Progress at COP26 Must Now Lead to Accelerated, Equitable Implementation of Climate Solutions

"At the conclusion of the U.N. climate talks in Glasgow, world leaders reaffirmed their individual and collective commitments that will allow countries to take the next steps to put the Paris Agreement into action," said Daniel Bresette, executive director of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). "Now that the Paris Agreement rulebook is finalized, these plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions must be implemented with the urgency that comes with knowing that time is running out to avoid the worst outcomes of climate change."

"Glasgow yielded an agreement on greater transparency to help countries keep track of and report on their progress, as well as more financial support for adaptation for developing countries than at any previous COP—although still at levels far below what we require. The text also calls for an end to fossil fuel subsidies that make it harder to meet our climate goals. I also appreciate that climate adaptation, international climate finance, youth empowerment, and gender equity received more attention and discussion in the climate talks than before, which I hope carries forward to next year when Egypt hosts the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

"EESI was primarily engaged in COP26 to help inform U.S. policymakers, and it was encouraging to see the United States once again embrace a leadership role in climate negotiations. U.S. leadership has been and will continue to be absolutely critical in efforts to address climate change. In particular, the Congressional delegation to COP26 was the largest yet and included Speaker Nancy Pelosi and senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle. Congress has an essential role in developing new policies and funding new investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at home and abroad. Congressional engagement, in addition to substantive U.S. participation in negotiations, sends a positive message to the world that policymakers are serious about climate change and able to work together when it matters most of all."

Resources

• Briefing Series: What Congress Needs to Know in the Lead Up to COP26
• Congress at COP26 Tracker: Congress and Other U.S. Officials at the 2021 U.N. Climate Summit
• COP26 Announcement Tracker: Key Announcements from the 2021 U.N. Climate Summit
• COP26 Report Tracker: Key Climate Reports Launched at the 2021 U.N. Climate Summit
• Newsletter Archive: Glasgow Dispatch: What Congress Needs to Know About COP26