Cop26 pledges to reduce emissions and halt deforestation are a major step forward in the battle to stage a recovery from the impending environmental disaster we are in the midst of. They definitely don’t solve the problem but they do map out a path towards a solution. Unfortunately, there are a lot obstacles littering that path. There are obviously some countries that are adamantly reluctant to give up the money and influence that an emissions heavy and fossil fuel driven world gives them. There are also a lot of countries that don’t have the infrastructure or basic living conditions to adopt a sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Developing countries are jockeying for finance to support them towards becoming carbon neutral. The UN needs to push for funding to support the investment in setting up the infrastructure for renewable energy in developing countries. It also needs to have a framework to ensure that certain countries following through on their pledges to transition away from fossil fuels and environment damaging practices. However, there is little indication that any allocated funding will be actually applied to delivering a sustainable environment and renewable energy platform. The dominance of corruption and poverty in these countries means that the carbon neutral goals may just not be realistic. A lot of the countries have rural areas that are largely lacking in amenities. Even electrification is still an aspirational target in a lot of these places. The requirements to enable them to adopt renewable energy on a mass scale are just not there.
Developing countries are responsible for less than 5% of total global emissions but are disproportionately affected by the impact of global warming. However, it must be acknowledged that a lot of developing countries import and consume a high volume of goods that produced by manufacturing responsible for a large amount of emissions. These economies and conveniences mean that while there is a demand for such commodities certain countries will continue to hesitate to change their manufacturing modalities. We have seen that Russia, China, India and Brazil; primarily amongst others, have dragged their feet towards embracing the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
Nigeria, a major oil producer, has done very little to develop solar or wind energy energy production. And this is despite being ideally placed to make strides in developing renewable energy resources. For decades now successive Nigeria governments have not only allowed petroleum companies to damage the environment, but have been complicit in suppressing efforts to halt and repair the damage. The country could have instituted a surcharge on corporate and individual leasing of oil concessions to repair and develop areas damaged by oil exploration. The surcharges could also serve as an investment fund for developing renewable energy solutions. It has not done so because of corruption, an absence of will, and a half hearted approach to tackling climate change.
Plans to reduce emissions, tackle methane production, phase out coal, curb deforestation and promote renewable energy are an extremely important step forward for the world. However, putting forward plans is not a guarantee that effective action will be taken. Developing countries are the most in need of environmental rehabilitation but they are the least likely to be fully committed making the changes needed. They are making a case for being given financing to enable them implement their plans but it is unlikely that the plans reflect the totality of the problem facing such countries. It is also highly unlikely that any funding won’t be misused or diverted towards other things.
The onus is on developed countries who are responsible for the greater proportion of global emissions to take decisive action to stop coal usage, phase out fossil fuels and stop profiting from environmental destruction. Unformtunately, developed countries are hardly the good samaritans we need them to be. They are much more the 'big bad wolves' of the world. America is just a few million votes away from another Trumpean apocalypse. Russia and Putin are very focused on doing anything to gain geographical and economic dominance over any nations vulnerable to its sway. China is desparately trying to relive Mao dynastic rule. The U.K. appears to have become pathologically untrustworthy and unreiable. The E.U. is struggling to convince its member states that they can thrive from working as a union without losing any sovereignty. The emerging economies are holding on to the idea of economic success above all else. The prospect of saving the environment seems extremly fraught.
There is a possibility of reducing emissions and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. However, this will require the developed nations doing their part and the whole world holding them to account. Without a concerted effort by all there is no way to achieve the desired goal by 2050. There is also a need to recognise that while reducing emissions will work towards a global rescue; developing countries are currently struggling with not only the effects of global warming but also a failure or inabillity to protect their regions against climate catastrophes. The work to develop strategies, plans and infrastructure needs to already be in full swing. Finance will be needed to get things underway. Governments will also need to be motivated to commit to the work and effectively implement environmentally sustainable practices.
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