WE MARCH ON, SAY CAMPAIGNERS

Climate campaigners have vowed to continue the fight after the deal struck at COP26 failed to make the commitments needed to avert damaging global heating.

While the conference ended in an agreement, the Glasgow Climate Pact, the pledges on emissions cuts fall well short of those scientists say is needed to keep the rise in global temperature to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. A commitment to phase out the burning of coal was watered down in the final text, and poorer countries were also left disappointed at a lack of progress on the money committed to help them cope with the effects of climate change.

Following the conference, the Rev Dr Martin Johnstone, COP26 for Glasgow Churches Together, blogged: “Progress has been made… but it is nowhere near enough, and nowhere near fast enough.

“Millions will die because of our inaction. Increasing parts of our planet will become uninhabitable. The science is irrefutable.

This is ‘code red’ for humanity. When we need, more than ever, to act together, populist nationalism is on the rise. In the closing plenary of COP26, small island nations such as the Maldives spoke of too little, too late. A way of life is disappearing as the waters rise. And yet the funds promised in 2009 remain unpaid whilst all the time the cost rises and the damage becomes irreversible.”

Aid agencies also reacted with disappointment. Dr Ruth Valerio, Director of Advocacy and Influencing at Tearfund, said: “Despite some steps forward, the world is on track for 2.4C of global heating, subjecting millions more people to extreme heat and dangerous weather. The climate crisis is here and people are already suffering.

“COP26 failed to deliver on long overdue promises or heed the loud cries of climate vulnerable nations for any support in the face of increasing climate disasters. Whilst the pledges made at this summit have put some hope for a future below 2C on the table, right now these are just words. We urgently need richer nations to turn this into reality, coming back in 2022 with 1.5C aligned climate commitments, consigning all dirty fossil fuels to the history books, and finally stumping up the long overdue $100bn a year to help vulnerable countries adjust to a more unpredictable and dangerous future.

“Climate justice won’t be achieved by a single person or decision - but millions of us will keep playing our part while we call on world leaders to play theirs.”

Amanda Mukwashi, CEO of Christian Aid, said: “We were told that COP26 was the last best chance to keep 1.5C alive but it’s been placed on life support. Rich nations have kicked the can down the road and with it the promise of the urgent climate action people on the frontline of this crisis need.

“After two weeks of negotiations, the voices of those experiencing the harsh impacts of climate change have largely been excluded and not been heeded. Warm words on loss and damage and finance for developing countries to adapt to climate change are not good enough. Rich nations need to accept their responsibility, put their money where their mouths are, and provide the billions needed. Developing nations have done the least to cause this crisis but have shown commitment to tackling it.

“Throughout COP26, people of faith have united with activists from the Global South, feminists, youth and indigenous people to demand climate justice. Our movement has never been stronger and this must be the legacy from Glasgow to keep hope alive.”