On Monday, November 1, leaders from around the world are gathering in Glasgow for 26th UN climate change conference (COP26) to be held until next week on November 12, to make clear their commitment to tackle climate change and raise ambition on all fronts and finalize the implementation guidelines for the Paris Agreement. Studies have warned that urgent action is needed to actualize the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global average temperature increases to 1.5 degree Celsius. Patricia Espinosa, the Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change said that the devastating loss of lives and livelihoods this year due to extreme weather events justifies the importance of convening COP26 despite the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic still being felt. “We are on track for a global temperature rise of 2.7 degree Celsius, while we should be heading for the 1.5C goal. Clearly, we are in a climate emergency. Clearly, we need to address it. Clearly, we need to support the most vulnerable to cope. To do so successfully, greater ambition is now critical,” she underlined. She noted that greater ambition in reducing emissions, adaptation to climate change effects, addressing loss and damage from extreme climatic events and increasing the provision of support to developing countries. A central issue is the provision of support to developing countries, especially in relation to the initial goal of mobilizing $100 billion annually by 2020 and the target is yet to be met. Experts say financial support is crucial for all elements of the climate change regime, including mitigation, but also in terms of adaptation, capacity-building, technology transfer and several other elements. Finalising the Paris Agreement’s implementation guidelines, they say, will enable the full implementation of all provisions, which will unleash more ambitious climate actions by all its Parties. Specifically, the outstanding guidelines relate to the details around the global goal on adaptation, how to report climate action and support transparently, and the use of market-based mechanisms and non-market approaches. “We have no choice but to make COP26 a success. For that, we need unity of purpose. We need to leave Glasgow with a balanced package of decisions that reflects the positions of all countries. With a willingness to compromise among the many perspectives we can arrive at workable, ambitious solutions that will help us keep the 1.5C goal within reach,”. Espinosa said. Having been postponed by a year owing to COVID-19 and having to address items from COP25 held in 2019, COP26 has a huge agenda beyond the key aims. COP President, Alok Sharma said that he is committed to promoting transparency and inclusivity. Rwanda’s expectations Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, Rwandas Minister in Charge of Environment last week told The New Times that Rwanda is interested in international climate deals because it is also facing climate change effects. The summit is critical for Rwanda especially in the context of the fact that the country needs $11 billion by 2030 to mitigate climate change and build resilience to it. If this amount, 5.7 billion dollars is needed for mitigation and 5.3 billion dollars for adaptation. Rwanda needs finance to build resilience to climate change in developing nations including Rwanda, she said. Rwanda is part of an African group of negotiators representing the interests of the continent at COP26 COP26, will be an opportunity for Rwanda to engage with bilateral and multilateral partners, as well as investors in the country’s climate action and green growth agenda. During the global event, Rwanda will share its track record of fostering innovative solutions to climate change and why the country is one of the best destinations for green investment. Rwanda’s delegation to COP26 will be led by the Prime Minister, Édouard Ngirente, and include senior leaders from across government, civil society and the private sector. This year, Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, Dr Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, is co-chairing negotiations on achieving common timeframes for all nations when they submit plans for and report on emissions reductions. Rwanda has an ambitious target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 38% by 2030 compared to business as usual, equivalent to an estimated mitigation of up to 4.6 million tonnes of global warming gases. To ensure the country remains well coordinated in financing these goals, the Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA) was created. Since its inception, the Fund has raised US $217 million for green investments across the country.
