4. What is the importance of COP26?

COP26 is one of the most important climate events since the failed Kyoto Protocol in 2009, or the presentation of the Paris Agreement, in 2015. COP26 is the culmination of a quarter of a century of meetings, summits, conventions, whose history, unfortunately It has been a long chain of good intentions, ideas, promises, protocols, and agreements that have fallen by the wayside. Meanwhile, the burning of fossil fuels, the deforestation of tropical forests, the pollution of the oceans, etc., have not ceased, and neither have their consequences. The constant increase in global temperature causing droughts, water shortages, fires, forestry, and desertification and soil degradation, just to name a few phenomenon resulting from climate change.

However, we must recognize that in these 25 years many people have improved their perception of issues such as global warming, climate change, fossil fuels. It is also to be recognized that they have incorporated concepts such as wind energy, solar energy, green cities, electromobility, circular economy into their vocabulary. However, still few know about the recent alliance to accelerate green hydrogen production, the most serious and credible initiative to leave the oil age behind.

Neither is the Race to Zero, “It mobilizes a coalition of leading net zero initiatives, representing 733 cities, 31 regions, 3,067 businesses, 173 of the biggest investors, and 622 Higher Education Institutions. These ‘real economy’ actors join 120 countries in the largest ever alliance committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. Collectively these actors now cover nearly 25% global CO2 emissions and over 50% GDP, as the UNFCCC website refers to.

Finally, we reiterate that in Glasgow there will be no more excuses, postponements, delays, sabotage, last minute surprises or kicking the negotiating table. At the important climate summit, it will be known who is with the Paris Agreement and who is not. We are committed to a unanimous celebration, 100% all inside, no one outside. So it should be. Climate change does not wait, the planet is impatient, and we will all pay the consequences.