Climate agreement keeps 1.5°C goal within reach, but emissions cuts fall short

The COP26 summit in Glasgow ended with an agreement hailed by supporters as vital for limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C, a key threshold set in the 2015 Paris agreement. However, the negotiations were marred by late disagreements, particularly regarding coal. India intervened at the last minute to alter the language on phasing out coal, shifting it to a commitment to “phase down” the dirtiest fossil fuel instead, which weakened the resolution on fossil fuel reductions.

Despite this setback, the “Glasgow climate pact” was adopted, signaling global commitment to tackling the climate crisis. However, the emission reduction pledges made at COP26 were insufficient to meet the target of keeping global warming below 1.5°C, according to scientific assessments. Governments have agreed to reconvene in 2022 in Egypt to reassess and enhance their commitments.

Alok Sharma, who led the COP26 negotiations, acknowledged the magnitude of the task ahead. He stressed that while the 1.5°C goal remains alive, it is fragile and will only survive if promises are translated into swift action.