COP26 a last chance to fulfil Paris agreement goals

Synopsis: There are certain issues that need to be addressed in the upcoming Cop26 to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Background

• The Paris Agreement aims to restrict the rise of global temperature this century below 2-degree Celsius, above pre-industrial levels. And also, to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
• But an average global temperature rise of 2 °C, compared to 1.5 °C, would affect 100 million more people.
• Worryingly, the Climate Action Tracker estimates that countries’ current emissions reduction targets will lead us to an average temperature rises of 2.4 °C.
• In this background, COP26, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties is set to be hosted by the United Kingdom in Glasgow from November 2021.
• So, restricting the global temperature rise well below 1.5 degrees Celsius should be the main focus of COP26.

Read Also :-Important of Stepping Up National Climate Action Plans .

Steps taken by India to mitigate climate change

• One, India has committed to achieve significant domestic targets to have 450GW of renewable energy by 2030.
• Two, India’s leading role in establishing the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
• Three, India has played a critical role in delivering the landmark Paris Agreement.
• Four, the 2030 UK-India Roadmap to facilitate green growth agenda in both the countries.

What areas should Cop26 focus on?

• One, achieving Net-zero emissions. CoP26 leaders should push for a global action to reach net-zero emission by the middle of this century. Ambitious short-term targets backed up by a net-zero target will lead to a low carbon future.
• Two, addressing the issues of communities most vulnerable to climate change. CoP26 leaders should address, plan and deliver for the communities most vulnerable to climate change. Flood defences, warning systems and other vital efforts to minimise, the loss and damage caused by climate change should be worked out. India’s CDRI initiative is a step in the right direction.
• Third, Climate Finance. The CoP26 leaders should convince developed countries to deliver the $100 billion they promised annually to support developing countries. Right flow of finance and technology will help to meet the needs of developing countries such as India in their transition.
• Fourth, building consensus among governments, international collaboration, businesses and civil society Partnership are key to achieve the Paris agreement goals.

Source: The Hindu

Progress on Paris Climate Change Agreement: In India and world