COP26 and Bringing Climate Justice Home
Hi everyone, I am Bruce, the new graduate Net Zero Researcher. This weekend, I travelled down to COP26 in Glasgow and took part in the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice; led by the COP26 Coalition. I want to take this opportunity to talk a little about COP, my thoughts on the event in general as well as the march which I attended on Saturday.
What is COP26?
COP26, as you are probably now aware, is the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of Parties, an annual event where the leaders of the nations of the world discuss progress on tackling climate change; and in theory, agree on further commitments to tackle it.
The most successful of these was COP21; in Paris, where leaders signed a legally binding commitment to keep climate change within 2 degrees above preindustrial levels; and preferably within 1.5 degrees. This agreement is called the Paris Accord.
My own experience in the Global Day of Action at COP26
The Global Day of Action was organized to bring together activists, front line groups and communities from across the world to call for more from the world leaders in Glasgow and highlight the need for climate action to account for social justice and democracy.
The day started with groups gathering in Kelvingrove Park, before marching through the center of Glasgow and ending at Glasgow Green where speakers talked on various key issues and led chants for climate justice and more action.
It was amazing to take part, we saw so many groups of people with great messages, from grassroots movements, to lobbying groups, to feminist and racial justice groups fighting for equality, Indian traditional farmers fighting against land enclosure and agrochemical monopolies, environmental charities such as the RSPB with their amazing 10-foot-long avocet (the iconic wader bird from their logo) and the group of thousands of cyclists who made a beautiful symphony from the chiming of their bells as they rode past.
The event felt very safe, and participants had to register a negative lateral flow result in order to attend; with groups also keeping a safe physical distance from one another as much as possible.
There was a little bit of an altercation between one group and the police; but this did not detract from the feeling of empowerment and unity that the march created. It is estimated that 100,000 people in total joined the event in Glasgow. It felt a little disjointed at times, a little chaotic, with so many different groups campaigning for so many causes and coming into the climate movement from different places and experiences; but I think it felt like a beginning. A beginning of a change from individualism to a global collective.
RSPB with their amazing 10-foot-long avocet - the iconic wader bird from their logo
Why do we need another COP?
Looking again at the bigger picture. For the Paris accord to be successful, it requires nations to carry out continuous national emissions cuts over the next few decades. According to the latest scientific report from the UN, if we do not reduce emissions globally by 7.6 per cent per year from 2020 to 2030; we will not be able to preventing warming of 1.5°C; or 2.7 per cent per year to stay below 2°C. The current emissions targets of nations do not take us within either of these targets.
What was achieved at COP26?
COP26 achieved a few things; for the first time; India committed to a Net Zero Target of 2070. Also, there was a well overdue commitment to halt and reverse global deforestation by 2030, which was signed by many of the countries with the highest deforestation rates in the world. There was also a general move toward further reducing the use of coal in energy production.
Why more Action is Needed
Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish climate activist famous for her solo school strike which led to the global Fridays for Future movement, has been highly critical of the rhetoric around Net Zero, she has highlighted the way in which action is pushed back and postponed to the last possible moment by these long-term targets. Further, there is evidence that the claimed UK emissions reductions of 41% since 1990 are a gross overestimate as they do not account for non-territorial emissions, from imports, exports, and the full life cycle of our activities. Local communities can help push for further action and help drive the kind of action that is needed.
Thinking about Climate and COP in Caithness
We clearly all must do more to help drive change and look at our own consumption. But I think more important is coming together to push for what is needed in communities such as here in Thurso. I am still very new to the town, but I can see the work of the Development Trust and other community groups is so important as we look toward an uncertain future. We need more people to think, not only about their individual carbon footprint, but also about their role in influencing wider, positive changes in the community.
Climate justice means ensuring that those most at risk in our communities are protected from the worst impacts of climate change. We in Thurso have a community with many people who are vulnerable and lacking the resources to adapt to a ‘Net Zero’ future. Those of us with the capacity to do more should consider how we might help reduce inequality and promote climate justice.
Some examples of climate action that leads to more social justice (i.e. climate justice) include:
Pushing for better public transport services and making them more affordable and accessible for all.
Electric charging points and car sharing co-operatives.
Bicycle repair and sharing schemes which give people mobility without the running costs of a larger vehicle. Also, improving routes in Thurso to make them accessible for all abilities and more active travel friendly (i.e. walking, cycling, wheelchair).
Thurso Grows – providing affordable, sustainably produced food and reducing food waste through food sharing.
Socially Growing Shop – this will be zero waste and offer sustainable produce at a reasonable cost.
Insulation and district heating solutions – these both allow for lower heating costs whilst also reducing emissions.
Pay it forward and food sharing apps – Businesses can reduce their food waste by offering food surplus at a reduced cost or for free via food sharing apps or in store. Pay it forward also allows those who can pay more, to contribute to providing a meal for another person.
Community energy – this can allow communities to benefit financially from renewable energy production as opposed to major commercial energy developments which tend to have limited local social benefit.
Improved recycling services that make recycling simpler and more effective for those who have limited time to spare outside of trying to make ends meet. Also schemes such as the bottle deposit scheme which pay people back for recycling.
Community art projects that allow people, in particular young people, to express themselves and allow for creativity.
Donating to and using charity shops for clothing; reducing fast fashion and sweatshop work in other countries and making clothing more affordable for everyone.
Repairing broken items of clothing, electronics, tools. Setting up a local repair shop where people can learn these skills to consume less and save more.
If you want to add any of your own ideas for promoting climate justice in Thurso feel free to tweet us @thursoCDT and be sure to respond to our community consultation here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ThursoCommunity
