We must work together to deliver on climate goals

This World Environ-ment Day, I am reflecting on my recent visit to one of the most ecologically important countries in the world. Sadly, Bangladesh is also one of the most vulnerable to the destructive effects of climate change. More than 163 million people living here are only too well aware of this.

My visit to Bangladesh has come at a crucial time, with five months to go before the UK welcomes the countries of the world to Glasgow for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, COP26. This is our moment to get the world on track to address the enormous threat of climate change and build a cleaner, brighter future for us all.

We know what we need to do, because we've already agreed what we're aiming for. In 2015, the world signed the Paris Agreement, an international deal to tackle the climate crisis. That agreement commits us to limit global temperature rises to well below two degrees, aiming for 1.5 degrees, because the science tells us that would avoid the worst effects of climate change.

Every fraction of a degree makes a difference. An average global temperature rise of two degrees, compared to 1.5, would see hundreds of millions more people affected, and twice as many plant and three times as many insect species losing vast swathes of their habitat.

However, since the 1.5 degree target was set, the world has not done nearly enough and our planet is heating up. In my role as COP26 President Designate, I have witnessed the impact first hand: melting glaciers, crop degradation, villagers forced from their homes. Here in Bangladesh, I have heard how the catastrophic Cyclone Amphan in May 2020 was transformed into a "super cyclone" due to sea surface temperatures in the Bay of Bengal being 2C hotter than usual at that time of year; also, how sea level rise in the low-lying delta, drought in the north, and changing rainfall patterns across the country are forcing people into over-crowded urban areas; and how the natural defences of the Sundarbans mangrove forest can protect villages from high wind speeds and storm surges—natural defences which are sadly being shrunk by the effects of industrialisation and our changing climate.

If we continue as we are, these effects will get worse, and fast.

The Climate Action Tracker estimates that if countries keep to their emissions reduction targets, we are now on course for average temperature rises of 2.4 degrees. This is progress on their estimates this time last year. But there is much further to go. To limit warming to 1.5 degrees, we must halve global emissions by 2030. So this is the decisive decade.

We must act now to launch a consistent and concerted effort to reduce emissions throughout the next ten years, and to use the Covid-19 recovery to reimagine our economies, building a better future—one with green jobs and cleaner air, and increasing prosperity—without harming the planet.

This is what makes the next United Nations climate conference in Glasgow, COP26, so critical. It must be the moment where every country, and every part of society, embraces their responsibility to protect our precious planet and keep the 1.5 degree target alive. And we have a clear plan to get there.

As COP26 President Designate, alongside the Prime Minister, fellow ministers and the whole of the UK's diplomatic network, I am pressing for action around four key goals. And I am pleased to have had a positive discussion with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other ministers this week about how we can work together to raise global ambition around these goals.

First, we must put the world on a path to driving down emissions until they reach net zero by the middle of this century. This is imperative to keep 1.5 degrees within reach. So we need countries to come forward with clear targets to reduce emissions. This means near-term 2030 emissions reduction targets consistent with net zero by the middle of the century. And these targets must be based on the science, so that net zero is not just a vague aspiration, but a concrete plan.

We also need to see action on the most polluting sectors. If we are serious about 1.5 degrees, Glasgow must be the COP that consigns coal power to history, calls time on deforestation and signals the end of polluting vehicles. So we are working with governments and through international organisations to end international coal financing, a personal priority of mine. We are urging countries to abandon coal power, and we are working with developing countries to support their transition to clean energy.

We are seeing real progress. The G7 Climate and Environment Ministers' meeting, which I recently co-chaired, committed G7 nations to end all new direct government support for international coal power by the end of 2021. And ministers agreed to transition away from dirty coal domestically to an overwhelmingly decarbonised power system in the 2030s. I am encouraged that Bangladesh is also rethinking its energy trajectory, and reducing its pipeline of coal-fired power stations. I have confirmed that UK support is available for scaling up renewable energy.

Our second goal is to protect people and nature from the worst effects of climate change. The climate crisis is already with us and we must act on the very real need for flood defences, disaster management systems and other vital efforts to minimise, avert and address the loss and damage caused by climate change. As chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, Bangladesh is showing real leadership in this area, from early warning and evacuation systems saving lives to climate-resilient crops ensuring food sources are protected.

Our third goal is finance, without which the task ahead is near impossible. Developed countries must deliver the USD 100bn a year they promised to support developing countries. The UK is leading by example, having committed 11.6bn pounds between 2021 and 2025. And we need all developed countries to step up. It is a matter of trust.

We must also make finance easier to access and increase the sums available to protect people and nature. In March, I brought together ministers from 50 governments and international institutions to address these issues, and we are focused on delivering the commitments made at that meeting. I am pleased that Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr A.K. Abdul Momen joined that meeting and has confirmed Bangladesh's willingness to work with us on this.

Fourth, we must work together to deliver on these goals. That includes building consensus among governments, so the negotiations in Glasgow are a success, as well as bringing businesses and civil society on board behind our COP26 goals and building up international collaboration in critical sectors. I heard from some of the many climate experts here in Bangladesh, from young leaders to private sector companies. Their message was clear: they want to create a cleaner, greener, and more secure future.

I call on all countries to step up efforts on these goals, because COP26 is our last hope of keeping 1.5 degrees alive, our best chance of building a brighter future. This is our moment—there are no second chances. Let's seize it together.

Alok Sharma is a British politician currently serving as President Designate for COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference. He visited Bangladesh from 2-3 June 2021.