Description
Regarding the accelerating global climate crisis, the intergovernmental summit COP26 in Glasgow was both a success and a failure. The gap between pledges and implementation remains stark, but there are several strong outcomes that will structure the international politics of climate crisis for the next decade. Science-based policy is now at the heart of international political decision-making. The new norm for climate action is keeping average global temperature increase to 1.5C, and this norm requires a global 45% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. Diplomatic and policy balances between mitigation and adaptation are now as important as mitigation alone, as vulnerable countries face the increasing realities of the climate crisis. Finally, the implementation of adaptation strategies within this balance requires the reorganization of public and private finance so that massive support can be channeled effectively to the countries of the South. This paper rehearses the way in which these outcomes from COP26 will underpin the coming ‘decade of decision’ and the dilemmas that this international politics of decision will meet.
