Cop26Uk was also an opportunity to promote the steps forward made in international cooperation in support of the ecological transition of African countries. According to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von Del Leyen, among the “models to be replicated”, there is for example the partnership for the green transition of South Africa, which sees the convergence of various countries (France, Germany, United Kingdom and USA ) in addition to the European Union, to accompany the African country to the abandonment of fossil coal as a source of energy in favor of clean energy.
Putin: we rely on our forests for zero emissions by 2060
Remotely linking to the work of the Conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin explained that Russia is relying on its vast forests and “their significant ability to absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen” to reach the goal of zero emissions by 2060. “Our country has about 20% of the world‘s forests,” Putin specified in a video message. “We are improving forest management and fighting illegal logging and forest fires. We are expanding reforestation areas and have steadily increased funding for these purposes, ”Putin added. The Russian leader said that Moscow expects the new declaration on forests and land use, supported by 100 countries, to facilitate “closer partnerships” between countries for forest conservation and help “to achieve the goals set in the ‘Paris Agreement ”.
During the proceedings, the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instead announced the start of an aid program for the climate transition of developing countries with funding of up to 10 billion dollars. Kishida, who was re-elected just two days ago, said the expected $ 2 billion more a year over five years adds to the $ 60 billion his predecessor had already announced in June. Japan has set a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030. “Japan will push efforts to achieve net zero emissions in Asia, the engine of global economic growth, ”Kishida said in his speech at the leaders’ session at the Glasgow conference.
Bezos pledges $ 2bn to reduce soil erosion
Among the announcements that punctuated the work of the second and final day of the World Leaders Summit at Cop26 in Glasgow, the meeting of the heads of state and government to announce the commitments of their countries for decarbonization, the environmental commitment of Jeff Bezos stands out. , founder of Amazon, also known for being one of the richest men in the world. The Bezos Earth Fund has in fact allocated two billion dollars to combat climate change by restoring the landscape and transforming agricultural systems. The fund plans to spend $ 1 billion primarily in the United States and Africa, planting trees to protect eroding soil and restoring areas that capture high levels of carbon dioxide. The remaining $ 1 billion will go towards transforming agricultural systems to try to increase yields, reduce food waste and encourage plant-based diets. “We need to conserve what we have, restore what we have lost and grow what we need in harmony with nature,” Bezos said. The $ 2 billion commitment to COP26 is part of the $ 10 billion Bezos pledged to spend by 2030 in an effort to combat climate change.