3/13/22, 5:03 PM COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow climate conference?

- BBC News

Let us know you agree to cookies

We use cookies to give you the best online experience. Please let us know if you agree to all of these
cookies.

Yes, I agree
No, take me to settings

Home News More

Menu

Science & Environment

COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow

climate conference?
15 November 2021

COP26

A new global agreement - the Glasgow Climate Pact - was reached at the
COP26 summit.

It aims to reduce the worst impacts of climate change - but some leaders and
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56901261 1/11
3/13/22, 5:03 PM COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow climate conference? - BBC News

campaigners say it does not go far enough.

What was in the COP26 agreement?

The agreement - although not legally binding - will set the global agenda on
climate change for the next decade:

Emissions

It was agreed countries will meet next year to pledge further cuts to emissions
of carbon dioxide (CO2) - a greenhouse gas which causes climate change.

This is to try to keep temperature rises within 1.5C - which scientists say is
required to prevent a "climate catastrophe". Current pledges, if met, will only
limit global warming to about 2.4C.

Coal

For the first time at a COP conference, there was an explicit plan to reduce use
of coal - which is responsible for 40% of annual CO2 emissions.

However, countries only agreed a weaker commitment to "phase down" rather

than "phase out" coal after a late intervention by China and India.

PM: Climate deal sounds death knell for coal power

Evasive words and coal compromise, but deal shows progress

Developing countries

The agreement pledged to significantly increase money to help poor countries

cope with the effects of climate change and make the switch to clean energy.

There's also the prospect of a trillion dollar a year fund from 2025 - after a
previous pledge for richer countries to provide $100bn (£72bn) a year by 2020
was missed.

While some observers say the COP26 agreement represented the "start of a
breakthrough", some African and Latin American countries felt not enough
progress was made.

Why hasn't climate pledge to poor countries been met?

Fossil fuel subsidies

World leaders agreed to phase-out subsidies that artificially lower the price of
coal, oil, or natural gas.

However, no firm dates have been set.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56901261 2/11
3/13/22, 5:03 PM COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow climate conference? - BBC News

How much is still spent supporting oil, coal and gas?

What else was agreed in Glasgow?

A flurry of other announcements were made:

US-China agreement
The world's biggest CO2 emitters, the US and China, pledged to cooperate
more over the next decade in areas including methane emissions and the
switch to clean energy.

China has previously been reluctant to tackle domestic coal emissions - so this
was seen as recognising the need for urgent action.

Cautious welcome for US-China climate agreement

Why China's climate policy matters to us all

Trees
Leaders from more than 100 countries - with about 85% of the world's forests
- promised to stop deforestation by 2030.

This is seen as vital, as tress absorb vast amounts of CO2.

Similar initiatives haven't stopped deforestation, but this one's better funded.
However, it's unclear how the pledge will be policed.

M h
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56901261 3/11
3/13/22, 5:03 PM COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow climate conference? - BBC News

Methane
A scheme to cut 30% of methane emissions by 2030 was agreed by more than
100 countries.

Methane is currently responsible for a third of human-generated warming.

The big emitters China, Russia and India haven't joined - but it's hoped they
will later.

Money
Financial organisations controlling $130tn agreed to back "clean" technology,
such as renewable energy, and direct finance away from fossil fuel-burning
industries.

The initiative is an attempt to involve private companies in meeting net zero

targets.

However, some environmental organisations have said without a greater

commitment to ending support for fossil-fuels, this could be little more than a
PR exercise.

How will countries be made to meet their pledges?

Most commitments made at COP will have to be self-policed.

Only a few countries are making their pledges legally binding.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56901261 4/11
3/13/22, 5:03 PM COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow climate conference? - BBC News

What was COP26 and why was it necessary?

COP26 was the moment countries revisited climate pledges made made under
the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Six years ago, countries were asked to make changes to keep global warming
"well below" 2C - and to try to aim for 1.5C.

