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Ever since COP26 started last October 2021, environmental articles, news, and social media posts have been filled with COPs, COPs, and more COPs. Was it really that important that everyone’s eyes were locked on COP26? The answer is, of course, yes, it was an important summit that was worth everyone’s attention. The Conference of Parties (COP) is an annual conference under the United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change. The year 2021's COP is the 26th conference since 1955.
Most countries around the world that participate in this conference discussed and negotiated further commitments and action on the climate movement. Last year's conference has had a higher urgency since the release of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report – calling a code red for humanity. There were at least 4 goals that needed to be addressed at COP 26 [1]:
1. Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach
Sadly, the world is currently not on track to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. If we keep doing things as we are, global temperature will continue to rise and yield more catastrophic natural disasters. To avoid that, countries around the world are expected to set more ambitious goals on the 2030 emission reduction goals – the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) that was made in 2015.
2. Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
Even when we’re trying to reduce our emissions, the climate is already changing. There are already countries and communities that are heavily affected by climate change. Countries around the world need to work together to address this and build resilience, such as flood defenses, early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and of course, protecting and restoring habitats.
3. Mobilize finance
Developed countries must deliver their promise to raise $100 billion annually to support developing countries. Managing the increasing impacts and the cause of climate change will need a lot of effort and funding.
4. Work together to deliver
Finally, the collaboration of every country around the world is needed to ensure the delivery of the other 3 goals. A detailed rule of the Paris Agreement called “Paris Rulebook” will also be finalized in COP 26.
Indonesia, our beloved home country, is also involved in COP26. In fact, Joko Widodo a.k.a. Jokowi delivered a speech in COP 26 last Monday (01/11) [2]. In that speech, Jokowi explained how Indonesia is also making the effort to tackle climate change and making great progress in many sectors. Those sectors include the decrease of deforestation rate and the development of renewable energies utilization. The progress sounds good, isn’t it? However, there is criticism around Jokowi’s speech by the civil society, such as how the speech didn’t reflect the ambition to tackle the climate crisis and that the available data is contrary to Jokowi's speech [3].
How about you? What is your opinion about COP26 and Jokowi’s speech? Give us your comment so we can discuss it together!
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