Impactful Actions at CoP26 Point to Progress on Climate Change

In an interview with UN News, Martina Donlon, head of Climate Communications Team at the UN, commented on three agreements and initiatives she deemed most impactful.

Phasing Down Coal

Ms. Donlon pointed out that at the conclusion of the conference, countries agreed to accelerate action during “this decisive decade” to cut global emissions in half. The COP26 outcome document, known as the Glasgow Climate Pact calls on 197 countries to present stronger national action plans for increasingly ambitious climate actions next year.

Moreover, Ms. Donlon noted that the pact calls for a phase down of coal and a phase out of fossil fuel subsidies, “two key issues that had never been explicitly mentioned in a decision at climate talks before - despite coal, oil and gas being the key drivers of global warming”.

According to the UN official, Glasgow signaled “an accelerated shift away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy”.

Doubling Financial Support

The second most impactful outcome of the Glasgow pact is its call for the doubling of finance to support developing countries in adapting to the impacts of climate change.

“Although this will not provide all of the funding needed by poorer countries, the fact that developing countries agreed to double their collective funds for addoption is a major improvement,” Ms. Donlon underscored.

She stressed that the UN Secretary-General has been pushing for increased financing to protect lives and livelihoods and said that this would “especially benefit least developed countries and small island” States.

Methane, Coal and Forests

There were a host of other deals and announcements, such as on methane, coal, forests and sustainable transport that could all have very positive impacts if they

are implemented, the UN official said.

COP26 also sent a signal to markets that it is no longer acceptable to invest in heavily polluting sectors.

“So, these changes will have an impact on our lives, and probably sooner than we think,” she said.

Sprouter Energy impact on climate change

Reflecting on the three areas mentioned by Ms. Donlon, Sprouter Energy plays a part in all three actionable initiatives.

The transition away from coal energy to green renewable energy is the core of Sprouter Energy, creating a green renewable while promoting economic and transitional growth in the communities effected.

The circular economy model on which Sprouter Energy is based, supports financially responsible growth in developing nations, providing affordable, green renewable energy and by-products needed for growth. In relation to small islands, the model addresses waste challenges by converting them into affordable green renewable power, community supporting by-products and waste-water management.

The methane pledge is directly part of the circular economy process of Sprouter Energy, reducing the amount of methane emitting waste in transforming it into green renewable energy. This directly relates to reducing the amount of coal and wood-fueled power plants thus reducing the negative impact on the environment.

Excerpts and quotes taken from a 22 November 2021 interview with Alexandre Soares of UN News. https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/11/1106242