A broken $100bn promise to developing nations won't be met until 2022 or 2023, China's climate envoy says
From Amy Cassidy in Glasgow and Vasco Cotovio in London
Western nations won't deliver on a $100 billion climate financing promise to developing nations until 2022 or 2023, China’s special envoy on climate change Xie Zhenhua said Tuesday.
I recently talked to the top COP26 president Alok Sharma and with John Kerry and ministers for many other countries. And they told me that we need to wait until 2022 or even 2023 to achieve the target 100 billion US dollars, the target set for before 2020,” he told reporters at the COP26 summit. “However, they failed to deliver on their commitment before 2020 which has a negative impact on the mutual trust between developed and developing countries.”
Twelve years ago, at a United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen, rich countries made a significant pledge: to provide $100 billion a year in finance to less wealthy nations by 2020, in order to help them cope with climate change.
That target was missed last year and a large gap remains. Experts say $100 billion a year isn't even enough to begin with. It's a key sticking point at the talks in Glasgow.
Prior to COP26, only a small number of developed nations were paying their fair share on climate financing for poorer countries, according to independent think tank ODI.
Xie, who served as China's chief negotiator during key climate meetings in Copenhagen and Paris, said discussions with COP26 President Sharma were “highly constructive,” but cautioned that “huge gaps” still remained. “There should be a balance between mitigation and adaptation,” Xie said.
9:10 a.m. ET, November 2, 2021
US, UK and EU will help fund South Africa's coal phaseout, offering a model for the developing world
From CNN's David McKenzie and Ghazi Balkiz in Johannesburg
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a meeting at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 2, as US President Joe Biden listens. (Evan Vucci/AP)
The US, UK, France, Germany and European Union will help fund South Africa's transition away from coal, in a multilateral effort that could serve as a model for other developing nations to ditch the fossil fuel.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the initial $8.5 billion partnership would help South Africa to decarbonize its coal intensive energy system. The details of the specific funding were not announced, and diplomats expect the fine print to be worked out in the months ahead.
US President Joe Biden stressed thattrillions in public and private funding will be needed to help the developing world move away from fossil fuels.
By assisting and responding to the needs of developing countries, rather than dictating projects from afar we can deliver the greatest impact for those who need it the most," he said.
Climate scientists and some diplomats say the South Africa agreement could pave the way for similar deals with other heavily-polluting developing countries -- a critical step in containing global warming and avoiding a full-blown climate catastrophe.
The promise to finance a transition from coal will be noticed by politicians in developing nations because South Africa is among the most coal-dependent nations in the world.
One of the heaviest polluters on the planet:
Nearly 90% of South Africa's power generation is fueled by coal, making the country one of the heaviest polluters per-capita on the planet. South Africa's Mpumalanga province is home to most of the country's coal industry and coal-fired power stations, with their colossal chimneys, flanking both sides of the highway. Recently, the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air judged Eskom -- which has a monopoly on power in South Africa -- to be the world's most-polluting power company. It spews more deadly sulfur dioxide than the US, Europe and even China's power sectors.
Read more about South Africa's phaseout of coal here:
"The climate issue is as existential to China as it is to us," John Kerry tells CNN
From CNN’s Emmet Lyons and Ken Olshansky
John Kerry, the United States' special presidential envoy for climate, speaks with CNN's Christiane Amanpour at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 2. (Darren Bull/CNN)
Climate Envoy John Kerry has told CNN that the United States is working closely with China, the world’s largest CO2 emitter, on its commitment to transition away from fossil fuels.
Speaking from the COP26 summit in Glasgow, Kerry told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that the US is working with China “without challenging them in any personal way.”
“China has said we are going to strictly limit coal,” Kerry said. “What we are trying to do is work with China in a cooperative way to show how they could speed up the transition.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping is not attending the summit in Glasgow and Amanpour pressed Kerry on how serious the Chinese commitment is when it comes to reducing the country’s reliance on coal.
“They have issued instructions to their provinces, to the leaders in various parts of the country, that they have to adhere to a certain standard. That standard, we don’t think is big enough, is strong enough,” Kerry told CNN. “We don’t know yet where we are with that … they will need to transition off of coal faster.”
Despite the lack of a clear commitment from Beijing, former Secretary of State Kerry said that he believes the Chinese ultimately will commit to a faster transition. “The climate issue is as existential to China as it is to us. It’s as critical to Chinese citizens as it is to us. They want to be rid of pollution. They want cleaner air. They want a healthier life.”
Kerry told Amanpour that Xi and President Joe Biden have agreed to meet on the issue at an undetermined future date.
On Saturday, Biden urged major G20 energy producing countries with spare capacity to boost their production of oil and gas to meet global demand.
When Amanpour pointed out the disconnect between that and the commitments that the US was trying to make at the COP26 summit, Kerry pushed back. “We are where we are in our economies, in the global marketplace. You can’t just shut it off … you need to stabilize the marketplace, bring the prices down, and empower us to be able to make this transition in an orderly and just way,” he said.
“We don’t want workers to suddenly be thrown out and all of a sudden, your economies are cratering,” he added.
Some background: Kerry helped to negotiate the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement while serving in the Obama administration -- an agreement that the US subsequently withdrew from during the presidency of Donald Trump.
Amanpour posed the question as to whether the US could be taken seriously on its pledges by global partners. Kerry retorted that the changing global economy meant that climate commitments made by the US were not reversible by any one leader.
“90% of the electricity that has come online in the United States in the last few years, in the globe in fact, on the planet, has come from renewables,” he said.
