Reality check: Here’s what the COP26 deals actually mean for our future climate
CNNGlasgow, Scotland CNN — Delegates from around the world hammered out a number of agreements in the first week of COP26, an international summit where global leaders are attempting to limit the climate crisis. Several countries had already agreed to end coal financing, but this deal is the first to include gas and oil, so it’s something of a breakthrough. Ending public money for oil and gas will similarly present a huge new hurdle to the economics of many oil and gas projects.” Reality check: The statement opens a path to a more-official deal, but critics say it doesn’t go far enough and should include financing for fossil fuel projects at home, not just internationally. The deal didn’t include China, India and the US – the world’s three biggest coal users, which are also the biggest greenhouse gas emitters. “This is the first global commitment on reducing the potent greenhouse gas methane, and it’s an incredible step forward … presidents and prime ministers standing up and recognizing that reducing methane is the strongest lever we can pull to rapidly and substantially reduce the rate of warming,” said Sarah Smith, a program director at Clean Air Task Force.