THE 26th United Nations (UN) Conference of Parties (CoP) gets underway from today. For some, this gathering of world leaders, scientists, activists, and business people is nothing more than a glorified ‘talk shop.’ For others, this event could very well be the last chance to ensure that global action is taken to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change and sustain life on planet earth. Despite your position on the spectrum of optimism for life-sustaining commitments and action, it is clear that CoP26 will be the most anticipated climate summit in years.

This year, the conference’s focus will be on getting countries to cut their greenhouse gas emissions so that the global temperature could increase by only about 1.5 degrees Celsius of the pre-industrial level. It builds on the 2015 Paris Agreement, whereby 197 nations agreed to limit global warming to “well below” two degrees Celsius, below the pre-industrial level.

To tangibly limit this global warming, the nations crafted commitments known as their “nationally determined contributions (NDCs).” These contributions are the actions that governments said their countries would take to mitigate global warming; these include reducing emissions by using fewer fossil fuels (like petroleum, for example) and using more renewable energy (such as solar power). In some cases, countries are attempting to offset their emissions by funding conservation efforts in other countries.

To break this down a bit simpler, trees breathe in the carbon dioxide (a gas) that humans breathe out; this carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere when trees are cut down or when fuels are burnt. When this gas (called a greenhouse gas) is released (or emitted) into the atmosphere, it contributes to making the earth hotter (through a process called global warming). And, scientists say that this global warming will make the planet increasingly unlivable, resulting in worse natural disasters (including floods, hurricanes, and heatwaves) and changing food-production possibilities.

But here’s where things get a little complicated. It should seem like a no-brainer that countries would engage in the necessary steps to ensure that planet earth does not heat up to a point where living becomes difficult. Guess what? It, apparently, is not.

Leaked documents seen by the BBC show that some countries are advocating for a slowdown in the departure from the use of fossil fuels. Previously, it was agreed that developed countries (that have benefitted from decades of fossil fuel use resulting in massive emissions) would provide $100 billion in climate finance for developing countries, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as Guyana and countries in the Caribbean. This financial support was meant to help the developing countries achieve emission-reduction targets. But, that sum was not accumulated annually and some of the developed countries have argued against providing this financial support.

Emphasising the need for key commitments, including financial support, was our President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

“Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and low-lying coastal states remain the most vulnerable group of countries due to their smallness, limited resources, exposure to external economic shocks, ecological fragility and their susceptibility to natural hazards,” the President underscored at a recent Alliance of Small Island States (AoSIS) Leaders’ Summit.

As such, he urged the larger countries and international bodies to facilitate access to concessional financing and increase financing for disaster risk reduction, and reducing countries’ exposure to hazards and vulnerabilities to disasters.

Months before the beginning of Guyana’s new relationship with the oil and gas sector, Guyana stated that “with adequate and timely financial support,” the country would be able to develop a 100 per cent renewable power supply by 2025. To be transparent in this column, I will relate that this figure has been revised to a shift to 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

The country’s Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has argued that Guyana has spent years being a net carbon sink for the world (that is, it was trapping more gas emissions that it was emitting because of its large intact forests) and the country now can advance its economy and pursue a low-carbon developmental trajectory.

Around the world, eyes are on the much larger economies (and emitters) to commit towards reducing their emissions and helping to mitigate climate change. While Guyana has its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) to argue that oil can be produced to fuel low-carbon development, I do not know what plans those other countries will proffer.

However, because I believe in science, I am sure that CoP26, the decisions made there and the commitments given will either be a watershed moment for climate mitigation or a disappointment. Either Way, the next two weeks will be interesting.

If you would like to connect with me to discuss COVID-19, this column, or any of my previous works, feel free to email me at vish14ragobeer@gmail.com