Obama addresses Glasgow talks.
Australia remains a focus of frustration at the Glasgow COP26 climate negotiations, but not the only one, as former US president Barack Obama pointed the finger at China and Russia for their non attendance, and at the Republicans for doing everything they could to stand in the way of climate action.
At least Australia turned up, although they are missing for the key second week of the negotiations, which have now largely disappeared behind closed doors as ministers fly in (and as Angus Taylor flies out) and the focus switches to details such as carbon market rules, ratchet mechanisms and finance.
Australia plan just a brochure
The EU has ratcheted up pressure on rich countries, particularly Australia, to do more on emissions cuts over the short term, and to offer more money to help developing nations deal with the climate emergency.
“If we don’t make a success of this Cop, it’s difficult to see how we can reduce half the emissions in less than ten years. It needs to happen right now,” European Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans said adding that major emitters need to “not just to declare a date for carbon neutrality or climate neutrality” but come forward with policies to achieve it.
Dutch MEP Bas Eickhout singled out Australia when he said that while some analysis suggested that pledges made at Glasgow could cap global warming at below 2°C, some pledges were simply not believable.
“We all have to acknowledge there is a huge difference in the value of these pledges. Some pledges are really serious, for example the EU with its Fit for 55 package. But for example the pledge of Australia is literally a brochure.”
He applauded the work of young climate campaigners, urging them to not give into cynicism, but also admitted he sometimes felt bleak about the future, and that “images of dystopia start creeping into my dreams”.
“It will not be enough to preach to the choir, to ramp up intensity of people who know about climate change,” he said. “Protests are necessary to raise awareness and hashtag campaigns can spread awareness, but to deliver broad based coalition for bold action we need to persuade people who don’t currently agree with us, or those who are indifferent.”
Greenpeace International executive director Jennifer Morgan has seen it all before, noting the “strategic and utterly cynical” tactics of the fossil fuel giant. “Other governments now need to isolate the Saudi delegation if they want this COP to succeed for everyone, not just fossil fuel interests.”
She said the final text was looking weak, and added her support for the ratchet mechanism. “To keep 1.5°C alive, four words must be added: ‘Fossil fuels phase out’, and countries must come back next year to close the gap.”
Other fossil awards went to Mexico and the Czech Republic.
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