A climate for ambition: Diplomatic preparations for COP26 Contents

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4Covid-19

31.The covid-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges for the UK’s Presidency of COP26 and dramatically changed the way that countries engage internationally.69 The Government will now need to conduct effective, time-sensitive negotiations through a combination of digital and in-person diplomacy.70 We were told that this will be an extremely difficult task, as in-person trust-building has often played an extremely important role in COP negotiations.71 We heard that the ability of negotiators to spontaneously approach each other and to organise side meetings to explore compromise solutions is often crucial to securing agreements.72 Dr Rietig, Senior Lecturer in International Politics at Newcastle University, told us that:

Frequently, deals are struck after nights of negotiations when the presidency and group pressure make clear to negotiators that they will not be able to leave until an agreement is found.73

…This is something that is very difficult to reconstruct on Zoom and other online platforms.74

32.Continuing uncertainties around covid-19 restrictions will present further logistical challenges given that roughly 30,000 delegates would usually be expected to attend a COP.75 This substantial number of UK and international delegates could present health risks to those attending the conference as well as the wider populations in Glasgow and the UK. The COP26 President has expressed that the Government’s “clear intent is that we have a main conference that is in person” and highlighted that this is also the preference of many of the most vulnerable countries.76 However, it is now only six months until the conference is due to take place and the Government has yet to outline any plans for what may happen if numbers of attendees are limited. Dr Jennifer Allan, Lecturer in International Relations, Cardiff University, told the BEIS Committee that “what we need is clarity on how the meetings will be scaled back, who will be invited and how to ensure that inclusivity, given that fewer people will be coming to Glasgow than originally anticipated.”77

33.Many of those who submitted evidence to our inquiry emphasised that, for COP26 to be successful, all countries needed to feel invested and included in negotiations and the UK’s preparations for the conference.78 We were told that it would not be possible to guarantee that a virtual forum was inclusive unless people from the world’s poorest countries had access to it.79 However, moving negotiations online can create accessibility issues for those with poor internet access, lack of access to simultaneous translation services or unstable connectivity.80 Robert Falkner, Professor in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science, noted that:

There is huge concern, especially among poorer developing countries, which may struggle on the infrastructure side and not have stable and powerful connections, that they will therefore be disadvantaged.81

Recent research by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) echoes these concerns, 90% of the LDCs they surveyed agreed that poor internet accessibility affected their ability to participate in virtual meetings relevant to climate diplomacy.82 Accessibility meant, for example, no internet or signal where they are located. The same number also agreed that poor internet quality affected their ability to participate in virtual proceedings. The FCDO says that it is:

Considering how we can build on new ways of working and advances in technology to enhance participation and inclusivity. The world of virtual events is moving fast and we need to be open to learning and adapting plans as lessons are learnt. We will work closely with all our partners to consider what the right virtual offer could be for COP26 to maximise participation. While this presents opportunities, we recognise the very strong view among parties of the imperative of in-person negotiations and that remains our focus.83

34.For COP26 to be successful, the Government will need to ensure that negotiations are inclusive and take into account the viewpoints of the Least Developed Countries and the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. It will not be possible to guarantee that negotiations are inclusive unless the Government ensures that people from the world’s Least Developed Countries have effective access to them. Poor internet access and connectivity could prove a real barrier to hosting an inclusive conference. Diplomatic efforts during the pandemic and recovery must recognise these challenges, participants should be supported with accessing negotiations and the Government must recognise situations where in-person diplomacy is needed. The event should be viewed as an opportunity to look at new ways of connecting communities, not just an obstacle.

35.The UK Government must recognise that it may not be possible for 30,000 delegates to attend a conference in November. There is a distinct possibility that large parts of the summit will have to be moved online or downscaled because of risks from covid-19. Those participating need more certainty on how covid may affect the logistics of the conference. In response to our report the UK Government should set out the criteria it will use to determine whether COP26 can go ahead as an in-person conference. We recommend that the Government set out what will happen if COP26 cannot have an in-person ‘green zone’ or if the main conference cannot go ahead with the expected number of attendees. The Government should also set out priorities for in-person attendees and contingency plans for virtual or hybrid events.

36.Given the commitment of the global environmental community to a green agenda, a downscaled COP26 could become the first expression of a new approach to international climate diplomacy, rejecting airmiles for airwaves and living the message of carbon neutrality.