Rabat – The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is scheduled to be held this year in Glasgow, Scotland , between October 31 and November 12, 2021.
For nearly three decades, the UN has been gathering countries from all around the world for global climate summits called “Conferences of the Parties,” or COPs.
Following many scientific reports demonstrating the danger of global warming during the past few months, it is crucial to now raise the level of ambition in regards to the COP26 plans and agreements.
This year, the UK is combining the efforts of 197 countries in order to reach a consensus on how to efficiently reduce the negative effects of climate change.
First major face-to-face event since the pandemic
COP26 was initially set to be held in 2020, but was rescheduled due to the health crisis. This year’s COP is therefore the first major in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic started.
The objective of the global conference is to contribute to a sustainable recovery by making decisions that will have a lasting impact on the planet, such as the commitment to move towards a low carbon environment.
“In COP26, we hope to make big advances in establishing the finance flows that are needed to carry out both the adaptation of industry and lifestyles and the mitigation against the effects of climate change,” said Simon Martin, British Ambassador to Morocco, during an interview with Morocco World News.
With COP26, participating countries are prepared to work together to enable and encourage areas that are most affected by climate change.
In order to adapt the affected communities and habitats, the COP26 is aiming to protect and restore ecosystems, build defenses, put warning systems in place and make infrastructure and agriculture more resilient, in order to avoid loss of livelihoods and homes.
“Securing a brighter future for our children and future generations requires countries to take urgent action at home and abroad to turn the tide on climate change,” said Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the UK.
Staying true to the Paris Agreement
During COP21, which was held in Paris in 2015, an international treaty on climate change called ‘The Paris Agreement’ was born.
The treaty represents a commitment to join forces in order to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees and aim for 1.5 degrees.
The Paris Agreement represents a milestone in the multilateral climate change process as it is the first agreement that brings together countries from all over the globe to fight against one common enemy: global warming.
“Additional commitments by governments will add together to make a real difference, and allow us to finish the work that was kicked off in Paris at COP21,” said Ambassador Martin.
Alok Sharma, member of the UK parliament and president of COP26, said: “Paris made a promise, Glasgow needs to keep the promise.”
Morocco is proving its leadership
Morocco has proven its dedication in the area of climate and green energy at COP7 and COP22, which both took place in Marrakech.
During the British Embassy reception, the UK Ambassador congratulated Morocco and affirmed that “many of the initiatives that are having a real impact today emanate from COP22 in Marrakech.”
“Morocco is among a rare group of countries that have a nationally determined contribution that is ambitious enough to make a difference,” said Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, the UN resident coordinator in Morocco.
The North African country has been highly affected by climate change. The Oxford Business Group (OBG) released a report on climate change in April 2021, citing desertification as a growing danger to Morocco’s agriculture sector.
Despite many challenges, Morocco is taking many actions to contribute to the global fight against global warming, with initiatives such as the use of renewable energy for 52 % of its electricity needs, as well as the “Green Morocco Plan” strategy, which was established in 2008 to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Armando Barucco, Italian Ambassador to Morocco, pointed out that “Morocco has extremely interesting prospects in terms of green ammonia, green hydrogen and the fuels of the future.”
Young Moroccans are becoming increasingly engaged in climate-related policy, with a large number of them participating in the COP26.
Despite hardships, there appears to be a “strong and unanimous” will to make a change across the world.
