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Alok Sharma to visit Australia

Alok Sharma (Picture Credits: Alok Sharma, Twitter)

This visit by the COP President to Australia and Fiji outlines how important the Indo Pacific is to tackling climate change within the decade.”…reports Asian Lite News

COP President Alok Sharma will travel to Sydney and Canberra from 24-26 July 2022 to meet ministers in the first week of the new Australian government as he continues to press for the delivery of the Glasgow Climate Pact.

Sharma will discuss Australia’s potential as an international climate leader in a number of areas, including climate finance and zero-emission vehicles. He will also engage with Australian states and hold discussions with banks, businesses and civil society groups in support of stronger action on climate.

In recent months, more frequent and severe natural disasters have shown the impacts of climate change in Australia, including severe flooding in New South Wales. Mr Sharma will speak with first responders to these disasters at New South Wales Rural Fire Service State Operations Centre

On Monday, the COP26 President will be in Canberra, where he will visit a local nature reserve. He will hear first-hand from Ngunnawal Indigenous leaders who will explain the impacts of climate change in Australia, as well as traditional land management practices.

COP26 recognised the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in the Glasgow Climate Pact. As stewards of 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples are leaders in how to develop nature-based, resilient and effective solutions to climate change, through their knowledge and innovations, technologies, and spiritual values.

Alok Sharma, COP26 President, said, “Australia is turning a fresh page with its climate commitments and I look forward to working with the new Australian government on its path towards increased commitments and leadership in crucial areas such as climate finance, deforestation and support for less developed nations in the Indo-Pacific. The “Powering Australia Plan’’ is an innovative centrepiece of the new government’s clean energy and industrial decarbonisation policy and paves the country’s path to net-zero by 2050 and increasing its clean energy capacity. During my time in Australia I will meet Indigenous representatives, business leaders, government ministers and more, providing a great opportunity to discuss ways we can work together for effective climate action.”

UK High Commissioner to Australia, Vicki Treadell said, “We’re delighted to welcome Alok Sharma to Australia where he’ll hear first-hand how the region is impacted by the climate emergency. We know that the Glasgow Climate Pact was a historic collective achievement, keeping 1.5C alive. Now is the time to deliver on those commitments. This visit by the COP President to Australia and Fiji outlines how important the Indo Pacific is to tackling climate change within the decade.”

Following the COP President’s visit to Australia, he will travel on to Fiji, a climate leader in the Pacific region. Like other Pacific countries, Fiji is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The UK is focussed on working with Fiji and Pacific countries to keep adaptation, loss and damage and climate finance on the top of the agenda in the lead up to and at COP27 in Egypt.

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Alok Sharma, the Indian-Origin Chief of UN Climate Summit

COP26 President Alok Sharma

Since Alok Sharma was appointed President for COP26, he has been on his toes, travelling across the globe to set the agenda for the summit, a report by VISHAL GULATI

The man behind bringing nearly all 200 nations into a common cause — to adapt to the effects of climate change and limit the rise in average global temperature to 1.5 C as required by the 2015 Paris Agreement — is an Indian-origin UK minister.

Born to Hindu parents in Agra and moving to the UK in 1972, Alok Sharma was appointed President for COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, on January 8.

Since then Sharma has been on his toes, travelling across the globe to set the agenda for the summit.

This year COP is being held under the presidency of the UK and is being hosted in Glasgow from October 31 to November 12. This is the largest event of its type that the UK has ever hosted. The climate talks bring together heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree to coordinated action to tackle climate change.

At the climate summit, which began amidst a series of reports and studies warning that urgent action is needed to keep the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global average temperature increases to 1.5 C within reach, Britain will be leading the formal negotiations and will have oversight of the overall COP package and vision, including political declarations.

Climate negotiators told IANS it would have been a big task for Sharma, who has been working closely with the backing of the Prime Minister to get countries to commit to new pledges to tackle the climate crisis, to enable the developing countries that require technological and financial support so they can leapfrog the dirty development path and increase their resilience to climate impacts.

Prior to entering Parliament, Sharma qualified as a chartered accountant with Coopers & Lybrand Deloitte, and then worked for 16 years in banking.

Sharma was in New Delhi in August for discussions with ministers and leaders from industry and civil society on collaboration on climate action.

