flows) to ensure the inclusion of the just transition as part of the pathway and increasing access to mobilised and provided climate finance for all African countries, which recognise the national circumstances of developing countries and manage transition risks. It also raised a concern about the imposition of unilateral policies and other conditionalities on the access to Green Climate Fund (GCF) resources.

On matters related to Article 6 of the PA on (market and non-market based cooperative approaches), the Group stated that the share of proceeds (SoPs) from these mechanisms should finance adaptation action, where 2 to 5% of the SoPs from the Article 6.4 market mechanism and Article 6.2 cooperative approaches must be channelled through the Adaptation Fund.

India, on behalf of the BASIC (Brazil, China, India and South Africa), emphasised on giving full effect to the implementation of the principles of equity and CBDRRC and recognised the very different national circumstances of Parties. “Developing countries must be accorded time, policy space and support to transition towards a low emissions future,” it said, adding that COP26 must aim for higher global ambition on all three pillars of the PA, along with recognising Parties’ differing historical responsibilities and the severe developmental challenges faced by developing countries, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It stated that based on the latest available science, all Parties need to immediately contribute their fair share regarding the long-term temperature goal and achieving this would require developed countries to rapidly reduce their emissions and dramatically ‘scale-up’ their financial support to developing countries.

With regards to climate finance, it stated that a significant achievement at COP26 is to have “a clear roadmap by developed countries on their continued existing obligations to mobilise USD 100 billion per year from 2021 to 2025, which should be fully considered with the transparency, including the transparent, predictable information, and the balance of mitigation and adaptation with substantive action by developed countries, and willingness to urgently initiate the process within the UNFCCC on setting the new collective quantified goal on finance, including a detailed roadmap outlining milestones for setting a goal prior to 2025.”

In addition, India also stated that the negotiating track on adaptation, within the subsidiary bodies, should provide guidance for the operationalisation of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), and that the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) should have a balanced outcome that helps to strengthen the transparency within the UNFCCC, without leaving behind the much-needed flexibility for developing countries in accordance with their national circumstances and capabilities.

Antigua and Barbuda, on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), called on Parties to submit their enhanced NDCs and requested a formal platform to take stock of commitments and progress towards the 1.5-degree goal as well as the real gap and the consequences of this gap. It also raised the concern that developed countries have failed to deliver on their 2009 commitment to provide and mobilise USD100 billion per year by 2020 for developing countries, adding that USD 100 billion by 2023 is three years too late, where the finance gap will be USD40 billion by then.

To add insult to injury, AOSIS stated that over $1.6 trillion went to subsidising fossil fuels since the adoption of the PA and asked for a decision at COP26 to call for phasing out all fossil fuels subsidies in major economies by 2023. Meanwhile, financing for SIDS specifically decreased by $600 million from 2018 to 2019, from $2.1 billion in 2018 to just $1.5 billion in 2019. For what was made available, they are made to jump through hoops against unfair criteria. It raised a reminder that climate finance is not charity, adding that there are no donors in this process but this is about climate justice.

The AOSIS Group also added that adaptation finance should be grant-based, predictable and accessible; and demanded concrete outcomes on financial reports for loss and damage in SIDS here in COP26. It stated that financing for loss and damage is separate and additional to the annual USD100 billion pledged for mitigation and adaptation.

Saudi Arabia, on behalf of the Arab Group, sstated that while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shake our daily lives, it is essential that multilateralism is essential to ensure that we are on the path of sustainable development for all. For COP26 to be a success, it needs to be balanced and must address all the outstanding issues since the PA where all matters are dealt with equitably in an impartial way.

It placed a focus on several matters, which included response measures, in that constraints imposed by the pandemic have had impacts on the results of COP25 and the Katowice Committee of Experts on the Impacts of the Implementation of Response Measures (KCI), adding that the KCI Plan of Action which was delayed needs to be extended.

On Article 6, it called for all sub-items in a balanced and equal fashion.

With regards to scientific research, the aim to achieve carbon neutrality runs counter to the goal of PA and UNFCCC because responding to climate change needs to be done integrally, taking into account sustainable development and poverty eradication priorities of developing countries.

Bhutan, on behalf of Least Developed Countries (LDC), sstated that leaders must make enhanced commitments that strengthen 2030 emissions reduction targets to be consistent with 1.5°C and reflect each country’s fair share of the global effort. “Countries must also come forward with long-term, low emissions development strategies that map the path to net zero global emissions by 2050. Developed countries must provide confidence in the mobilisation of finance to the most vulnerable countries.” It stated that the decade long delay in delivering the climate finance goal of USD100 billion per year by 2020 is disappointing. Therefore, “the amount of finance, access, adequacy, and quality of funding are critical issues that require space in these negotiations.”

It also called for ensuring support for loss and damage and the finance for it will be critical in Glasgow, and hence, called for a decision to operationalise the Santiago Network. It also looked forward to delivering on the Article 6 mechanism to lead to the overall reductions of global emissions post -2020 era while ensuring a fair share of proceeds for adaptation actions that aren’t double-counted, not carried over from the KP and with environmental integrity that represents true reductions.

