1. Outline
COP26 in Glasgow marked a step forward in global efforts to
address climate change, including a material increase in
ambitions to reduce emissions across the world, finalisation of
rules on reporting emissions and international carbon trading,
and the launch of a range of new initiatives and sector deals.
How far this can be considered a success will depend on follow-up
actions over the coming year and beyond.
This briefing takes stock of global progress after COP26 and
identifies key actions for the UK in response, both at home and
internationally.
2. Key messagesUK actions at
home
The Glasgow Climate Pact requested that all countries revisit and
strengthen the 2030 targets in their Nationally Determined
Contributions (NDCs) to align with the Paris Agreement
temperature goal in the coming year. The UK should focus its
efforts on strengthening delivery rather than increasing its
headline target, and seek ways to supplement current plans,
including by taking more action to tackle its consumption
emissions.
- The UK’s NDC already has one of the most ambitious 2030
targets for reducing emissions in the world. However, the UK does
not yet have all the policies in place to deliver this ambition.
The Net Zero Strategy provides a strong foundation for delivery
and needs to proceed at pace; a change in ambition would risk
slowing this process down.
- In response to the Glasgow call for a ‘phase-out of
inefficient fossil fuel subsidies’ the Treasury should initiate a
review of the role of tax policy in delivering Net Zero.
- The UK should considerably strengthen its policies on
adaptation.
- Technical options for strengthening the UK’s NDC include
making the 2030 emissions target legally binding, clarifying that
it will be met without offsets and with a limited role for CO2
removal, and including the sector targets set out in the Net Zero
Strategy.
The UK’s international role
The UK continues to hold the COP Presidency for the next year
until COP27 in Egypt. It has a vital role in driving progress in
this period and beyond across mitigation, adaptation and finance.
This in turn will support the UK’s climate goals at home.
- The UK should maintain a strong COP team with high-level
leadership through at least the duration of the Presidency,
recognising that decisions over the coming year are critical to
the chances of limiting global temperature increase close to
1.5°C, and that the COP team has built significant diplomatic
capital and expertise.
- The UK should support strengthened global climate action
through all available channels: prioritising climate action in
the G20 and G7; encouraging stronger NDCs across the world;
supporting strengthening of new sectoral initiatives such as on
deforestation, coal and methane; supporting strengthened action
from businesses and the financial sector; ensuring climate
finance commitments are transparently delivered and that a
constructive dialogue proceeds on loss and damage.
