Alok Sharma, COP 26 President, UK, with António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
Highlights of the day included:
- The first decisions of the governing bodies being adopted;
- The launch of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance; and
- Events related to cities, regions and the built environment.
To explore individual negotiation items, please read the full ENB daily report.
Negotiations
COP 26 President Alok Sharma struck a rather somber, or perhaps realistic, tone. In a press conference, he announced a “tranche” of draft decision texts, including on finance, loss and damage, and Article 6 (market and non-market-based mechanisms). But he stressed that “time is running out” and that work on finance and Article 6 need to accelerate “now.”
Room view during the informal stocktaking plenary
Work proceeded in a variety of settings. Ministerial consultations on finance convened in the late evening. Bilateral meetings went on between delegations, and between delegations and the COP Presidency. “Informal informal” meetings helped delegates huddle together to find solutions. Still, few expect the COP President’s goal of ending the meeting on time to be realized. Continue reading