At that time, Sharma, who holds the post of minister of state at the UK Cabinet Office, said India had a vital role to demonstrate renewed action under the Paris Agreement.

“India’s leadership, including through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), is hugely important as we look to build global resilience ahead of COP26 and beyond,” he had said.

In the last climate talks in Spain in 2019, India, China, Brazil and some developing countries had failed to convince the world to evolve rules for trading internationally carbon credits which help them decarbonise economies at lower cost.

The countries failed to agree unanimously on Article 6 of the crucial Paris Agreement rulebook concerning the carbon markets system as the two-week lengthy negotiations concluded two days past the official deadline.

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement provides guidelines on how international climate markets will work, as a key component of the world’s economic toolbox for addressing climate change.

It allows emission reductions to be implemented in one country and the credit to be transferred to another and be counted towards its commitments (known as nationally determined contributions or NDC).

In COP25, the developed world took the stand of not allowing the ‘junk’ carbon market, which allows buying and selling of carbon emissions, and emerged under the Kyoto Protocol adopted in December 1997 to continue in the exiting mechanism under the Paris Agreement.

Several countries like India had been demanding to carry forward the old carbon credits earned also by companies to meet new climate targets. The carbon credits allow companies to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate experts told IANS that it would be high time for Britain, especially Indian-origin COP President Sharma, to convince the developed nations not to completely reject the carbon trade mechanism, a key component for the full operationalisation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

In India, 1,686 projects have been successfully registered under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol, millions of certified emission reductions (CERs) credits, better known as carbon credits, remain unsold with collapsing of the CDM market.

One CER equals one tonne of carbon dioxide. The CERs help companies earn billions of dollars by trading them. Currently, there is a market but no political platform.

In a new Reflections Note just ahead of the onset of COP26, Sharma said, “I very much want to support Parties to deliver on the matters you have told me are key political components of a Glasgow outcome. These include mobilising finance, keeping 1.5 alive, scaling up adaptation, addressing loss and damage, and finalising the Paris Rulebook — Article 6, the enhanced transparency framework and common time frames”.

“In addition, there are a number of other important decisions to be taken, including on Action for Climate Empowerment and the review of the Least Developed Countries Expert Group for example.”

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COP 26 :World Unites For Climate Summit in Glasgow

“Clearly, we need to address it. Clearly, we need to support the most vulnerable to cope. To do so successfully, greater ambition is now critical,” she underlined…reports Asian Lite News.

Following a series of reports and studies warning that urgent action is needed to keep the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global average temperature increases to 1.5C within reach, the Un Climate Change Conference (COP26) opened with the key aims of raising ambition on all fronts and finalising the agreement’s implementation guidelines.

“We are extremely grateful to the government of the UK for hosting this crucially important conference in these unprecedented times and for making every effort to keep all participants safe and healthy,” UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa said on Sunday.

“The devastating loss of lives and livelihoods this year due to extreme weather events clarifies how important it is to convene COP26 despite the impacts of the pandemic still being felt. We are on track for a global temperature rise of 2.7C, while we should be heading for the 1.5C goal. Clearly, we are in a climate emergency.

“Clearly, we need to address it. Clearly, we need to support the most vulnerable to cope. To do so successfully, greater ambition is now critical,” she underlined.

Greater ambition is required to achieve progress on all elements of the climate change agenda, including reducing emissions, moving adaptation to the centre of the agenda, addressing loss and damage from extreme climatic events and increasing the provision of support to developing countries.

A central issue is the provision of support to developing countries, especially in relation to the goal of mobilising $100 billion annually by 2020. Financial support is crucial for all elements of the climate change regime, including mitigation, but also in terms of adaptation, capacity-building, technology transfer and several other elements.

Many parties, especially developing countries, feel that in order to advance towards full implementation of the Paris Agreement, previous commitments should first be honoured.

Finalising the Paris Agreement’s implementation guidelines will enable the full implementation of all provisions, which will unleash more ambitious climate actions by all its parties.

Specifically, the outstanding guidelines relate to the details around the global goal on adaptation, how to report climate action and support transparently, and the use of market-based mechanisms and non-market approaches.