Argentina, on behalf of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay (ABU), also emphasised that the climate finance agenda is crucial for the full implementation of the PA and for the post-COVID19 recovery. The COP26 will mark the beginning of the discussion on how to set and achieve the new post-2025 collective financing target. Financial resources that are new and additional and provided continuously are crucial, it added. It called for the establishment of a body to work on policies which should be a technical body with equal representation from developed countries and developing countries to make progress on target for 2025. It also called for a clear road map on loss and damage that will facilitate the implementation of the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage. It stressed further that it did not believe in creating new categories for countries different from those in the UNFCC and the PA.

It also said that decisions on Article 6 should tackle pending issues such as the use of cooperative approaches to guarantee environmental integrity and funds available to help developing countries meet adaptation costs.

Peru, on behalf of the Independent Alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC), sstated that the COVID-19 pandemic showed decisive actions to deal with a global emergency can be taken and therefore, urgent action based on scientific information is needed. On the common time frames for NDCs, it said that it had to be consistent with the obligation of periodic progression of the short-term ambition of the NDCs, which must be governed by the best available science, in line with the 5-year cycle marked by the Global Stocktake. It also emphasised the delivery of financing for adaptation and for loss and damage; and for the operationalisation of the Santiago Network.

Switzerland, on behalf of the Environment Integrity Group (EIG), stated that the COP26 success will be measured in three areas: rules, finance and ambition. While Article 6 is an unprecedented opportunity to increase the ambition of NDCs beyond what could be possible without markets, the carbon market must not become a tool to compensate for lack of ambition. As for transparency, which is the backbone of the PA, the first report will not be perfectly complete, but we must learn from the exercise, and developing countries will have to be supported in this effort.

As for adaptation, the EIG said instead of discussing possible new targets, let us use the tools we have adopted, improve them, and focus on real action, implementation, and rapidly increasing support. On the finance issue, it expressed disappointment that the objective has not been achieved and that COP26 must launch a process to define a new collective finance target for the period after 2025, adding that all countries that have the capacity to do so must support those who need it and assure all financial flows are aligned with the objectives of the PA. It called on especially the big emitters to submit ambitious NDCs that are aligned with the 1.5C objective; as well as to submit long term strategies that aim for net zero by 2050 at the latest as recommended by science, adding that the G20 has a particular role to play in that regard. It also said that it is time to phase out coal, tackle our dependency on fossil fuels, drastically reduce plastic use and abandon fossil fuel subsidies.

The European Union said that the IPCC has confirmed the extent of warming depends on future emissions; therefore, there is a need to immediately undertake strong emissions reduction and reach net zero around 2050. Quoting the UNEP synthesis report, the EU called for emerging economies that have not done so must present their updated NDC and which must be reflected in the political outcome at COP26. The EU also stated that there should be robust rules under Article 6, fostering environmental integrity and avoiding double counting. This includes robust rules for Article 6.2 and setting Article 6.4 mechanisms. It also stated that COP26 must conclude the ETF based on what was agreed in Katowice and the informal process since COP25.

Australia, on behalf of the Umbrella Group, emphasised the need to send a strong forward-looking commitment to continue strengthening action in the 2020s to keep 1.5C in reach. Other important elements included finalisation of the Paris guidance on markets, transparency on tabular formats, common time frames for NDCs, as well as work on adaptation, climate finance and loss and damage.

It also emphasised the completion of work on the ETF and called on Parties to be engaged in completing the mandates from COP24, particularly in finalising tables of the GHG inventory and tracking progress towards NDCs. The Group also urged the completion of Article 6, which is important to finalise if we are to benefit from the power of markets to build ambition and achieve the Paris goals. It also recognised the critical role climate finance plays in supporting countries to transition to a net zero future, adapt to the impacts of climate change and enhance nature-based solutions. It also mentioned that it will work with other donors on the delivery plan to provide clarity on their efforts and when the USD100 billion goal will be achieved. It said further that there is a need to improve our collective efforts to ensure all countries and finance providers, both public and private sectors, are working to align finance flows with low emissions and climate-resilient development. It looked forward to initiating discussions on the new global finance goal, working on the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage.

Nicaragua said that the root of the climate problem is driven by the large capitalist economies through the destructive models of production and consumption. It said that the 10 largest emitting countries represent 83% of global emissions, while the 100 countries with the lowest emissions represent only 3%. It said that the group did not agree with reaching carbon neutrality in the second half of the century, adding that this represents a huge step backwards from the 2°C and 1.5°C targets, as the 2050 target is too late.

It added that it is imperative that countries of the world adopt a model of civilisation that defends Mother Earth, and where nature and human beings are a totality – and the totality of Mother Earth to replace the anthropocentric model in which subject nature at the service of humans. Concrete results from the COP26 must be based on the CBDR principle, and that illegal unilateral coercive measures must cease immediately. It also emphasised that loss and damage must be raised to equal importance as mitigation and adaptation. The commodification of mother earth must be avoided through the so-called cooperative approaches of Article 6, which includes establishing carbon markets, said the group further.