On October 31st the UN Climate Change Conference, or COP26, officially began. According to the official UN Climate Change Conference UK 2021 website, “The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goal of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.” The UK, which is hosting the conference, is committed to working with all the other countries, companies, and people to inspire climate action.

Mitigation, which is the goal of decreasing the severity of climate change, is the first listed goal on the official website. What was agreed upon back in Paris would only lower the warming to well above 3 degrees by 2100, but the UK’s goal is to limit warming to 1.5 degrees by 2100. If nothing changes the world will face more environmental catastrophes such as disastrous  flooding, bush fires, extreme weather, and the extinction of many species. If we are to limit global temperatures to 1.5 degrees, the world needs to halve emissions within the next decade. Countries have now agreed to take part in a five year cycle, where they update their policies every five years. 

The second goal, which is adaptation, talks about how to live with the damage that has already been done. Many people across the world are dealing with the aftermath of these catastrophic events, and are finding ways to adapt to the damage, and even as the world is fighting hard to fix this damage, change is now inevitable. The actions these countries plan to take are funding reconstruction of the damaged homes and properties, funding for habitat restoration and protection, and Adaptation Communication. According to the official website, Adaption Communication is ”a summary of what they are doing and planning to do to adapt to the impacts of the changing climate, challenges they face and where they need help. These plans will help us learn together and share best practice between countries.”

The next goal is finance which talks all about how companies should seek investment and innovation in renewable and sustainable solutions. Public finance is to encourage renewable and environmentally friendly architecture and infrastructure, in order to transition and attain “a greener and more climate-resilient economy”. Private Finance is hoped to fund new technologies that are environmentally responsible. In order for this to happen, private companies must take part in these policies and change many of their usual operations to be more eco-friendly. They must also be willing to be transparent about how they are operating. Banks and investors must also take into account the costs of climate change and be prepared to pay for all the costs that may occur. 

The last goal is collaboration. In order for this goal to be attained, each country must find a solution on carbon markets, resolve the issue of transparency, and broker an investment that drives ambition. To support the move to net zero, a system of carbon credits must be created. Along with the system, every country must be sure to fulfill their responsibility and stay committed. 

In total, 195 countries signed the accords in Paris for COP21. COP26 will continue until the 12th of November. Hopefully as many, or even more countries will sign the agreement including counties such as China, the United States, and Australia who all have a large impact on the world’s climate. When these countries come together, it’s ideal we will be able to keep the climate under control and put a stop to all the destruction.