“We have no choice but to make COP26 a success. For that, we need unity of purpose. We need to leave Glasgow with a balanced package of decisions that reflects the positions of all countries. With a willingness to compromise among the many perspectives we can arrive at workable, ambitious solutions that will help us keep the 1.5C goal within reach. We stand ready to work with all parties and to leave no voice behind to reach this important goal,” Espinosa said.

Having been postponed by a year owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and having to address items from COP25 held in 2019, COP26 has a huge agenda beyond the key aims.

Alok Sharma (IANS)

Addressing the conference following his election, COP President Alok Sharma thanked delegates for travelling to Glasgow and outlined the urgent need for action.

“As COP President I am committed to promoting transparency and inclusivity. And I will lead this conference in accordance with the draft rules of procedure, and with the utmost respect for the party-driven nature of our process.

“In that spirit I believe we can resolve the outstanding issues. We can move the negotiations forward. We can launch a decade of ever-increasing ambition and action. Together, we can seize the enormous opportunities for green growth, for good green jobs, for cheaper, cleaner power.

“But we must hit the ground running to develop the solutions we need. And that work starts today. We will succeed, or fail, as one,” he said.

Following a procedural opening on Sunday, to enable work to begin quickly, Monday and Tuesday will be the World Leaders Summit with the presence of Royalty and more than 100 heads of state or government.

The World Leaders Summit provides all heads of state or government with the opportunity to set the stage for COP26.

A number of key ministerial and other events around current climate change efforts will take place during the COP. These include the fourth biennial high-level Ministerial Dialog on climate finance, the first Ministerial Dialog on climate finance under the Paris Agreement, several workshops and events to advance gender-related issues and the annual meeting with the participation of indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge.

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‘Ball in China’s court on making COP26 a success’

He also said that the bilateral trade agreement with Australia will have a “substantive clause” on both countries’ international climate commitments…reports Asian Lite News.

COP26 President Alok Sharma on Sunday said the ball is in China’s court when it comes to making the UN climate change conference in November a success.

Earlier this month, Sharma visited China and said he had “constructive and very frank discussions” during the trip. But Chinese President Xi Jinping has not yet confirmed whether he would attend the summit.

“In every conversation I had with the Chinese they were very clear that they want to see COP26 as a success so the ball is very much in their court,” Sharma told Sky News.

He also said that the bilateral trade agreement with Australia will have a “substantive clause” on both countries’ international climate commitments.

“When it comes to Australia, there is absolutely going to be a substantive clause in that deal which makes reference of the commitment of both countries to the Paris Agreement,” Sharma told Sky News.

Sharma said that the UK “has some of the strongest environmental measures in the world” which it will not compromise in its trade deal.

On September 8, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was accused by the UK branch of Greenpeace of lying to the public about climate commitments, claiming that the British government secretly agreed to remove binding temperature commitments in the Paris Agreement from the UK-Australian trade deal.

Sky News also claimed to have seen a leaked government email proving that British ministers agreed to bow to Australia’s pressure on ditching climate commitments.

On June 15, the UK secured a “historic” post-Brexit free trade deal with Australia that will scrap tariffs on products such as UK cars, Scotch whisky and confectionary and offer young people the opportunity to live and work in Australia.

The agreement also eliminates tariffs on Australian wines, meat, swimwear and confectionery, boosting choice for UK consumers and saving households up to 34 million pounds ($47.8 million) per year. (with inputs from ANI/Sputnik)

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Alok Sharma visits Saudi to discuss climate action

This included accelerating climate action in the 2020s and submitting ambitious 2030 targets for reducing emissions ahead of COP26, aligned with keeping the 1.5 degree limit temperature increases in reach…reports Asian Lite News.

COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma is on a visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss ramping up global action on climate change ahead of the vital UN Climate Change talks in Glasgow this November.

Sharma is set to meet with ministers including the Minister for Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadly. He will also meet with business leaders and civil society to discuss international collaboration on the transition to net zero by the middle of the century.

In a press statement, the UK government said it is keen to build on commitments made during the recent G20 Environmental Ministerial in Naples where ministers agreed to the full implementation of the Paris Agreement.

This included accelerating climate action in the 2020s and submitting ambitious 2030 targets for reducing emissions ahead of COP26, aligned with keeping the 1.5 degree limit temperature increases in reach.

