COP26: The Road to 1.5 Just Got Harder With Glasgow Get-Out Clause

14 November 2021
by foeeurope -- last modified 14 November 2021

For the past fortnight, climate talks have turned Glasgow into an international hub for the world’s leaders, negotiators, observers and activists. Today (13 November), the summit culminates as a delayed cover decision with the consensus of all nations is published.

Responding to the agreement finalised just moments ago, Rachel Kennerley, climate campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

"The road to 1.5 just got harder when these talks should have cleared the way to making it a whole lot easier.

"The UK government cunningly curated announcements throughout this fortnight so that it seemed rapid progress was being made. Here we are though, and the Glasgow get-out clause means that leaders failed to phase out fossil fuels and the richest countries won't pay historic climate debt.

"With the COP moment over, countries should break away from the pack in their race for meaningful climate action and let history judge the laggards. The UK, as a country with huge historical responsibility for emissions, can end support for a mega gas project in Mozambique, pull the plug on the Cambo oil field, stop the new coal mine in Cumbria and drilling for oil in Surrey. After all the Prime Minister talked a big game at the beginning of the fortnight."

Friends of the Earth Europe is the largest grassroots environmental network in Europe, uniting more than 30 national organisations with thousands of local groups. The European arm of Friends of the Earth International represents the network at the heart of the European Union and campaigns for sustainable solutions to benefit the planet, people and our future.

Friends of the Earth Europe