The Road to COP26: in-conversation with Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation

This in-conversation with Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and Peter Mandelson, Chairman at Global Counsel looked ahead at the road to Glasgow, and what will make COP26 a success to uphold the legacy of the Paris Agreement. It also explored how international climate diplomacy and the wider political environment has changed in the years since the Paris Agreement was agreed, and how this will impact what we can expect from governments next November.

Highlights from the discussion:

• The geopolitical threats to co-operation on climate action. Whilst the geopolitical landscape remains a challenge to joined-up action on environmental initiatives, there is little doubt that the Biden administration has increased pressure on other countries not to renege on their commitments.
   
• The role of China. Pushed by progressively ambitious commitments from the US and Europe, as well as an increasing realisation of what is at stake in terms of the effects and impact of climate change, we should have a more optimistic view of the upcoming commitments from China for curbing global emissions.
   
• The Paris agreement was not overly flexible. Flexibility was crucial to ensuring widespread commitment at COP21, rather than the leadership of a small group.
   
• Agreement on Article 6. At COP26 it is extremely likely that we will reach an agreement on Article 6. The issue of double counting of credits must be resolved otherwise the carbon market cannot function properly, and the leftover credits from the Kyoto Protocol are likely to be withdrawn.
   
• Ensuring a just transition. It is important that we ensure our environmental challenges are addressed in a fair way. We must not allow a society of individuals who understand our changing climate, push for change, yet are forced to shoulder the costs.