Preparing for COP26
This year the UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) on 31 October – 12 November 2021 in Glasgow. COP aims to bring together over 200 countries, parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and numerous non-governmental observer organisations for a global summit.
Click here for more information on COP26
This year, COP26 is an important milestone as parties updated their nationally determined contributions (NDC) in the form of national climate change plans. These plans indicate actions for reducing emissions in order to keep the hope of holding global temperature rises in the range of 1.5-2.0 °C over preindustrial levels, as set out in the Paris Agreement. The NDC also indicate action in order to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Yet, the negotiations mostly focused on finance for climate action. Future funding from high-income countries for climate change adaptation in middle- and low-income countries as well as loss and damage is particularly relevant from an African perspective.
African countries face the dual challenge of trying to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (i.e., SDG 7 of Universal Access to energy) whilst still trying to reduce emissions. This is a dual challenge that other geographical areas face to a lesser extent, and is highlighted by the contrasting NDCs seen between low income and high income countries. South Africa remains a role model for the greater African continent, suggesting commitments made during COP26 and the progress to meet requirements set out in the Paris Agreement will ripple out to other African countries.
Researchers from both the African Climate & Development Initiative and ARUA – Climate and Development present research exploring this dual challenge through their work on climate governance and NDCs
Read South Africa’s “Climate Summit” country snapshot - one example of an assessment (developed by a group of think tanks) highlighting what South Africa is and should be bringing to the table.
Useful articles and resources in preparation for COP26
In preparation for COP26 the African Climate & Development Initiative has collected some useful links which cover a range of discussion points to be highlighted at this year’s COP.
Five ways in which finance for climate adaptation in Africa falls short
Climate change could cause abrupt biodiversity losses this century
Global warming has already raised the risk of more severe droughts in Cape Town
Guest post: How to assess the multiple interacting risks of climate change
Climate change has already hit Southern Africa. Here’s how we know
How much climate change is caused by humans?
Developing countries need to set their own course on net zero emissions
Global emissions are way off target: what needs to happen
COP26: Africa’s challenges must steer the climate change conference
COP26: what’s the point of this year’s UN climate summit in Glasgow?
The Climate Connection COP26 Higher Education Roundtable Series