COP26
The world's biggest negotiation
A series of articles by scientists and researchers centred around the Glasgow climate conference
Climate change is the greatest challenge faced by species that inhabit our planet. The 26th United Nations Climate Change conference brings together world leaders, scientific experts and political decision-makers with the goal of aligning international interests towards achieving the terms of the Paris Agreement – in particular, limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Start here for comprehensive, evidence-based coverage of the summit and its ramifications from researchers and academics from around the world. Amid a rising tide of climate news and stories, The Conversation is here to clear the air and make sure you get information you can trust.
What is COP26? Here’s how global climate negotiations work and what’s expected from the Glasgow summit
Shelley Inglis, University of Dayton
Who’s who in Glasgow: 5 countries that could make or break the planet’s future under climate change
Matt McDonald, University of Queensland
What’s the point of this year’s UN climate summit in Glasgow?
Federica Genovese, University of Essex; Patrick Bayer, University of Strathclyde
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Emissions
Caused by burning fossil fuels, decimating forests, generating electricity and travelling across the planet, greenhouse gas emissions – and how to curb them globally – are a central focus of COP26 discussions because of their ability to significantly alter the Earth's climate. Read more about greenhouse gas emissions.
We can’t stabilise the climate without carbon offsets – so how do we make them work?
Alison Reeve, Grattan Institute
How to make global emissions peak and fall
Matthew Paterson, University of Manchester
More livestock, more carbon dioxide, less ice: the world’s climate change progress since 2019
Thomas Newsome, University of Sydney; Christopher Wolf, Oregon State University; William Ripple, Oregon State University
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Experts take you inside the fight for our future planet
Explore some of the big issues feeding into the COP26 negotiations:
- net zero – and the technology needed to get there
- trade-offs – required to transition away from fossil fuels, particularly for those communities hit hardest by the shift to renewables
- money – and how much the world's richest countries should give to protect the poorest parts of the world
- young people – impact their voices are having on the climate fight
Renewables
Energy derived from renewable sources – like the sun, wind, tides and rivers – is key to reducing worldwide carbon emissions and protecting the health of our planet. But while clean power is hailed as the answer to energy crises, governments will need to honour their commitments if we are to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Read more about renewables.
How much of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels and could we replace it all with renewables?
Robert McLachlan, Massey University
These 3 energy storage technologies can help solve the challenge of moving to 100% renewable electricity
Kerry Rippy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
To dos
The more we see our environment as a part of us, the more we're driven to protect it. Transforming the small spaces around us into havens where the natural world can flourish can positively impact local ecosystems in ways that ripple out further than we can imagine: keep reading for our experts' suggestions.
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Our forests
In a world that's lost one third of its forests, it's more vital now than ever to protect what remains. Forests not only act as giant carbon sinks offsetting greenhouse gas emissions, they're also home to countless endangered and undiscovered species. They also purify air and water and fortify soil against erosion. Read more about our forests.
Climate crisis: what can trees really do for us?
Rob MacKenzie, University of Birmingham; Rose Pritchard, University of Manchester
Want to beat climate change? Protect our natural forests
Kate Dooley, The University of Melbourne; Brendan Mackey, Griffith University
Our oceans
Water, water everywhere – and much of it filled with plastic. Our mistreatment of Earth's oceans has slashed biodiversity, damaged irreplaceable coral reefs and polluted our source of water. To build a better relationship with these sustaining seas, we must protect what remains for the sake of all life across our planet. Read more from our Oceans series.
The world’s ocean is bearing the brunt of a changing climate
A Conversation series
We analysed data from 29,798 clean-ups around the world to uncover some of the worst litter hotspots
Lauren Roman, CSIRO; Britta Denise Hardesty, CSIRO; Chris Wilcox, CSIRO
How marine protected areas help safeguard the ocean
Julie Reimer, Memorial University of Newfoundland
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