COP26 Conference Priorities

Andrew Selous stressed the urgency of addressing climate change, highlighting that only 30% of the global economy was committed to net zero by 2050 when the UK assumed COP presidency, but this figure has now risen to 73%. He advocated for a harmonious integration of technology, policy and markets. Additionally, he discussed the importance of reducing food waste emissions, encouraging agroecological practices in agriculture, and supporting initiatives like the '4 per 1000' soil carbon sequestration target.

The UK Government needs to show bold leadership and address the gap between their net zero ambitions and policy implementation. She calls for clear direction from government on decarbonising sectors, urges them to support a climate and ecological emergency Bill that puts 1.5°C in statute, highlights the need to adapt to protect communities and natural habitats, and stresses the importance of mobilising finance for loss and damage.

Ms Webbe highlighted the urgency of adhering to the 1.5°C target set by the Paris agreement and stressed the necessity of a significant investment of £33 billion per year towards achieving the UK's net zero emissions goal by 2050. She also mentioned the detrimental effects of global fossil fuel subsidies, estimated at $5 trillion annually, and called for their elimination to reduce carbon emissions and air pollution deaths.

Scotland aims to demonstrate leadership in tackling climate change by setting binding net zero targets and reducing emissions faster than the rest of the UK. The Scottish Government is working towards a just transition, creating a climate justice fund, and ensuring voices of young people and disadvantaged groups are heard at COP26. Deidre Brock questioned the UK Government's commitment to its own climate targets and urged for urgent actions to keep them on track. She also inquired about updates on the Green Jobs Taskforce and replacement for the green homes grant scheme.

Discussed global fossil fuel subsidies and the need for a border carbon tax to prevent dirty Chinese steel displacing UK steel. Highlighted the importance of World Health Organisation air-quality standards and called for a ban on wood burning in urban environments, as well as a moratorium on incineration due to health risks.

Welcomed the Government's commitment to climate change targets and highlighted the importance of all parties submitting ambitious national contributions. Emphasised the need for a national effort to decrease carbon emissions, mentioning a 3% reduction since 2018 and a 44% drop from 1990 levels. Raised concerns about blue carbon in coastal habitats and its role in climate change mitigation.

Noted the progress made since the Paris agreement but highlighted that many nations have yet to set net zero targets or present ambitious nationally determined contributions. Emphasised the existential threats faced by small island developing states due to climate change and called for prioritising agreements on protecting blue carbon stores, stopping global decline in marine biodiversity, and addressing loss and damage alongside adaptation.

The MP stressed the importance of focusing COP26 on limiting global heating to 1.5° over pre-industrial levels, highlighting the lack of a global consensus on this target. He urged for more openness and transparency about commitments required from each party to achieve this goal by 2030. Additionally, he called out countries such as Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, and Australia for their inadequate contributions and insufficient ambition in mitigating climate change. The Government needs to agree that the $100 billion commitment should be met in full by the UN General Assembly in September, as there is a $17 billion shortfall which cannot wait any longer for COP26 to succeed.

Called for bolder action to combat climate change, citing recent extreme weather events and the need for a global strategy linking climate and ecological crises. Advocated for climate finance and a stimulus package supporting decarbonisation in developing nations.

Ms Blake highlighted the urgent need for serious action regarding climate change and ecosystem protection. She criticized the Government's lack of a clear strategy on nature restoration, pointing out that 41% of UK species are declining and one in ten is threatened with extinction. She also noted that only 40% of deep peatlands are protected by legislation and questioned the Minister's credibility to negotiate effectively at COP26.

The opportunity of hosting COP26 gives the Prime Minister a chance to show leadership in climate action. The Government needs to give the same urgency to tackling climate change as they did to dealing with the pandemic and deliver more plans and actions before the conference.

Emphasised the importance of COP26 for tackling climate change globally, highlighting nature-based solutions such as tree planting and protecting coastal habitats. Stressed that nature-based solutions have potential to mitigate 30% of global climate efforts required to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C.

The Government's recent decisions undermine their credibility on the international stage. They need to finalise the Paris rulebook, including article 6 and transparency issues, and operationalise the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage by COP26.