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Glasgow Accord: Weak, say environmentalists

Insufficient Glasgow Agreement

Despite the fact that COP26 should have ended on Friday, November 13, this Saturday the summit released a new draft of the Glasgow agreement, however, it has been labeled as insufficient, as the proposed measures may not be able to achieve the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C in line with the 2015 Paris agreement.

The first two drafts were not well received by environmentalists and they stressed that the major effort of countries should be directed at eliminating fossil fuels and ending offsets used by large energy companies. 

Offsets stifle ambition and give polluters a way to avoid genuine, substantial and timely emissions reductions. It's like saying you go on a diet, but you keep eating cake while paying someone else to eat lettuce," said Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International.

This third installment has been slightly better received by environmentalists, who although they have branded it as "weak", point out that it is essential for the transition to clean energy. 

Another of the most important points that are discussed from England is the subsidy by developed countries to the poorest, Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of England called on rich countries to provide more money to move developing countries away from the use of fossil fuels. 

It is worth noting that in the 2009 agreement the developed nations committed to something similar, and proposed $100 billion dollars per year by 2020. This commitment was not fulfilled and now seems insufficient. 

China and the U.S. pledge to take action on climate change

One of the most surprising alliances that has left this summit is that of the United States and China, two of the most polluting countries, which announced a pact to take action to curb the effects of global warming. 

 The Asian nation's president declared last Thursday the great need to work together as the two nations together account for 40 percent of global carbon emissions. 

In that document, both countries pledge to reduce methane emissions, as well as to hold regular meetings to address the most pressing issues of the environmental crisis. And, for its part, the United States aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, while China aims for a net-zero goal by 2060. 

Despite China's pledges, it should be noted that China refused to sign the document in which more than 100 nations pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030. 

You may be interested in: Climate crisis poses existential threat, but there is a silver lining: Biden

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