GLASGOW (Scotland) — At the U.N. climate summit on Tuesday, world leaders pledged to save Earth’s forests, reduce methane emissions, and help South Africa get off coal — all part of a flurry to avert catastrophic worldwide warming.
The UK hailed over 100 countries’ commitment to ending deforestation within the next decade as the first major achievement at the conference in Glasgow, also known as COP26. However, experts pointed out that such promises have been broken before.
According to the U.K. government, it received pledges from leaders representing more that 85% of the world’s forests to stop and reverse deforestation by 2030. There are many countries with large forests, such as Brazil, China and Colombia, Indonesia, Russia, Congo, Congo, Indonesia and the United States.
The plan has received more than $19 billion from both public and private sources.
Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister, stated that “with today’s unprecedented promises, we will have the chance to end mankind’s long history of being nature’s conqueror” and instead become its custodian. Let’s stop this chainsaw massacre and make conservation do what it knows it can, which is to deliver long-term sustainable employment and growth.
Experts and observers agree that fulfilling the pledge is crucial to limit climate change. However, many pointed out that grandiose promises made in the past have had little impact.
On Twitter, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres stated that signing the declaration was the easiest part. It is vital that the declaration is immediately implemented for the benefit of both people and the planet.
Alison Hoare is a senior research fellow at Chatham House and said that world leaders had promised to end deforestation by 2030 in 2014. However, deforestation has increased across many countries since then.
Brian Rohan, Head of Forests at ClientEarth’s environmental law charity ClientEarth said that the pledge must have teeth in order to be successful.
Forests are an important ecosystem and provide a crucial way for the atmosphere to absorb carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. However, the rising demand for pastoral and agricultural land and wood’s value as a commodity are driving widespread illegal forest felling, especially in developing countries.
Joseph Itongwa Mukumo from Congo, an Indigenous Walikale activist and activist, said that “We are thrilled to see Indigenous Peoples included in the forest deal”
He urged governments and businesses alike to acknowledge the important role that Indigenous communities play in preventing deforestation.
“These are billions of dollars in investment towards environment preservation, but it’s very hard for this money reach Indigenous communities, reach Traditional communities,” Chief Ninawa, a leader from the Huni Kui tribes of the Amazon, said at the summit.
Luciana Tellez Chavez is an environmental researcher at Human Right Watch. She said that the agreement has “quite some really positive elements.”
She said that the U.S., Britain, and the EU are making progress in restricting imports of goods related to deforestation or human rights violations.
She noted, however, that Brazil’s public statements are not yet in line with its domestic policies. She also warned that some countries could use the deal to “greenwash their image”.
In the aftermath of the recent deforestation and fires that devastated the Amazon rainforest and Pantanal wetlands, the Brazilian government has sought to present itself as an environmental steward. This was despite the fact that the actions have sparked international outrage and threatened divestment. However, critics warn that promises made by Brazil should be taken with caution. Jair Bolsonaro is a vocal advocate for developing the Amazon.
Around 130 world leaders will be in Glasgow to discuss what the host country believes is the last real chance to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degree Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels, the goal that the world set six years ago in Paris.
Monday’s warnings by officials and activists were made clear to leaders. Scientists warn that increasing global warming will lead to melting of large swathes of Earth’s ice and an increase in extreme weather.
The administration of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden announced a plan to lower methane emissions. This is a powerful greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to global warming. This announcement was part of an overall effort by the European Union and other countries to reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
The Biden plan focuses on reducing methane flaring, leaks from oil wells, and gas pipeline leaks. This is one of the most effective ways to reduce emissions. It is more difficult to reduce methane from agriculture, particularly by belching cows.
Helen Mountford, a climate expert from the World Resources Institute, stated that the agreement “sets an important floor in terms of what ambition we need globally.”
British officials said that commitments made so far in Glasgow were “very encouraging.” However, Max Blain, Johnson’s spokesperson, warned: “We aren’t complacent. This is by no means a closed deal.
Separately, the United States of America, Britain, France, France, and Germany announced plans to provide expertise and funds to assist South Africa in eliminating coal as a major source for greenhouse gas emissions.
South Africa, which receives about 90% of its electricity from coal fired plants, will receive $8.5 billion in loans, grants, and other financial assistance over five years for more renewable energy.
These announcements were not part the formal negotiations in Glasgow but a reflection on the efforts of many countries to achieve previously agreed targets.
Campaigners argue that the biggest carbon emitters in the world need to do more. Already, the Earth has warmed by 1.1 degrees Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit). Based on current projections, it is expected to reach 2.7C (4.9F), by 2100.
“I don’t believe that activists are being heard here,” stated Mitzi Jonelle Tan, a climate activist hailing from the Philippines.
She stated, “We must make sure we rally together and make it so loud that the leaders of the world can’t ignore us.” “Because every degree counts, every step in the right direction is important here.
Participants at the conference seemed eager to take part in major initiatives. Tuesday’s vegetarian haggis, a Scottish delicacy made with sheep’s lung, sold out for a few moments. Servers said that it was selling out faster than the traditional version — which is perhaps not surprising given the number of people who are well aware of the negative effects of meat-eating on climate change.
