[Epoch Times November 15, 2021](Epoch Times reporter Zhang Ting comprehensive report) After two weeks of marathon talks, nearly 200 countries reached a COP26 climate agreement on Saturday (November 13). However, China and India intervened at the last minute before the agreement was reached, and the wording of the key paragraphs on coal in the agreement was downplayed. The chairman of COP26 called China and India on Sunday and asked them to explain.
COP26 Chairman Alok Sharma said in an interview with the BBC program “Andrew Marr Show” on Sunday (November 14), “In the past few weeks, it is clear that some countries do not want coal language in this agreement. “, but finally agreed to include the word coal, “I think this (climate agreement) is absolutely historic.”
Shama also stated that the COP26 climate summit agreement reached on Saturday was a “fragile victory” and urged China and India to “prove” their actions to countries more vulnerable to global warming and explain why. They insisted on changing the key paragraphs of the climate agreement at the last minute.
“China and India will have to explain their words and deeds to the countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis in the world,” Shama said on Sunday.
The COP26 climate summit, which lasted for two weeks, ended on Saturday. For the first time, the participating countries mentioned in the agreement that they would work to reduce coal. Coal is considered to be the fossil fuel with the most serious greenhouse gas emissions.
However, this wide-ranging agreement is not legally binding. Before the final version of the agreement was released, China and India, two major coal-consuming countries, requested a change in the wording, causing the final version to replace the original proposal of “phasing out” with “gradual reduction” of coal. coal.
Some countries initially opposed China and India’s proposal, but eventually agreed to use the term “gradual reduction”.
The agreement still has flaws: no enforcement mechanism
The Wall Street Journal issued an article on November 13, stating that the latest climate summit agreement is aimed at accelerating the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions, but how governments in the next 10 years can avoid facing the most serious impact of climate change remains a major issue.
“Hua Ri” pointed out that the agreement still has shortcomings, it does not have an implementation mechanism, but relies on the sincerity of all countries to do its best to abide by its rules. In key areas, the agreement merely urges or requests countries to take action.
US Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, like many others, expressed disappointment that the summit did not reach a more specific commitment.
He said that now is the time to enter the “emergency mode”. Fossil fuel subsidies should be ended, coal should be phased out, carbon prices should be set, vulnerable communities should be protected, and the US$100 billion climate financing pledge should be fulfilled.
“We did not achieve these goals at this meeting. But we have laid some foundation for future progress,” he said.
“Hua Ri” stated that the climate summit representatives agreed to include language in the agreement urging countries to “gradually reduce” coal and “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies. This language is not binding on any country.
The agreement does not solve the problem of how rich countries will provide large amounts of money to poorer countries in the coming years. Developing countries say that without these funds, they will suffer catastrophic damage from climate change and will not be able to implement the emission reduction measures they have promised.
Editor in charge: Li Qiong #
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