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COP26: New cover decision draft published, calls for less action on emissions

By Ishika Dangayach on Nov 12, 2021 | 04:32 AM IST

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The document will be negotiated by 197 nations to get a final agreement before the summit ends.

The seven-page draft lacks specifics on future payments from affluent nations. 

  The draft uses weaker pledges to phase out coal and other fossil fuels. 

A new COP26 draft agreement released on Friday urgers the nation to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a far faster rate than previously while maintaining an unusual mention of coal and other fossil fuels.

The proposal which arrives on the penultimate day of the almost two-week climate summit is weaker than the previous one since it employs watered-down wording, some of which can be interpreted, CNN reported.

Read more: “Weak terms” in COP26 draft document could raise temperatures to 2.4°C

The accord, known as a "cover decision," is being eagerly monitored to see what it would commit nations to do to bridge the gap between their present climate commitments and the more aggressive action experts say is required to avoid catastrophic levels of warming.

The deal, which was issued by the UK COP26 presidency is not final, it will still need to be discussed and require the approval of all the nations participating in the negotiations.

Scientists have asked to limit temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius which can be done by a 45 percent reduction in global emissions by 2030 and net-zero by mid-century.

Read more: Saudi Arabia minister says battle against climate change should not shun any particular energy source

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the target to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is “on life support” as the COP26 climate summit enters its final days.

However, he said, “until the last moment, hope should be maintained” for cutting carbon emissions by about half by 2030, which is one of the three main priorities for the UN’s annual conference.

According to scientists, one illustration of the consequence of global temperature rises exceeding 2 degrees Celsius is the death of virtually all coral reefs.

Read more: COP26: Has global warming threat reduced one week into Glasgow meet?

The draft asked that nations submit their plans to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change before next year's climate conference, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Previously, nations were required to report these NDCs every five years under previous accords.

Climate Finance

A critical concern for the developing world is addressed in the draft. It urges developed nations to urgently scale-up financial assistance to underdeveloped countries. 

Read more: COP26: 50 countries pledge to create climate-resilient health systems

The updated draft states that beginning 2025, developed nations should double the funding they presently put aside to assist poor countries in adapting to climate consequences. 

Though the seven-page draft lacks specifics on future payments from affluent nations, which are mostly responsible for global warming, poorer countries bear the burden of climate change. 

Read more: U.S.-China come together to deal with climate challenges

Moreover, research published at the summit on Tuesday, by Climate Action Tracker (CAT) indicated the short-term plans put in place by countries would result in global temperatures rising to 2.4C, by 2100. The Tracker is backed by several organizations including the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.

Inputs from BBC

Picture Credits: Germanwatch

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