COP26, what now?

In Bangladesh, they say that climate change tastes like salt.
Climate change is causing sea levels to rise; flooding homes and farmlands which make crops taste salty.

Now that the posturing and rhetoric are over, the time of hard negotiations has begun. You could say that the real work has begun. What these negotiations bring forth will determine whether COP26 has been a success or not. There is talk that some important groups have been left out of the process during the first week. Observers from civil society, representing indigenous, climate justice, women’s rights, environmental and academic organisations, should have been able to observe, interact and intervene in negotiations. 
However, “There are thousands of activists who should be here but who are missing and there is a shocking degree of closing space for civil society and frontline voices … it is offensive, unjust and unacceptable,” said Gina Cortes, a member of the Women and Gender Constituency [BBC News].
Civil society organisations usually send delegates to COP but have been unable to send as many due to “vaccine apartheid”, travel costs, an unhelpful immigration system in the UK and changing travel rules. At the same time, there were 503 delegates with links to fossil fuel interests. They lobby for oil and gas industries. Should they be there at all?

 This absence of a worthy watchdog to check on the fat cats of the wealthier and, it seems, more selfish nations, could spell trouble for any meaningful outcomes. There has also been a call from the Climate Vulnerable Forum which is made up of the 55 developing countries most negatively affected by climate change. They are demanding an annual check on countries’ progress on their pledges but this is unlikely as a previous agreement has stipulated a 5-year check on progress. Is this body being ignored because of who they are?

So, has COP26 been a success? It depends upon who you listen to. Irish Methodist World Development & Relief (WDR) has a particular fear for vulnerable communities; those living in poverty. Why should those who have contributed the least to the problem, be the ones to suffer most? WDR would echo the demands of many other similar agencies:

INCLUSIVE NEGOTIATIONS

• The voices of those on the frontline living in poverty should be heard.

 AMBITIOUS ACTION

• We need to end fossil fuel use and invest in clean energy to limit temperature rise to 1.5oC.

CLIMATE FINANCE

• The rich nations must deliver the $100 billion climate finance per year that they agreed 12 years ago.

LOSS AND DAMAGE

• There should be a new fund set up to provide compensation for the economic cost of loss and damage already experienced by developing countries.

On Saturday past, there was a climate change march in Belfast, as there was in Glasgow (where COP26 has been taking place) and many other cities around the world.

There was also a prayer event, for those who wished, beforehand. That remains the role for many of us.

Raising our voices, demanding change alongside the vulnerable and not stopping until we see justice done.

If we underestimate the value and effectiveness of such protest, we run the risk of seeing our planet being destroyed by a small number of elite politicians who, quite simply, just don’t seem to ‘get it’.