Constraining the rise of Earth’s temperature by 1.5 ºC in the next two decades is the main goal of COP26 (MaxPixel)

By Deborah Lopes, to NINJA Collaborative Coverage of COP26

The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) report released early this year had already anticipated some facts around the importance of establishing constraining measures to stop the rise of climate change.

O Painel Intergovernamental sobre Mudanças Climáticas (IPCC), divulgado este ano,  já tinha adiantado algumas constatações sobre a importância de estabelecer medidas para impedir o avanço das crises climáticas.

Based on IPCC report, the main topics orienting the discussions about climate change in COP26 are as follows:

Funding mobilization for climate: The goal is to get developing countries to make USD 100 billion/year available to aid developing countries in reducing fossil fuel emissions.

Ambitious goals to limit Earth’s temperature rise by 1.5 ºC: Countries are being asked to present their goals for reducing emissions of greenhouse effect gases. Therefore, they are being pressed to speed up a complete ban of coal mining, reduce deforestation, and increase the adoption of electric vehicles, besides encouraging investments in renewable energy.

Decarbonization and the carbon market: This is perhaps the most ambitious goal of the Conference. Negotiations around transitioning to a carbon-zero economy are at the table. Carbon credits and the Paris Agreement guidelines around this are also to be discussed.

The end of coal mining: Countries are meant to negotiate a deadline to stop coal mining. However, this measure is flexible and allows countries to keep using some kinds of coal as long as the majority of emissions of greenhouse effect gases are captured, preventing their release in the atmosphere.

Protection of natural habitats: This is a collective goal in which countries are advised to work together in order to encourage and build their capacity to protect and restore ecosystems, build defense and alert systems for agriculture and zero deforestation so that they reach climatic and biodiversity goals without disturbing food chains. Regarding agriculture, discussions around reducing methane emissions are also taking place.

Beyond these sensitive topics for most countries, COP26 must also finish the so-called Paris Agreement Rulebook, which is its operational part. Both in plenaries and side events, the parties will engage in discussions and negotiations, especially the most affected sectors of society, the business sector, and those interested in climate.

@MidiaNinja and @CasaNinjaAmazonia are engaged in a special coverage of COP26. Follow the hashtag @ninjanacop on social media!