On his visit, Sharma is expected to encourage Saudi Arabia to build on recent progress on climate issues, including the Kingdom’s Green Initiative, and projects to support coral reef survival and address land degradation, to chart a path towards a sustainable and inclusive recovery from Covid-19.

“I am delighted to be in Riyadh to build on a strong, modern partnership with Saudi Arabia to address the global threat of climate change,” Sharma said ahead of the visit.

“The launch of the Saudi Green Initiative and Middle East Green Initiative was an important step as we look to accelerate climate action ahead of COP26 and the UK welcomes Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for creating a more diverse and sustainable economy.”

“Indeed, climate action can pave the way to an exciting vision of our future that is good for the planet and the economy, as the plans for the green city of Neom and sustainable development for tourism on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast show,” he stated.

“But we must act now to reduce emissions throughout the next ten years and to reach net zero by the middle of the century, allowing us to build a greener, prosperous and more inclusive future and avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change,” he added.

COP26 President-Designate Alok Sharma is on a visit to Saudi Arabia to discuss ramping up global action on climate change ahead of the vital UN Climate Change talks in Glasgow this November.

Sharma is set to meet with ministers including the Minister for Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman and the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadly. He will also meet with business leaders and civil society to discuss international collaboration on the transition to net zero by the middle of the century.

In a press statement, the UK government said it is keen to build on commitments made during the recent G20 Environmental Ministerial in Naples where ministers agreed to the full implementation of the Paris Agreement.

This included accelerating climate action in the 2020s and submitting ambitious 2030 targets for reducing emissions ahead of COP26, aligned with keeping the 1.5 degree limit temperature increases in reach.

On his visit, Sharma is expected to encourage Saudi Arabia to build on recent progress on climate issues, including the Kingdom’s Green Initiative, and projects to support coral reef survival and address land degradation, to chart a path towards a sustainable and inclusive recovery from Covid-19.

“I am delighted to be in Riyadh to build on a strong, modern partnership with Saudi Arabia to address the global threat of climate change,” Sharma said ahead of the visit.

“The launch of the Saudi Green Initiative and Middle East Green Initiative was an important step as we look to accelerate climate action ahead of COP26 and the UK welcomes Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for creating a more diverse and sustainable economy.”

“Indeed, climate action can pave the way to an exciting vision of our future that is good for the planet and the economy, as the plans for the green city of Neom and sustainable development for tourism on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast show,” he stated.

“But we must act now to reduce emissions throughout the next ten years and to reach net zero by the middle of the century, allowing us to build a greener, prosperous and more inclusive future and avoid the catastrophic impacts of climate change,” he added.

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Alok to visit South & SE Asia to build support for COP26

With less than six months to go before COP26, he will meet with leaders from government, business and civil society to press for a move to global clean power…reports Asian Lite News

The COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma, will travel to Vietnam, Indonesia and Bangladesh this week to strengthen support for UK COP26 climate priorities ahead of hosting the crucial UN climate change summit in Glasgow this November.

With less than six months to go before COP26, he will meet with leaders from government, business and civil society to press for a move to global clean power, critical to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C.

Vietnam, Indonesia and Bangladesh are fast growing economies with significant renewable energy potential.

It builds on the recent Climate and Environment Ministerial meeting, under the UK’s leadership, where G7 nations agreed to end all new direct government support for international coal power, and to increase support for clean energy alternatives like solar and wind.

G7 nations also agreed to work to increase the quantity of finance for climate action in order to meet the $100bn per annum target to support developing countries.

“Last week, the G7 made history with a major step forward towards consigning coal to history and moving to a decarbonised power system. But tackling the climate crisis must be a global effort, which leaves no one behind,” Sharma said, ahead of his visit.

“COP26 is our best chance of safeguarding our planet for our children, building a brighter future with greener jobs and cleaner air, and keeping the 1.5C target alive,” he added.

The UK minister will discuss the needs of countries most vulnerable to climate change, to ensure they are equipped to deal with its current and damaging effects ahead of COP26.

Preventing deforestation whilst ensuring development and trade is sustainable will also be high on the agenda, as COP26 looks to highlight the protection of nature and biodiversity as a key tool in limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C.

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