COP26: it's far from perfect, but it's a start

The dust has settled on COP26, and as delegates leave Glasgow the real work begins: putting the agreements into action. World leaders yesterday agreed to a watered-down, but significant milestone: for the first time in 26 years of climate summits, the Glasgow Climate Pact includes references to “phasing down” coal and “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies. It’s far from perfect, but it’s a start.

And in case you missed it, on Friday afternoon the Morrison Government sneakily released its modelling for the net zero ‘plan’ - and as suspected, it’s a fizzer, leans heavily on private sector investment and doesn’t even get us to net-zero emissions by 2050. It also allocates vast tracts of Australia to “underground carbon capture and storage”, which may come as news to the people living in these areas.

COP26 Wrap: Australian and global reactions to the ‘Glasgow Climate Pact’
The ‘Glasgow Climate Pact’, which falls short of bridging the gap to 1.5°C, but at least keeps on pressure on countries to improve their short term targets.

Hunt refuses to commit to 2030 climate target
Health Minister Greg Hunt has refused to say whether Australia will return to international climate talks late next year with an updated 2030 emission reduction target as the concluded UN Glasgow summit demanded.

Five questions the Morrison government must answer now it has agreed to the Cop26 pact
If Australia wants to stop being seen as a climate ‘wrecker’ it needs to increase its 2030 emissions target, phase down coal power and cut fossil fuel subsidies.

Economic modelling asserts advantage of complete net zero in regional Victoria
New economic modelling shows most Victorian regions will see strong employment and economic growth if Australia transitions to a fully net zero economy.

Alan Kohler: We must not let Scott Morrison get away with do-nothing climate plan
It’s clear from the modelling that the only reason the Morrison net zero plan exists at all is to prevent an increase in Australia’s cost of capital caused by the world’s banks and investment houses shunning this country.writes Alan Kohler

'Comically flawed': Climate experts criticise Australia's net zero modelling
Climate analysts have questioned the assumptions in the modelling underpinning the Australian government's 2050 emissions reduction target.