Adaptation, mitigation and finance are all strengthened in a complex and delicate balance supported by all Parties.After six years of strenuous negotiations, pending items that prevented the full implementation of the Paris Agreement
on carbon markets and transparency have finally been approved.
Deliberations under the current session of the COP, CMP and CMA came to an end this Saturday in Glasgow, one day after
their scheduled conclusion. The wide-ranging set of decisions, resolutions and statements that constitute the outcome of
COP26 is the fruit of intense negotiations over the past two weeks, strenuous formal and informal work over many months,
and constant engagement both in-person and virtually for nearly two years. The package adopted today is a global
compromise that reflects a delicate balance between the interests and aspirations of nearly the 200 Parties to the core
instruments on the international regime that governs global efforts against climate change.
Under the UK presidency and with the support of the UNFCCC Secretariat, delegates forged agreements that strengthen
ambition in the three pillars of collective climate action.
Adaptation was the object of particular emphasis during the deliberations. Parties established a work programme to
define the global goal on adaptation, which will identify collective needs and solutions to the climate crisis already
affecting many countries. The Santiago Network was further strengthened by elaborating its functions in support of
countries to address and manage loss and damage. And the CMA approved the two registries for NDCs and Adaptation
Communications, which serve as channels for information flowing towards the Global Stocktake that is to take place every
five years starting in 2023.
Finance was extensively discussed throughout the session and there was consensus in the need to continue increasing
support to developing countries. The call to at least double finance for adaptation was welcomed by the Parties. The
duty to fulfill the pledge of providing 100 billion dollars annually from developed to developing countries was also
reaffirmed. And a process to define the new global goal on finance was launched.
On mitigation, the persistent gap in emissions has been clearly identified and Parties collectively agreed to work to
reduce that gap and to ensure that the world continues to advance during the present decade, so that the rise in the
average temperature is limited to 1.5 degrees. Parties are encouraged to strengthen their emissions reductions and to
align their national climate action pledges with the Paris Agreement.
In addition, a key outcome is the conclusion of the so-called Paris rulebook. An agreement was reached on the
fundamental norms related to Article 6 on carbon markets, which will make the Paris Agreement fully operational. This
will give certainty and predictability to both market and non-market approaches in support of mitigation as well as
adaptation. And the negotiations on the Enhanced Transparency Framework were also concluded, providing for agreed tables
and formats to account and report for targets and emissions.
Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change said: “I thank the Presidency and all Ministers for their
tireless efforts throughout the conference and I congratulate all Parties on finalizing the rulebook. This is an
excellent achievement! It means that the Paris Agreement can now function fully for the benefit of all, now and in the
future.”
Alok Sharma, UK President of COP26 said: “We can now say with credibility that we have kept 1.5 degrees alive. But, its
pulse is weak and it will only survive if we keep our promises and translate commitments into rapid action. I am
grateful to the UNFCCC for working with us to deliver a successful COP26.”
The Heads of State and Government and the delegates who participated in COP26 brought to the conference a keen awareness
of the severity of the climate crisis that the world faces and of the need to live up to the historic responsibility of
setting the world on the path to address this existential challenge. They leave Glasgow with clarity on the work that
needs to be done, more robust and effective instruments to achieve it, and a heightened commitment to promote climate
action —and to do so more quickly— in every area.
Further information can be found on the UNFCCC website.