COP stands for "Conference of the Parties", and the one in Glasgow was the
26th annual summit. Ahead of it, 200 countries were asked for their plans to
cut emissions by 2030.

The goal is to keep cutting emissions until they reach net zero by mid-century.

Next year's COP27 summit is in Egypt.

Simple guide to climate change

What will climate change look like for you?

How extreme weather is linked to climate change

Top image from Getty Images. Climate stripes visualisation courtesy of Prof Ed
Hawkins and University of Reading.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56901261 5/11
3/13/22, 5:03 PM COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow climate conference? - BBC News

BBC

Do you have any questions about the forthcoming COP26 global climate
conference in Glasgow?

In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and
location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will
never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and
privacy policy.

Use this form to ask your question:

Send us your questions about the COP26 climate conference.

0/500

Your contact info

Name Email address Contact number

Location

Age

I accept the Terms of Service

Submit

In some cases a selection of your comments and questions will be published, displaying your name and
location as you provide it unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published.

At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.

The BBC retains the right to select from these contributions based on editorial requirements and subject
to online terms and conditions and BBC editorial guidelines. For more information about how the BBC
handles your personal data, see here.

Made with Hearken | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the
mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or send them via
email to YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and
location with any question you send in.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56901261 6/11
3/13/22, 5:03 PM COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow climate conference? - BBC News

Related Topics

COP26 Paris climate agreement Climate change

Top Stories

LIVE Russia widens assault to hit military base near Poland

'Sky turned red' as missiles hit Lviv military base

2 hours ago

UK offers £350 a month to Ukrainian refugee hosts

1 hour ago

Features

Uni to uniform - 3-day training for teens 'The kindness of Ukrainians saved my
to fight life'

The secret history of witches Are pigs the future of organ transplants?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56901261 7/11
3/13/22, 5:03 PM COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow climate conference? - BBC News

How sanctions have changed everyday 'Without TikTok, I'd still be a wedding
life in Russia singer'

Could Welsh leeks become the new Martin Compston: From school corridor
Cornish pasty? to stardom

Intimate image abuse: His confession

protected him

Elsewhere on the BBC

I h h i h h i ft ?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56901261 Th M fA h I l d 8/11
3/13/22, 5:03 PM COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow climate conference? - BBC News
Is she the witch he is after? The Mystery of Anthrax Island
A failing witchfinder and his suspect find An astonishing story of deadly bacteria,
themselves on a hellish road trip... biological warfare, and a shady protest group...

Sit back, relax and enjoy a film!

There's something for everyone on BBC iPlayer

Most Read

1 US journalist Brent Renaud killed in Ukraine

2 Russia faces brain drain as thousands flee abroad

3 Why I want to share my home with a Ukrainian refugee

4 How sanctions have changed everyday life in Russia

5 Russian Orthodox church ransacked in burglary

6 Boy arrested after fatal sandwich shop stabbing

7 Iran launches missiles at northern Iraqi city

8 Gove: No-one raised Lebedev security concern with me

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56901261 9/11
3/13/22, 5:03 PM COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow climate conference? - BBC News

9 'Sky turned red' as missiles hit Lviv military base

10 UK offers £350 a month to Ukrainian refugee hosts

BBC News Services

On your mobile

On smart speakers

Get news alerts

Contact BBC News

Best of BBC iPlayer

How to see your body from the inside out

YOUR BODY UNCOVERED

Sex, secrets and social media...

MOOD

Can Katie adjust without Harvey?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56901261 10/11
3/13/22, 5:03 PM COP26: What was agreed at the Glasgow climate conference? - BBC News

WHAT HARVEY DID NEXT

A hysterical new comedy to binge watch!

THE WITCHFINDER

Home Weather CBBC Bitesize Local

News iPlayer CBeebies Arts Three

Sport Sounds Food Taster

Terms of Use About the BBC Privacy Policy Cookies Accessibility Help Parental Guidance

Contact the BBC Get Personalised Newsletters Why you can trust the BBC

© 2022 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external
linking.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56901261 11/11