Italian environmental groups have
pledged to continue to battle for action to address the climate
crisis, saying the outcome of the COP26 conference that
concluded in Glasgow at the weekend was a disappointment.
The pledges made at the UN conference came up far short of
achieving the target of limiting global heating to 1.5° C higher
than pre-industrial levels to avert a global environmental
catastrophe.
There was also disappointment over the issue of finance to help
developing nations cope with a crisis that has primarily been
created by high-emitting wealthier States.
But the nations did agree to revisit and strengthen their
nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the effort next
year at COP27 in Egypt, instead of in five years as originally
laid out in the Paris Climate agreement, and to "phase down" the
use of coal and to eliminate "inefficient" fossil-fuel
subsidies.
"The Glasgow agreement is inadequate in order to face the
climate emergency, above all for the most vulnerable communities
of poor countries, but it keeps the 1.5°C target alive," said
Legambiente President Stefano Ciafani.
"The sore points include the crucial question of stopping the
burning of fossil fuels, which was not addressed adequately, and
the fact that no steps forward were made on the creation of the
Loss and Damage Facility to help poor countries face the climate
crisis".
Mariagrazia Midulla, the climate and energy head of WWF Italia,
said a lot more progress was needed too.
"Keeping global warming below 1.5° C is still possible only if
we intensity the global response to the climate crisis," said
Midulla.
"But the remaining window of time (to take action) is closing
fast.
"So it is time for the world leaders to keep all their promises
to ensure a safe, pleasant future for everyone.
"Glasgow was a starting point, not a final destination.
"We must all work for the climate crisis to be tackled in every
sphere with the necessary speed and incisiveness.
"No one is safe and we all have too much to lose, us and the
planet".
The Italian section of the Climate Reality Project, a global
network of volunteer activists, amplified a message from the
movement's founder, former United States Vice President Al Gore.
"The outcome of COP 26 shows us that it has never been more
important to hold our leaders accountable to their words and
pledges," said Nobel Peace-Prize winner Gore.
"Advocates for climate action cannot - and must not - let up...
"Now is the time for government leaders, policymakers, business
leaders, consumers, and activists in every nation to redouble
their efforts and use the Glasgow Climate Pact as a springboard
from which to drive bold action that will keep the goals of the
Paris Agreement alive".
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