Indigenous peoples are the “Guardians of the Forests”. COP26 saw a significant $1.7bn pledge being made towards the recognition of land tenure by Indigenous peoples. Nature-based solutions might threaten rights of Indigenous peoples and their adoption must be urgently regulated.
Climate finance remains an unresolved issue following COP26, little ground was made during negotiations on Loss & Damage and the $100 billion adaptation finance promised by developed countries over a decade ago; Private financiers emerged as a willing funding source for sustainability programmes, with both philanthropists and major companies expressing an interest in addressing gaps in climate finance; The Glasgow Climate Pact recommended a scaling back of fossil fuel subsidies, but many nations have already found loopholes to keep fossil fuels within their energy portfolios.
Temperate forests represent a significant resource and perform important ecosystems services,but are threatened due to agricultural expansion, climate change and deforestation The FSC certification imposes several rigorous criteria covering conservation and sustainability, as well as human rights, but it does not always ensure that forests are not negatively impacted The EUTR prohibits illegally-harvested timber from being commercialised in EU markets but gaps in implementation by Member States diminish its effectiveness
Universal Basic Income (UBI) has shifted from a radical agenda to a relevant policy proposal, especially since the pandemic · UBI could have positive environmental impacts, such as reducing status-based consumption and facilitating more sustainable food practices · UBI must be introduced in a way that complements other policy shifts towards environmental protection and social justice
COP26 failed to ensure substantial participation and representation of young people in decision-making spacesThe Glasgow Climate Pact does include many references to meaningful youth engagement in international climate negotiations, reflecting the Youth4Climate Manifesto and the COY16 Statement.The Youth4Climate event will occur every year before COP, called “Forever Youth4Climate”.
The revenues generated by the EU ETS will be used to help industries and states across the EU reach carbon-neutrality The Innovation Fund is providing financial support for the development of highly innovative technologies that can drive down emissions The Modernisation Fund will support low-income EU Member States in their energy transition
Climate targets are the foundation of climate policy Both 1.5°C and 2°C have been targetted for international climate policy While 2°C was once the dominant goal, the emergent 1.5°C target must be adopted as the climate goal.
The nitrogen cycle is the process by which nitrogen is transformed into nitrates, used by plants and animals in the creation of amino acids and eventually returned to the air. Through the burning of fossil fuels and the use of nitrogen-based fertilisers, humans have greatly increased the amount of nitrogen in the atmosphere. This excess of nitrogen is highly damaging to the environment, causing ocean dead zones and air pollution, among other things.
Special interest groups pushed against actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions before the COP26 global climate summit. In official environmental assessment reports, wealthy countries wanted to downplay the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The fossil fuel lobby represented the most influential group at the COP 26 negotiations
The Cartagena Protocol sets out a precautionary approach to the trade of GMOs with the goal of protecting global biodiversity The Protocol gives importing countries the right to reject GMO goods on environmental or health concerns It was the first international agreement to formalise the cross-border movement of GMOs