Recommendations & Conclusions
14 items
1
Conclusion
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
COP26 will be a key moment for global climate action. We have been encouraged by the number of countries that have expressed the importance of the climate agenda in international fora; COP26 must now translate these words into actions. The UK Presidency will need to mobilise public engagement so that …
Government response. 1.1 COP26 will be the moment we secure our path to global net zero emissions by 2050 and define the next decade of tackling climate change. 1.2 This November at COP26 world leaders will meet with the aim to agree …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
2
Recommendation
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
We welcome the Government’s announcement of four headline ‘objectives’ for its COP26 Presidency. However, beyond this announcement there has been little detail on what the UK Government wants to achieve. Setting ambitious expectations will be crucial to securing the success of the conference and the Government will need to do …
Government response. 2.1 The Four Goals strategy is a combination of the three Paris goals (Mitigation, Adaptation, Finance) with the fourth goal being mandated for the Presidency (Collaboration: closing the ‘Paris rulebook’ in the negotiations). In Collaboration we have also added campaigns …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
3
Recommendation
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
We welcome the Government’s commitment to make climate change its number one international priority this year, but the responsibility of the UK does not end when COP26 concludes. The UK must continue its efforts as the torchbearer for the next COP, and beyond, to continue to ratchet up ambition on …
Government response. 3.1 The Government has set out in the Integrated Review its commitment to make tackling climate change and biodiversity loss the UK’s number one international priority in 2021 and beyond. Delivering on this commitment will require a whole-of-Government approach and …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
4
Conclusion
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
Environmental diplomacy can enhance the UK’s global leadership in line with the UK’s vision for ‘Global Britain’ set out in the Integrated Review. Covid-19 has delayed international progress on climate action but has provided more time for the UK to prepare the ground for a successful COP26. Every foreign engagement …
Government response. 4.1 As set out in the Integrated Review, tackling climate change and biodiversity loss is this Government’s number one international priority. COP26 is a critical step and the Foreign Secretary is working with the COP President-Designate to help deliver an …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
5
Recommendation
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
The Government should ensure its objectives for COP26 are brought into all of the FCDO’s foreign policy activity, including trade deals, decisions on overseas aid and bilateral and multilateral conversations with other UNFCCC parties. The Government’s international development strategy should be published before COP26 and prioritise climate and biodiversity, listing …
Government response. 5.1 The FCDO is working to deliver on the Government’s commitment to make tackling climate change and biodiversity loss the UK’s number one international priority in 2021 and beyond, as set out in the Integrated Review. 5.2 With our world-leading …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
6
Recommendation
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
All countries share a common interest in preserving the planet—the global impacts of the climate crisis mean that COP26 will provide an opportunity for the UK to exercise soft power and rebuild relationships with key countries where differences remain on other issues. The UK Government should use its COP26 Presidency …
Government response. 6.1 To help deliver a successful COP26, climate diplomacy is at the centre of the work of the whole FCDO diplomatic network. COP26 is a central part of how we approach economics, politics, development and soft power locally. The Integrated …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
7
Recommendation
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
The US Climate Summit and COP15 (the biodiversity COP) will be two key moments where the UK will need to take stock of progress and push for increased ambition. As the COP26 President, the UK should play a leading role in both the preparations for the US conference and during …
Government response. 7.1 The Prime Minister and President Biden agree on the crucial importance of combating climate change and have shared their objectives for the G7 and COP26. The COP President Designate Alok Sharma has frequent meetings with US Special Presidential Envoy …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
8
Recommendation
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
The UK has a strong record for building coalitions for climate action, such as the High Ambition Coalition at UN climate negotiations, and it could build upon this A climate for ambition: Diplomatic preparations for COP26 21 during its COP Presidency. Summits such as the global summit on climate and …
Government response. 8.1 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other countries most immediately vulnerable to climate impacts play a pivotal role in tackling climate change and are unwavering champions for ambitious climate action. We are committed to working in partnership with SIDS …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
9
Recommendation
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
In order to map the whole picture, it is important that the Government organise inclusive pre-meetings and do not simply hold pre-meetings on a regional basis. The Government should publish the agenda of these meetings to ensure inclusivity and to allow other countries to monitor the status of discussions.
Government response. 9.1 We will continue to engage with all Parties and stakeholders to power the process and agenda forward in the next 6 months, ensuring we arrive in Glasgow having done our homework and prepared to conclude a comprehensive set of …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
10
Recommendation
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
It is essential that domestic policy decisions support rather than undermine diplomatic efforts. We recommend that the UK leads by example and sets ambitious domestic climate policies. We welcome the introduction of the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio and recommend that the Government continue to explore and promote opportunities presented by …
Government response. 10.1 Through the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan and our Energy White Paper, we have set out concrete steps we will take to build back greener from the pandemic and reach net zero emissions by 2050. We laid legislation in …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
11
Conclusion
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
COP26 must aim to secure a form of realistic pricing of carbon output that prevents carbon offshoring and fully prices in the cost of the production of goods and transport. Building on the G7 and G20 to ensure the burden is carried by the commissioning country, and to incentivise change …
Government response. 11.1 As the world transitions to net zero, it is important we ensure that ambitious climate policy interventions do not lead to carbon leakage. Carbon pricing is not a mandated discussion for COP26, and so will not be an outcome, …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
12
Recommendation
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
For COP26 to be successful, the Government will need to ensure that negotiations are inclusive and take into account the viewpoints of the Least Developed Countries and the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. It will not be possible to guarantee that negotiations are inclusive unless the …
Government response. 12.1 We are working tirelessly to deliver a safe, successful COP26 in Glasgow this November and want to be able to hold this in-person. We are aware that many parties, in particular the Least Developed Countries and those vulnerable to …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
13
Recommendation
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
The UK Government must recognise that it may not be possible for 30,000 delegates to attend a conference in November. There is a distinct possibility that large parts of the summit will have to be moved online or downscaled because of risks from covid-19. Those participating need more certainty on …
Government response. 13.1 We are working closely with our public health officials, Scottish Government, Glasgow Council and the UNFCCC to ensure we can safely host an in-person COP. 13.2 Our contingency planning will continue to review the most appropriate options for engagement …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
14
Conclusion
Seventh Report: A climate for ambition:…
Given the commitment of the global environmental community to a green agenda, a downscaled COP26 could become the first expression of a new approach to international climate diplomacy, rejecting airmiles for airwaves and living the message of carbon neutrality. (Paragraph 36) A climate for ambition: Diplomatic preparations for COP26 23
Government response. 14.1 Our intent remains to hold the main conference in person, respecting the wishes of parties, many of whom feel strongly that the negotiations are best conducted in person to ensure an inclusive COP, especially those countries most directly impacted …
Foreign and Commonwealth Office