Another round of UN climate talks is upon us. While the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) plays out in Glasgow, UK – from 31 October to 12 November – there will be plenty of opportunities to raise our voices in support of the deep cuts in emissions we need to stop irreversible climate breakdown. Based on what’s up for discussion at COP26, here are five suggestions for how we should focus our energies:
Despite the hype, COP26 won’t be making many big, formal decisions; it will mainly be thrashing out the unfinished details of the 2015 Paris deal. The thorny issue of carbon trading will be one to watch closely. Polluting governments are pushing for carbon markets that are loosely regulated, packed with loopholes and tricksy double-counting that will help them appear to meet their reduction targets without actually reducing their emissions. We need to rebut these fake solutions – on social media, by talking to the people around us or by joining protests and campaigns that push for meaningful action at COP26 and beyond.
