Here’s a copy of the excellent letter written by core team member John Killick, regarding the forthcoming COP26 conference, planned for November 2021 in Glasgow.
The Rt Hon. Alok Sharma MP.
COP26 President
Cabinet Office
70 Whitehall
SW117 March 2021
Dear Alok Sharma.
I have for 20 years perceived climate change as an ever-growing threat and am writing to you on behalf of the Abingdon Carbon Cutters who have similar concerns.
I am pleased that the UK is hosting the UN COP26 Climate Change conference in November, which Boris Johnson wants to be a ‘landmark’. I want it to be, like the 2012 Olympics, a success. I also welcome the election of President Biden leading to your recent meeting with the U.S. climate envoy John Kerry who sees the conference as “our last, best hope” to hold warming at 1.5 degrees.
But at present, with just eight months to go, the agenda and objectives are still unclear. The COP needs formal legal negotiations on, for example, the rules for international trading of carbon credits. For the conference to succeed, the agenda must include key issues such as
• A green recovery plan
• A global phase-out of coal
• Clear new climate goals in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement
• Climate finance for poorer countries.
I have so far heard little news of plans for COP26, suggesting a lack of urgency, political leadership or decision-making. So I would respectfully urge you and the Prime Minister, to move this process forward now, and to be seen to act. We need strong proposals for discussion, and an agenda for COP26 that enables the world’s leaders to agree a fast and fair transition to a zero carbon economy.
The UK has this one huge opportunity to play a leading role in the global fight against the climate crisis, but if that is to happen then action is needed now. A failed conference will be a disaster for the UK and us all.Yours respectfully and sincerely
H J Killick