What Is COP26 and Why Is It Important?

In this blog, we look at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), its goals, and why it could be vital in the fight against climate change.

What is COP26?

COP26 is the UN climate change summit that is taking place this year. It’s being held in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November under the presidency of the United Kingdom and 200 countries are being asked for their plans to cut emissions by 2030.

Announcements could include phasing out the use of coal power, a faster switch to electric cars, limiting deforestation and investing in protection against climate-caused extreme weather.

Up to 25,000 people are expected in Glasgow, including world leaders, negotiators and journalists. Climate campaigners will also be there, demanding swift action from the world leaders.

What are the goals of COP26?

Organisers have set out the following four goals for COP26:

1. Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach

This is where countries will be asked for their plans to cut emissions by 2030 and again by 2050. Ambitious plans are expected, with aims to phase out fossil fuels more quickly, stop deforestation, switch to electric faster and invest in renewable energy as a replacement for coal.

2. Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats

Many countries are already being drastically impacted by the climate crisis, so one of the goals is to make changes now to protect our natural environment, as well as our fellow human beings who are suffering as a result of climate change.

The protection and restoration of ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands and oceans, will be vital in reaching this goal, as well as putting defences and resilient infrastructure in place to protect against extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent and damaging as a result of the climate crisis.

3. Mobilise finance

The third goal that has been set for COP26, and must be in place in order to reach the first two, is to direct finance towards tackling the climate crisis.

The organisers are asking developed countries to make sure they are meeting their promise of investing at least $100bn in climate finance per year by 2020 – a date that has already passed.

This finance needs to be accelerated over the next decade so that trillions are being invested into tackling the climate crisis soon.

4. Work together to deliver

The final goal laid out in the plan for COP26 involves collaboration between the 200 countries that signed the Paris agreement.

The negotiations will focus on finalising the ‘Paris Rulebook’ which is the set of rules that will need to be followed by all in order to honour the Paris Agreement. This will primarily include finding a solution on the carbon industry that supports the transition to net zero, resolving the issues of transparency by putting a universal measuring system in place and reaching an agreement that drives ambition from governments.

Why is COP26 important?

Although our individual actions do matter, we need decisive action from world leaders to effectively tackle the climate crisis, which is why COP26 is so important. It is expected that a declaration will be made at the end of the conference which could be the key to tackling the climate crisis on a global scale.

The SearchScene team will be eagerly tuned into COP26 with the hope that substantial and immediate climate targets will be agreed upon by the countries involved.

In the meantime, you can do your bit by making simple daily changes such as switching your search engine to SearchScene.

Rather than keeping all of our profits like Google, we donate 95% of our profits to charity, with a focus on those that work on tackling climate change and helping those it affects.