The implications of the COP26 Glasgow Climate Pact on global carbon emissions, and specifically on our environment and communities here in the West Midlands, won’t be clear for months or years to come. COP26 had four aims and here we reflect on progress, momentum in the region, and what we’ve got planned:
1. Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach
Over 40 countries have committed to shift away from coal which is a positive step, although objections raised by China and India, both being among the world’s biggest burners of coal, led to a change in wording to ‘phase down’ rather than ‘phase out’ coal. The deal is the first time there has been an explicit commitment to reduce coal – the worst offender for emitting greenhouse gases. The pledges made under the Race to Zero Campaign, made by businesses, investors, universities, cities and regions will all contribute to reduced emissions. However, analysis from research group Carbon Action Tracker suggests that even if all the promises made at COP26 are met, global warming would only be limited to 1.8 degrees. This relies on full implementation of all announced targets including net zero targets, binding long-term targets and nationally determined contributions. More realistic is temperature rises of more than 2.4 degrees by the end of this century, based on the short term goals to 2030 set out. What we’re doing We’ve worked with stakeholders to develop the evidence-based Sustainability Roadmap to 2030 for the West Midlands, and we monitor progress on this annually. Our research shows that we need to increase our efforts to address resource efficiency, clean and active travel, clean air and water, and social equity and health. The majority of our projects contribute to emissions savings. We’re managing the West Midlands Net Zero Business Pledge on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority, allowing any business to receive free support as they move towards net zero. Since launching in March, the pledge already has over 40 signatories. We’re working with the LGA to provide support to over 25 local authorities across England to address the challenges they face in housing retrofit, working closely with our members Contented, SHAP and Low Carbon Homes. The LGA are also supporting us to work with Telford & Wrekin Council to support local manufacturers on their journey to net zero. We’re working with Leicestershire Business Gateway Growth Hub to deliver a series of webinars for SMEs focused on net zero in the new year. Keep an eye on their events webpage for details. We also act as an advocate for sustainability and contribute to decision making across the region through our role advising numerous organisations including the Midlands Engine as part of their Green Growth Board, the Midlands Energy Hub as part of their Board, the Commonwealth Games as a founding member of their Sustainability Forum, the West Midlands Combined Authority Circular Economy Taskforce, and the Steering Group for the Low Carbon SME’s project at Aston University.
2. Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats
141 countries signed the ‘Declaration on Forests and Land Use‘, including Brazil, China and Indonesia, to ‘halt and reverse’ deforestation by 2030, backed by £5.3 billion of private finance and £8.75 billion of public funding to eliminate activities linked to deforestation and involve indigenous communities in restoring degraded land and protecting forests. Julian Woolford, Chief Executive at Staffordshire Wildlife Trust says: “COP26 has bought the climate crisis to the forefront of people’s minds, but importantly it has also enabled The Wildlife Trusts to highlight how intrinsically it’s linked to the nature emergency. Climate is impacting our species and habitats already, but nature can also play a part in our battle against climate change. All of our amazing habitats in Staffordshire store carbon – from the Staffordshire Moorlands, to our woodlands and grasslands. If we can protect and restore these extraordinary landscapes, we can help in the battle against climate change. Nature can also play a role in helping us adapt to climate change through nature-based solutions such as natural flood management. For example, by rewetting our moors, installing leaky dams, and naturalising our rivers, we can slow the flow of water coming downstream and reduce the impact of increased rainfall and flooding in our county. Our work is far reaching beyond our nature reserves. By working together with farmers, other conservation organisations and landowners, we can introduce nature-based solutions at the scale needed to ensure Staffordshire is united in tackling the nature emergency.” The Wildlife Trusts are calling for the adoption of the ’30 by 30’ target for nature at COP15 Part 2 (UN Convention on Biodiversity Diversity) taking place in China next spring, so that nature can be put into recovery across 30 per cent of land and sea by the end of the decade. It is hoped that negotiations will culminate in the adoption of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The Glasgow Climate Pact includes a goal for developed countries to double the funding provided to developing countries for adaptation by 2025, taking the annual figure to around US $40 billion. Under the Paris Agreement countries are requested to submit their Nationally Determined Contributions (plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change) every five years. The Glasgow Climate Pact improves on this by requesting countries increase their pledges again in 2022 rather than five years down the line. What we’re doing SWM have published the West Midlands Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2021-2026. This sets out the climate change adaptation actions that should be considered for implementation by decision makers in the West Midlands, to ensure that our natural environment, people, infrastructure, buildings and businesses are prepared for the impacts of climate change, including greater incidence and severity of flooding, a higher likelihood of water scarcity and more intense and prolonged heatwaves. The plan is the first of its kind for the West Midlands and acts as a catalyst to action on climate adaptation, in light of increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather. It was compiled in collaboration with the Environment Agency, with intelligence gathered from expert local stakeholders and using the Independent Assessment for UK Climate Risk (CCRA3) methodology and findings, which SWM was also involved in. We contributed to the development of the Natural Environment Plan which sets out the actions the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and partners will take over the next five years to enhance the region’s biodiversity, protect endangered species, and improve access to green spaces and waterways for residents. Our Chief Executive, Anna Bright, is a Trustee for the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country.
3. Mobilise finance
The ambition of COP26 was for developed countries to meet their promise to mobilise at least US $100 billion in climate finance per year by 2020. Parties also committed to a process to agree on long-term climate finance beyond 2025. As well as the funding for developing countries for adaptation, the Race to Zero campaign is mobilising private and public sector finance to commit to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. “Only mainstream private finance can match the scale of climate action needed for the net zero transition, including in emerging markets and developing countries” said the chair of Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, Mark Carney. COP26 was used as the forum to announce the formation of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) who will be responsible for developing global standards for sustainability disclosures for the capital markets. The new standards will provide companies with the tools they need to measure, demonstrate compliance with, and implement the changes necessary on the road to net zero. They will build on existing work from the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) which has developed voluntary recommendations in relation to relevant disclosures that have been adopted by many businesses and which have also served as the basis for enhanced mandatory disclosure requirements in the UK. What we’re doing We recognise the challenges around green finance and funding, especially for smaller businesses. Our Sustainable Business Support Hub is a constantly updated resource highlighting the support available to businesses in the region according to LEP area. The ‘news‘ stream on our website is updated daily to reflect financial support for all sectors, and our monthly newsletter and updates to networks all feature funding and support. We’re working with the British Business Bank to showcase the support available to businesses as part of Venturefest West Midlands on 24 March 2022, delivered in partnership with the Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands.
4. Work together to deliver
The fourth aim of COP26 was to work together to finalise the Paris Rulebook and accelerate action to tackle the climate crisis through collaboration between governments, businesses and civil society. Countries agreed the long-discussed Paris Rulebook, a set of important technical guidelines to implement the Paris Agreement, including guidance on carbon trading; common timeframes for countries’ emissions reduction targets; and guidelines on transparency. As we look towards COP27 in Egypt in November 2022 there is a push for government pledges on emissions cuts (nationally determined contributions (NDCs)) to be increased more frequently that the five years currently stipulated in the Paris Agreement. What we’re doing Our members collaborate to address sustainability challenges, and share learning to accelerate change. Only our collective cross-sector action will enable the transformation needed to limit climate change. We’re bringing our members together on 09 December at our AGM to ask what COP26 has meant for them, and find out what help they need from us and other support organisations. If you’d like to know more about the free support that SWM can provide for your organisation, please contact us to arrange a discussion. Anna Bright, Chief Executive, on behalf of the SWM Team.
