Although not the transformative COP the world needs at this point - recent analysis has shown we are on course for between 2.4C and 2.8C because new plans by countries have been too weak - there have been signs of progress and pockets of real change.  However, more than ever we believe that after COP26 in Glasgow the fight to end climate change is neither a marathon nor a sprint, but rather a relay race — the fundamental point being that the baton isn’t dropped between summits and that progress is achieved at each gathering.

Progress update

1.

Loss and Damage

After 48 hours of negotiations by parties, Loss & Damage was included in the official COP 27 agenda, looking particularly at how to fund nations that are mostly impacted by climate change. This is considered a big milestone and achievement for developing countries and jurisdictions as they have been continuously calling for its inclusion in the debate agenda.

2.

Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership

Launched on 7th November, a voluntary partnership of 26 countries and jurisdictions (FCLP) came together to commit to scale up action to protect, conserve and restore the world’s forests and to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030.

3.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda

On 8th November, the launch of the Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda (PDF, 669KB) was announced, stressing the importance of cooperation and the work of parties to act together to find climate change adaptation solutions.

4.

Finance Sector Deforestation Action initiative

FSDA: Leading financial institutions from Japan to Norway to Brazil, all signatories to the Financial Sector Commitment, will act towards eliminating commodity-driven deforestation from portfolios to help drive progress towards a net zero, nature-positive economy.

5.

New Gold Standard for Best Practice Climate Transition Plans

Launched by the UK’s Transition Plan Task force, the gold standard for climate transition plans aims at supporting organizations in developing net zero transition plans. Read about our reaction in section 2 below.

6.

“Integrity Matters: Net Zero Commitments" report

Released by the High-Level Expert Group on Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities, this report (PDF, 6.5MB) provides a crucial roadmap to bring integrity to net zero commitments by industry, financial institutions, cities and regions and to support a global, equitable transition to a sustainable future.

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Get in touch

If you are ready to move from talk to action or want to accelerate your sustainability progress please get in touch with Russell Smith, Head of Sustainable Futures. We’d be delighted to hear from you.

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