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COP26
The 26th UN Climate Change Conference
18 MINUTE READ
November 1, 2021

Latest from COP26

The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October – 12 November 2021. The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

For the latest news from COP26 visit: ukcop26.org.

COP26

Countdown to COP26:

To highlight the U.S. President Biden administration’s climate change commitments to COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021, U.S. Embassy Wellington and COP26 president, The British High Commission, hosted “Countdown to COP26”; a hybrid in-person/virtual panel discussion and reception.  Panelists included the Minister of Climate Change for New Zealand, Associate Minister for the Environment (Biodiversity) and Co-Leader of the Green Party, James Shaw, British High Commissioner Laura Clarke and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Kevin Covert.  Each panelist spoke to their nations’ commitments to COP26, and the priorities, opportunities, and challenges they see in partnering on the global effort to combat climate change (photo gallery below, and here on FlickR)

Climate Change Workshop:

On October 26th, 2021, representatives from the European Union in New Zealand and UK in New Zealand lead a Climate Change Workshop for the diplomatic corps at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington.

The U.S. Goals for COP26

COP stands for conference of the parties it is a global climate summit hosted by the UN. The 26th UN Climate Change Summit takes place from November 1st to November 12 in Glasgow, Scotland this year.

Bold action to tackle the climate crisis is more urgent than ever. The record-breaking heat, floods, storms, drought, and wildfires devastating communities around the world underscore the grave risks we already face. Through our actions at home and our leadership abroad, the United States is doing its part to build a zero-carbon future that creates good jobs and ensures a healthy, livable planet for generations to come. Read more about the U.S. commitment at state.gov

President Announces New Actions to Tackle Climate Change, Tap Economic Opportunity, and Tout Ambition of Collective Global Efforts

On day one in office, President Joe Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement, restored U.S. leadership on the world stage, and reestablished our position to tackle the climate crisis at home and abroad. On day one at the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), President Biden will outline the bold steps his Administration is taking in his whole-of-government approach to combat climate change, underscore how bold action delivers economic prosperity and peace and security, and rally countries from every corner of the world to step up their ambition and confront this existential threat during a decisive decade.

FACT SHEET: President Biden Renews U.S. Leadership on World Stage at U.N. Climate Conference (COP26).

Remarks by President Biden at the COP26 Leaders Statement.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the COP26 U.S. Center Opening Event.

Secure Net -Zero by mid-century

The United States is committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2050.

Goals of COP26

Keep 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach

The new targets announced at the President Biden’s Leader Summit On climate by the U.S. and key partners have now put in place targets reflecting pace of emission reduction in line with the vital goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Goals of COP26

Adapt and protect communities and natural habitats

Work together to help countries effect by climate change to protect and restore ecosystems, build defenses, put warning systems in place and make infrastructure and agriculture more resilient to prevent loss of homes livelihoods and lives.

Goals of COP26

Encourage Countries to deliver on promise to raise $100bn in climate finance per year

During the second Leaders’ Summit on Climate Session, President Biden stressed the importance of developed countries meeting the collective goal of mobilizing $100 billion per year in public and private finance to support developing countries. He announced that the administration intends to seek funding to double, by 2024, annual U.S public climate Finance for developing countries, compared to the average level of the second term of the Obama- Biden Administration (2013-2016).

Goals of COP26

Finalize the Paris Rulebook (the rules needed to implement the Paris Agreement)

United states submitted a new nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris agreement.

Goals of COP26

Encourage collaboration between governments, business, and civil society

The Leaders’ Summit on Climate Session hosted by President Biden was the largest virtual gathering of world leaders ever. The Summit reconvened the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (The world’s 17 largest economies and greenhouse emitters).  In addition to the major economies, President Biden invited leaders of countries especially vulnerable to climate change impacts, countries that have demonstrated strong climate leadership, or countries charting innovative pathways to a net-zero economy.

Goals of COP26

Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry remarks on the urgency of global climate action:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken’s speech on American Leadership on Climate:

National Climate Advisor for President Biden, Gina McCarthy talks about the Intersectionality of Climate Change:

Read more about the U.S. commitment at state.gov.

COP26 Resources & U.S. Government Fact Sheets, Remarks, and Media Releases

Go-to websites:

COP26 website: ukcop26.org.

State Department Climate Crisis webpage: state.gov/policy-issues/climate-crisis.

The new look climate.gov (NOAA).

United States Environmental Protection Agency.

U.S. Global Change Research Program.

Young Pacific Leaders.

Five Things You Should Know About COP26 – state.gov.

U.S. Government Fact Sheets, Remarks, and Media Releases:

FACT SHEET: Biden Administration Makes Climate Information and Decision Tools More Accessible.

FACT SHEET: The United States and European Union To Negotiate World’s First Carbon-Based Sectoral Arrangement on Steel and Aluminum Trade.

FACT SHEET: President Biden Renews U.S. Leadership on World Stage at U.N. Climate Conference (COP26).

FACT SHEET: President Biden Tackles Methane Emissions, Spurs Innovations, and Supports Sustainable Agriculture to Build a Clean Energy Economy and Create Jobs.

Remarks by President Biden at the COP26 Leaders Statement.

Secretary Antony J. Blinken at the COP26 U.S. Center Opening Event.

Remarks by President Biden at “Accelerating Clean Technology Innovation and Deployment” Event.

Remarks by President Biden in Meeting on the Build Back Better World Initiative.

Remarks by President Biden at an Event Highlighting the Progress of the Global Methane Pledge.

Remarks by President Biden at the “Action on Forests and Land-Use” Event.

Background Press Call by Senior Administration Officials Previewing Day Two of COP26.

Remarks by President Biden at the COP26 Event on “Action and Solidarity: The Critical Decade”.

Joining the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.

United States, European Union, and Partners Formally Launch Global Methane Pledge to Keep 1.5C Within Reach.

U.S. President Biden, European Commission President Von Der Leyen, And UK Prime Minister Johnson Announce Commitment To Addressing Climate Crisis Through Infrastructure Development.

Forest Investor Club Establishment at COP26.

Plan to Conserve Global Forests: Critical Carbon Sinks (PDF).

Secretary Granholm’s Remarks at the COP26 Energy Day Opening Plenary.

ShareAmerica – Protecting the climate and creating jobs.

 

Local Event:

Virtual panel: Making Movements after COP26: U.S. Youth, Climate Change, and Human Rights Movements that inform our Future.