“That’s not reversible from any one politician. It is not reversible,” he added.
8:44 a.m. ET, November 2, 2021
Climate change is driving famine in Madagascar. Failure to act isn't an option, its president warns
From CNN’s Duarte Mendonça in Lisbon and Eliza Mackintosh in London
Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina speaks at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 2. (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)
Madagascar is in the grips of drought and famine, and failing to act to stop climate change will have disastrous consequences for the country, Andry Rajoelina, the president of the African island, has warned.
Failure is not an option, we must succeed for us, for our nation and for our planet. The Earth, which has given us everything, is asking us today that we save our planet,” Rajoelina told an audience at COP26. “These consequences are disastrous, particularly for the south of Madagascar, which is facing famine caused by climate change,” he added.
People in the country's south are living through the worst drought in 40 years, according to the UN World Food Programme, and more than 1.3 million people in Madagascar are experiencing food distress.
My compatriots are bearing the brunt of a climate crisis not of their own making,” Rajoelina said, underlining the undue burden that developing nations face as a result of emissions in the developed world.
He also highlighted that deforestation was among the country’s biggest concerns.
“Every year, 3.9 million hectares of forests disappear in Africa. The main drivers of this deforestation is the use and processing of wood into charcoal,” Rajoelina said, adding that 90% of African households still use charcoal to cook their food.
"To obtain 10 kilos of charcoal, you need 100 kilos of wood, so you can imagine, every year, one family destroys one hectare of forests to meet their own needs. So how can we stop this disaster?” the president said.
Despite the grim reality, Rajoelina went on to speak about the country’s current plan of financing alternative solutions, which would replace charcoal in favor of stoves that run on bio ethanol and biogas in order to preserve the forests.
He also urged global leaders to act. “I call on leaders from around the world to accelerate the mobilization of $100 billion for the Paris agreement so that we can fund energy transition policy in Africa,” Rajoelina added.
8:28 a.m. ET, November 2, 2021
The COP26 venue is also hosting public activities around climate change education and action
Away from the world leaders, on the public side of the COP26 summit venue, there's lots of fun activities and displays going on, aimed at educating people about climate issues.
CNN's Ivana Kottasová takes a look.
9:07 a.m. ET, November 2, 2021
This passing moment from COP26 is drawing some attention
Amid all the big news out of Glasgow, including pledges to cut back on methane emissions and end deforestation by the end of the decade, a passing moment is drawing some attention — US President Biden appearing to nod off during the opening session of COP26.
Biden, who has been traveling overseas for days, was seen closing his eyes for an extended period of time and rubbing his eyes during COP26's opening session. He went on to deliver a major speech for about 10 minutes shortly after the moment.
The President is expected to hold a news conference at 3:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday before returning to the United States with an expected arrival on Wednesday.
8:34 a.m. ET, November 2, 2021
"There is no dignity to a slow and painful death," says Pacific island leader on climate change
From CNN's Aditi Sangal
Palau's President Surangel Whipps, Jr. speaks at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 2. (Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images)
The President of the western Pacific island of Palau urged world leaders to act aggressively against climate change before island nations completely disappear.
Frankly speaking, there is no dignity to a slow and painful death. You might as well bomb our islands instead of making us suffer only to witness our slow and fateful demise," President Surangel Whipps Jr. said. "We are drowning and our only hope is the life ring you are holding. You must act now."
Asking for equitable access to climate financing and viable technological transfer, he added: "We, the islands that are devastated most, demand that your commitments of $100 billion annually be increased to meet the $4 trillion the World Bank reports is needed."
8:00 a.m. ET, November 2, 2021
Putin, Bolsonaro and other world leaders voice support for declaration to end deforestation
From CNN's Eliza Mackintosh in London
Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses COP26 participants via video at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow on November 2. (Evgeniy Paulin/Sputnik/AP)
In pre-recorded video statements, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a slew of other world leaders voiced their support for a declaration to end and reverse deforestation and land degradation by 2030 -- the first big win of the the COP26 climate talks.
More than 100 leaders, whose countries collectively account for more than 85% of the world's forests, have agreed to the declaration, which could potentially put a huge dent in global emissions.
Among the nations taking part are Canada, Russia, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, all of which have significant tracts of forest. Brazil in particular has come under criticism for allowing an increase in the deforestation of the Amazon in recent years. The United States and China will also be party to the agreement.
In hailing the agreement on forests and land use, many of the leaders noted the key role that forests play in their nations -- in their society, culture and climate future.
"Our country accounts for around 20% of the world's forestland," Putin said, adding that Russia had approved a long-term government climate strategy on Monday targeting carbon neutrality by 2060. "We take the strongest and most vigorous measures to conserve it."
Bolsonaro, who has been criticized for rainforest reduction on his watch, urged every country to "help defend all forests, committing adequate resources, for the benefit of all."
Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that forests mattered to him on a personal level. "In fact, I make many of my decisions and thinking while walking in the forest. So not only do we need good policies for forest, we also need forests for good policy decisions."
7:20 a.m. ET, November 2, 2021
Climate change is making food production more challenging. Could this be a solution?
From CNN's Ivana Kottasová
While the world leaders remain confined to the plenary rooms, the spirit of the COP26 climate summit is obvious all across the host city of Glasgow. There are signs boasting about its net zero target and campaigns encouraging people to walk, cycle or take a train.
There are also numerous events and exhibits raising awareness of climate change and the difficulties it brings being held around Scotland's biggest city.
Here’s a vertical farm demonstration, highlighting the challenges of growing food in our changing climate.
