![]() In 2015, countries came together and formed the Paris Agreement.Īnd in it they agreed to limit global heating to well below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels by the end of this century, pursuing efforts to limit this rise to 1.5 degrees. That is the essence of the argument I want to make today.Īnd I want to set out how the UK will work over our COP26 Presidency year to keep the world on course.įirst however, I want to unpack that central idea, that collective self-interest led to success at Glasgow. I believe the collective self-interest that helped COP26 to succeed must now drive us to nurture the spirit of global cooperation forged in Glasgow, and honour the Glasgow Climate Pact. Or do they allow our success to wither on the vine? Twelve weeks on from the start of that summit, those same leaders who came to Glasgow have a choice to make.Īnd it is one made in full knowledge of its consequences.ĭo they match the powerful rhetoric we heard, with concrete action?ĭo they honour the promises made in Glasgow? In short, climate is a space where national and global interests align.Īnd as a result, leaders recognised that despite other differences, cooperation at COP26 was in our collective self-interest. Second, that inaction or delayed action on climate will create immense risks and costs,and populations across the world demand leaders to respond - and to respond now.Īnd third, alongside the invaluable environmental dividend, there is an economic dividend to be reaped from tackling climate change, a fact recognised by global business and finance. The science is clear, human activity is responsible for our changing climate. Truths which should be uncontroversial, though some still seek to undermine them.įirst, that this planet is our only home and we are in danger of destroying it. Truths which impact every country on earth. They did this because they broadly recognised three truths. They committed to take action on climate.Īnd they forged the Glasgow Climate Pact. Yet, in a temporary structure on the banks of the River Clyde, 197 countries came together, at COP26. Wars, dragged mercilessly on, and tensions mounted between some of the world’s great powers.Īll around us we saw a fractured and fractious world, as the pandemic continued to cause devastation across the globe. Thank you Professor Benton for that kind introduction, and thank you to Chatham House for hosting me today.Īround the world, 2021 saw troops mobilise, violence erupt, and relations between old friends and allies strained.
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