10 Island Initiatives To Watch In The Lead Up To COP26

Excerpt from Island Innovation:

In November, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) takes place in Glasgow, Scotland. This important assembly of global delegates is an opportunity for countries to determine their progress on the Paris Agreement commitments, as well as announcing new goals.

Several nations have announced new targets, including the United States and conference host the United Kingdom. The latter pledged to use its presidencies of both COP and the G7 to highlight the work being done by island communities. It’s promising that representatives from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have met regularly with COP26 President Alok Sharma, who has continued to call for immediate climate action as the world transitions towards a low-carbon future.

SIDS and LDCs have called for more ambition among the world’s major powers. The UK also reminded world leaders of their agreed financial commitments for less developed nations’ resilience and adaptation programmes. The $100Bn funding mark set for 2020 has fallen short, but the UK is determined to make COP26 an opportunity to steer the world back on track. The climate crisis continues to disproportionately affect island nations and the need for action is pressing.

Whether it be the concerns voiced through the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), or working together to share best practice at events like the Virtual Island Summit (VIS), islands are actively developing sustainable solutions for the future.