BEYOND COP 26: Takeaways from the UN Climate Summit
Video Recording and Resources LINK HERE for event held Wed., 17 Nov 2021
Unitarian Universalists reviewed the COP26 UN Climate Summit in Glasgow. UUA-credentialed representatives shared about what they observed at the conference, where the world is now in the fight against climate change, and what is needed moving forward in order to create climate justice.
ACT NOW on U.S. CLIMATE FINANCE to DEVELOPING COUNTRIES The U.S. has still (as of 14 Nov 2021) not finalized our 2021/22 Finance Commitments supporting the Paris Climate Agreement obligations to developing countries. Tell your Senators and Congressional Representatives Today via UUSJ Action Alert – Advocacy action to fund the US Fair Share of the Green Climate Fund (click on link to send letter now) that will specifically address Climate, with Justice and Equity at the forefront – this funds mitigation, adaptation and technology transfer for developing countries – our best option until a Loss & Damage mechanism is in place.
More Information and Resources: Fair Share Contributions to the Green Climate Fund & Climate Finance are available on the next page of this post.
UU participation at COP 26
The COP26 summit brought parties (nations) together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is a non-governmental organization officially designated to send observers to meetings of the bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Unitarian Universalist Conference of Parties 26 (COP26) Advocacy Priorities:
COP 26 focused on Finance and locking in Greater Ambition for reduced global emissions. Therefore, the UUA Advocacy Priorities includes financing, but also the advancement of human rights for those who are most affected by the climate crisis and unjust systems:
- Green Climate Fund – Developed countries must fulfil their financial commitments
- Loss & Damage – Create dedicated funding & Operationalize the Santiago Network
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – Developed countries must update their NDCs with the ambition to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goal for staying below 1.5 ℃ of warming
Meet the Unitarian Universalist Association COP 26 Observers
The COP 26 Observers spoke out and furthered the UUA COP 26 priorities on the ground at COP 26, united with International Faith presence at COP 26 to advance these priorities, and kept these priorities at the forefront of discussion during internal meetings with the State Department, during press conferences, and other opportunities for elevating
Alicia Wallace – Director of Equality Bahamas– traveling from the Bahamas Hear from Alicia One Page Summary from Alicia
Doris Marlin – All Souls Church, DC & Board Member, UU Ministry for Earth – traveling from Washington DC Hear from Doris
Daphne Wysham – Chief Executive Officer of Methane Action – traveling from the State of Washington Hear from Daphne
Pierre Candelon – Loss & Damage Collaborative & Climate Action Network-International – traveling from Paris, France Hear from Pierre
Rev. Peggy Clarke – Senior Minister, Community Church of New York City – traveling from New York, NY Hear from Peggy
Joshua Cooper – Hawaii Institute for Human Rights – travelling from Hawaii
Hear from Joshua
Meet other UUs at COP 26
Joanna Holbrook – Native of Scotland, born Unitarian Universalist Hear from Joanna
Caitlin Waddick – Member, UU Society of Burlington, Vermont Hear from Caitlin
Read “Earth Negotiations Bulletin”
COP 26 OUTCOME Summary Reports
Recap of COP26: Key Outcomes and What Comes Next from the Environment & Energy Studies Institute (EESI) VIDEO LINK HERE
What were the Goals for the Conference of Parties at the opening of COP26?
The United Kingdom is the host country for this year’s Conference of Parties. According to their official briefing document– there are four core goals:
Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 Degrees within reach. Countries are being asked to come forward with ambitious 2030 emissions reductions targets (NDCs) that align with reaching net zero by the middle of the century. To deliver on these stretching targets, countries will need to accelerate the phase[1]out of coal, encourage investment in renewables, curtail deforestation and speed up the switch to electric vehicles.
Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats. The climate is already changing, and it will continue to change even as we reduce emissions, with devastating effects. At COP26 we need to work together to enable and encourage countries affected by climate change to protect and restore ecosystems, build defenses, put warning systems in place and make infrastructure and agriculture more resilient to avoid loss of homes, livelihoods and lives
Mobilize finance. To realize our first two goals, developed countries must deliver on their promise to raise at least $100bn in climate finance per year. International financial institutions must play their part and we need to work towards unleashing the trillions in private and public sector finance required to secure global net zero
Work together to deliver. We can only rise to the challenges of climate change by working together. At COP26 parties worked finalize the Paris Rulebook (the rules needed to implement the Paris Agreement). And, worked to turn ambitions into action by accelerating collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society to deliver on our climate goals faster.
For further information, read the following overview highlighting various national and non-governmental organizations positions via the Summary of Party Statements.
UN Day Forum: Taking Action on Climate Change
RECORDING AVAILABLE HERE
Hosted by DC Metro Area UU Congregations and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area
Video will be posted when Available – Held Sunday, October 24, 2021
Speakers included:
Keynote by Tim Lattimer, Senior Climate Advisor at the U.S. Department of State, UU Columbia MD
Nate Hultman, Founder and Director of the University of Maryland Center for Global Sustainability on detail to Envoy John Kerry’s office at U.S. Department of State, will moderate a panel of activists, including:
William Barber III, Founder, Rural Beacon Initiative
Salote Soqo, Senior Partnership Officer, Climate Justice and Crisis Response Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Taking Action for Global Impact – Strengthen Local Climate Commitments (SLCC)
Wednesday, Dec 1, 2021 – Join the Next SLCC National Collaboration Call
TOPIC: The importance of Local and State Climate Action given the less than optimal enactment of Bold and Robust Federal policy RSVP HERE to join the zoom Call.
8pm Eastern – 7pm Central – 6pm Mountain – 5pm Pacific
Taking Action for Global Impact – video below
SLCC National Collaboration Call Held October 6, 2021 – About SLCC
How UUs can take local action that accelerates the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Learn about the recent IPCC Report
- How to understand ‘Code Red’ IPCC Report for human driven global heating (https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/08/1097362) with Dr. William McPherson, University UU, Seattle presenting
- How you at the local level can help achieve the US Climate Pledges (NDCs) to reduce the US emissions levels by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030 – This means passing both Infrastructure Bills – Contact your Senators and Congressional Representatives Today via IPL Action Alert
- Advocacy action to fund the US Fair Share of the Green Climate Fund that will specifically address Climate, with Justice and Equity at the forefront.
CHAT & RESOURCES – Summary Document
You are encouraged to do your own research, and these additional information sources are offered:
*COP26: Document leak reveals nations lobbying to change key climate report The leak reveals Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia are among countries asking the UN to play down the need to move rapidly away from fossil fuels. Also commenting – China, India, Argentina, Norway, Brazil, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia and OPEC
*Follow COP 26 Reports at the main Twitter hashtag #COP26
*Summary from World Resources Institute: Will COP26 Be a Success? That Depends on 4 Critical Questions
*VOX – The fate of the planet will be negotiated in Glasgow, Scotland Here’s what you need to know about COP26, the high-stakes climate conference that starts on October 31, By Umair Irfan
*Climate One Audio –What’s on Tap at COP26 in Glasgow What’s on Tap at COP26 in Glasgow | Climate One
*Climate One Audio – Zen and Coping with Climate Change Zen and Coping with Climate | Climate One
*State of Climate Action 2021 – Reviews of All Sectors – and Just Transition: RELEASE: Progress lagging across all sectors to limit warming to 1.5 C, but rapid change is possible, finds new report | World Resources Institute (wri.org)
Go To More Details & Resources for COP 26