Vulnerable, small nations now lead charge to submit new climate plans ahead of COP 26 in UK

Additionally, over 120 countries have also informed the United Nations that they have either signed off on plans for net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 or are working towards this target. These figures are critically important as it comes at the beginning of a year which witnesses violent bush fires in Australia and floods in Indonesia that continue to highlight the intensity of the global climate crisis.

Responding to the official data, COP26 President Claire O’Neill said, “I’m pleased to see that 114 countries have now committed to lowering emissions by rethinking their NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) in this crucial climate year of 2020. This is an increase of more than 60 percent since September. We will now urge countries to develop ambitious plans to deliver these commitments ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow. It’s also encouraging to see the number of countries following the UK’s lead, and pledging to develop a Net Zero plan has doubled from 60 to 121.”

Another expert, David Waskow, who is the International Climate Director at World Resources Institute (WR) said that the proportion of small and mid-size countries that are taking the lead in updating their climate commitments is for all to see and learn. “We see leadership coming from a very large number of vulnerable and other small and medium-sized countries — now making up a majority of countries that belong to the Paris Agreement. But what’s still glaringly missing is leadership from the largest emitters. The alarm bells should be ringing for them now.”

The 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 26) to the UNFCCC is expected to take place from 9-19 November 2020, in Glasgow, UK.