(c) Ben Porter
Reflections on COP26
As we begin a new year and step forward into the post-COP space, here are a few reflections from the perspective of naturalist and photographer, Ben Porter, on the happenings of the COP26 climate conference.
It’s been over two months since global leaders gathered in Glasgow to seek agreement on a collective path forward in addressing the climate crisis. Depending on who you asked, or which news platforms you follow, ‘COP26’ was hailed as everything from a complete ‘cop-out’ to a celebratory success. Amidst the blurr of technical jargon and bombardment of acronyms, it is difficult to tease apart a clear interpretation of what came out of the two weeks’ negotiations back in early November 2021. As we begin a new year and step forward into the post-COP space, here are a few reflections from my own perspectives on the happenings of the climate conference.
In late October 2021, I left the overcast skies of a small town in mid Wales (Machynlleth) and embarked on a 400-mile cycle ride destined for the Scottish city of Glasgow. Riding with one other companion for half the journey, we were then joined by five other friends in the Lake District for the final few days of the ride. The ten-day pilgrimage to COP26 provided a brilliant opportunity to stay with a variety of inspiring people, community projects and generous friends along the way, who were willing to accommodate our often soggy group for the night and provide a hearty meal at the end of a day’s ride.
(c) Ben Porter
Along our winding route through the country, we stayed with a traditional horse-logger in the forests of north-east Wales, in an immense eco-housing cooperative outside Lancaster, and with a land-based community project in the upland haunts outside Glasgow. It was inspiring to see communities engaged in real world solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises: ways of living more sustainably and in a way which encourages nature to flourish, rather than its degeneration.
We weren’t alone in our northward migration. Countless other groups and individuals converged on Glasgow in these final weeks of October from all corners of the planet; some after months on foot in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of this event. Our collective destination was the city of Glasgow; chosen to host ‘COP26’, the United Nations climate change conference, where the ambition was to bring global leaders together to accelerate action on climate change, and report back on the progress made in meeting the critical actions set out in the Paris Agreement of 2015.
2021 was yet another year which saw extreme weather events causing untold destruction to the planet and our most vulnerable communities: Kenya experiencing the continuation of a year-long drought, extreme floods destroying homes and communities in Nepal, wildfires engulfing parts of Greece and Turkey, and ripping through the Siberian taiga at an unimaginable scale. The need to step up global action to address climate change has never been more critical; how would the unquestionable urgency of the situation be met by our adopted World leaders?
To some, the results from the two weeks of negotiations were worthy of celebration. Before the Paris Agreement in 2015, climate change was on course to result in 6’C of warming by the end of the century; this dropped to 4’C after the Paris negotiations, and after the COP26 summit the new projection was 2.4’C. This demonstrates an enormous shift in ambition to tackle the crisis, and was backed up by further pledges made over the two weeks: countries covering more than 90% of the world’s forests agreed to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030 and a host of countries pledged to phase out coal and cut methane emissions. It was finally recognised that protecting, conserving, and restoring nature is critical in order to achieve the Paris Agreement temperature goal – something that has not been emphasised in previous COP events. Furthermore, it was agreed that we now need a yearly conference (as opposed to one every five years) to ‘ratchet up’ commitments annually and ensure that we are able to halve emissions by 2030 and keep 1.5’C in sight.
Yet amidst the numbers, pledges, commitments and promises, voices from those areas already being torn apart by the effects of the climate crisis will ask: is this enough? Where are the actions to back up the words which underpin these promised goals?
Greta Thunberg encapsulated the feeling of many others in their opinion of COP26, as that of ‘a big PR conference’ and ‘a festival of words, figures, targets and promises’. As Ugandan activist Vanessa Nakate declared in a speech to policymakers during the conference: ‘We have been here before’. How can we trust our World leaders when we have already had 25 previous conferences, and continue to hurtle towards an unliveable future thanks to the inaction of those in power?
Stepping outside of the negotiating rooms and onto the streets of Glasgow, the feeling of solidarity and collective power amidst those gathered for the conference was inspiring. People from all corners of the planet and all walks of life stood to make their voices heard: indigenous peoples from Africa and the Americas mixed with young activists, artists, doctors, scientists and concerned citizens. A ‘counter-COP’ event was organised across the city, where talks and activities provided spaces to listen to the voices that truly need to be heard: those on the front line of the climate crisis, those engaged in forging real solutions to the crisis, those who are fighting the destruction of their homelands to fossil fuel infrastructure and logging companies.
(c) Ben Porter
For me, COP was about the people. The sense of collective power as we marched through the streets of Glasgow was inspiring and motivating. Meeting others who care deeply about what is happening to our planet, and who are willing to do all they can to affect change was immense. Hearing indigenous peoples share their struggles and their hope for a better world was deeply moving. This bringing together of people is the untold story of COP, and one which cannot be valued enough.
I came away from the conference with a huge mix of emotions. On one level, the ambition set out by governments is not nearly drastic enough, and their track record of keeping to previous pledges hardly inspires trust. On another level, I was renewed in motivation and inspired by the commitment of others in addressing the crisis at all levels possible.
Solutions to the climate crisis aren’t about a few technological fixes. They are about addressing the fundamental disconnections between each other and between people and nature. We all have a part to play in addressing the crisis, and can all act within our communities and collectives to begin moving forward into a place of regeneration. For those grappling with the issue and struggling to know what to do, being involved in something you’re passionate about that contributes to the solution is a good place to start. Whether that’s growing food in your local area, campaigning politicians on climate, social and biodiversity issues, joining conservation work to restore nature, or using platforms to raise awareness of the issue and communicate to those around you. For young people in Wales passionate about nature, the Welsh Wildlife Trust’s ‘Stand for Nature’ campaign is a brilliant platform and opportunity to start getting involved in ways of bringing about change at local and national levels. Head over to Radnorshire Wildlife Trust website to find out more information: https://www.rwtwales.org/our-projects/stand-for-nature-wales.
I know it can feel disheartening and hopeless at times, but we cannot lose faith. We all have a choice we can make in the face of the crisis. Let’s act.
(c) Ben Porter
The books and podcast suggestions below are resources that I'd highly recommend for those trying to negotiate the day-to-day highs and lows of living amidst the climate emergency!
- 'From What Is To What If' - a book about the power of imagination by Rob Hopkins
- 'Outrage and Optimism' - a weekly podcast by the Global Optimism thinktank platform (https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/)
- 'The Future We Choose' - optimistic, practical and empowering. A book by Christina Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac
- 'Regeneration' - book and immense online resource from Paul Hawken: https://regeneration.org/