Cop26: Mary Robinson accuses major emitters of blocking progress

Former president Mary Robinson has pointed the finger at countries that can help secure a more ambitious outcome at Cop26 but are not pushing for it sufficiently – and accused some of the world’s major carbon emitters of blocking progress.

“Some of the leaders at Cop26 who could do most are not in crisis mode,” the chair of the Elders, a group of independent figures founded by Nelson Mandela, said in media interviews.

In contrast, she said poorer countries, notably those in the Climate Vulnerable Forum, were “in crisis mindset” and seeking a meaningful outcome.

She warned global leaders: “This is on your watch . . . It’s so important. We are literally talking about having a safe future. You can’t negotiate with science. You can’t talk about a glass being half-full. We have to get it down. We have to be on track to 1.5 degrees, and it is doable.”

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Speaking to The Irish Times, she identified Saudi Arabia, Russia, Brazil, China and Australia as having not made sufficient commitments, and often being the main blockers to progress – though she accepted China often under-promised but over-performed, which was the opposite to many countries in the western world including Ireland.

‘Dirty games’

Mrs Robinson accused Saudi Arabia of “playing dirty games” in taking language out of a lot of texts, which included “the language of youth, human rights, gender, equality, sustainability”, because not enough countries were in the negotiating room.

“Australia, a wealthy country, is still in fossil fuels mode, not in crisis mode,” she said.

She added countries that were members of the High Ambition Coalition, which includes the EU and now the US, should highlight shortcomings in the draft text, “which is not actually aligning us with 1.5 [degrees].”

In other developments, Ireland has backed international declarations on transport which will facilitate accelerated decarbonisation of road transport, shipping and aviation over the next 20 years.

The endorsements at Cop26 – to make commitments on zero-emission cars, reducing fossil fuels in aviation and “green shipping lanes” – are all consistent with Ireland’s ambitions across these modes of transport as set out in the Government’s new climate action plan, Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan said.

Zero emissions

A UK-sponsored declaration commits to accelerating the transition to 100 per cent zero-emission cars and vans, and calls on automotive manufacturers, businesses, financial investors and governments to work towards all sales of new cars and vans being zero-emissions by 2040, or by 2035, in leading markets.

“Ireland has even greater ambitions, targeting a switch over of 1 million electric vehicles by 2030 to bring us on a trajectory to achieving electrification of all new car sales well ahead of 2035,” he confirmed.

“The switch is happening, but the pace needs to step up if we are to meet our decarbonisation targets for transport. For that reason, we need all those involved, both on the supply and demand side, to commit fully.”

The aviation declaration calls for an ambitious long-term goal for the reduction of aviation CO2 in line with Paris agreement goals and underlines the need to promote sustainable aviation fuels. This “demonstrates the collective commitment of contracting states to significantly reduce aviation emissions over the coming decades”, he said.

In backing the so-called “Clydebank” declaration, which aims to establish green shipping corridors, it will allow for innovative ports and shipping companies committed to environmental measures in their industry to promote green shipping channels and make meaningful changes, Mr Ryan said.

“Maritime transport is the most important means of connecting Ireland to international markets, accounting for more than 90 per cent of Ireland’s international trade, in volume terms. At the same time, it is recognised that we are entering a period where there needs to be rapid change in maritime transport to contribute to the achievement of emission reduction targets,” he said.

The Minister announced €60 million is to be provided for community climate action projects across Ireland.

The funding which will be issued in two tranches is to “support and empower communities to shape and build low-carbon, sustainable communities in a coherent way”. Possible projects might include community EV charging points, small renewable energy projects, community EVs, cycle parking, repair hubs and community biodiversity gardens, he said.

The Minister also launched a new national dialogue on climate action (NDCA). It will facilitate public engagement, participation, community action, networking and capacity-building activities relating to climate action.

“The NDCA will facilitate public participation, as we transition to a carbon-neutral country. This approach will give everyone the opportunity to engage constructively – to make sure no one is left behind and to deliver on climate action in a fair, just and equitable manner,” he said.