What Other Countries Are Bringing To COP26

The UK: The UK has been a leader among the industrialized world on emissions targets, with plans to decarbonize electricity production by 2035 and to reach net zero by 2050.

The UK was one of the first industrialised nations to set a target of reducing emissions to net zero by 2050 back in 2019.
The country’s sixth Carbon Budget, passed in April, sets a course to for the UK reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, in line with the country’s goal of reaching net zero by 2050.
In advance of COP26, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed plans to decarbonize electricity production in the UK by 2035.

The EU: The 27-member European Union bloc plans to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

In July, the European Commission adopted a series of legislative proposals outlining how it will reach climate neutrality by 2050, including a target of at least 55% net reduction in emissions by 2030, up from the previous target of a 40% reduction.
The EU will present its comprehensive action plan to reach climate neutrality by 2050 at the COP26 conference in Scotland.
In the coming weeks, EU lawmakers are also set to approve a requirement that member countries set national climate targets every five years, lending weight to the 27-nation bloc’s negotiation position at COP26.

Canada: With climate a key election issue, Canada is taking steps to meet net zero goal by 2050.

Canada’s parliament passed the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act in June, which sets up a legally binding process to set five-year emissions reductions targets for 2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045, with a goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
The recent September elections saw each major party’s leaders offer competing plans to address the climate crisis.
Following the September 20th election, Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson told the Canadian Press that a detailed plan to meet emissions targets would be coming in a few months, but would not be ready in time for the COP26 conference in Scotland.

China: China recently committed to a target of reaching net zero by 2060 as President Xi Jinping faces global pressure to curb emissions.

In August, China’s President Xi Jinping said his country will aim for its emissions to reach their highest point before 2030, with the target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
China’s climate change envoy said the country will soon complete reduction plans in line with the 2060 goal, which are set to be announced during the COP26 conference in Scotland.

South Korea: South Korea is upping its emissions reductions pledges in its step towards reaching net zero by 2050.

In May, South Korea President Moon Jae-in announced the country would raise its emissions reduction goal, to be unveiled at the COP26 conference in Scotland.
South Korea has already set a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, pledging to reduce emissions by 37% by 2030, end funding of overseas coal plants, and introduce a carbon tax.

Japan: Japan is taking steps towards reaching its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

In line with their commitment to reach net zero by 2050, Japan has a goal of 46% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with Prime Minister Suga saying the country will aim to reach 50% by this date.
Japan’s 2021 energy plan involves increasing renewable energy generation to around 36-38%, aiming for around 60% of its energy to come from non-fossil fuel sources.
The Japan Climate Initiative, a group of more than 670 Japanese firms, municipalities and organizations, will give a presentation on their plans for tackling climate change at the COP26 summit.

Indonesia: Indonesia plans to reach net zero by 2060 or sooner.

In July, Indonesia submitted plans to the United Nations to reach net zero by 2060 or earlier, a decade earlier than its previous 2070 target.
- To reach its net zero goal, the country aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 41% by 2030, the government plans to stop using coal, oil and gas by 2060, and to source 85% of its energy needs from renewable and nuclear sources.
In advance of COP26, in September Indonesia was one of seven nations to join the US and the EU in signing onto a pact to cut methane emissions.

Australia: Australia is expected to announce its commitment to net zero by 2050 in advance of the COP26 conference and a general election next May.

Australia is alone among developed nations without net zero targets. Australia’s states and territories have all set net zero commitments, and the federal government has said it is in the final stages of developing a net zero commitment.
There are growing signs that Prime Minister Scott Morrison will commit the country to a target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 in advance of the COP26 conference, with the country’s parliamentary elections next May also driving momentum for the Prime Minister to commit to a net zero target.

Russia: Russia, one of the world’s largest producers of oil and gas, recently set goals of reaching net zero by 2060, marking a huge departure from President Putin’s previous stance on climate change.

In October, Russia President Vladimir Putin announced goals to bring the country to carbon neutrality no later than 2060.
Earlier this summer, Putin signed a climate law creating a framework for green projects and carbon trading.
Russia is also considering a plan to cut net carbon emissions by 79% from 2019 levels by 2050, which ministers may change before the COP26 conference in Scotland.
Putin’s announcement marks a significant departure from his previous stance on man-made climate change, and signals momentum for climate action heading into COP26.

UAE: UAE is the first of the world’s major oil-dominated economies to set a goal of reaching net zero by 2050.

This summer, the UAE announced a net zero by 2050 target, the first among the Persian Gulf’s petrostates.
The emissions reduction target is coupled with investments of almost $165 billion in clean energy by 2050.

Germany: As Merkel’s reign as Chancellor comes to a close, Germany has adopted plans to reach net zero by 2045 – a leader so far among developed nations.

In May, Germany adopted revised emissions targets to reach net zero by 2045, five years earlier than previously planned.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Cabinet approved a roadmap for reaching the net zero target, which includes a 65% emissions reduction by 2030, through investments in expanding renewable energy and tougher financial penalties for polluters.
The September election to replace outgoing Chancellor Merkel was dominated by climate change, with parties offering competing proposals on how to tackle the climate crisis following deadly flooding in July.
- Climate is said to be the “kingmaker” among the four major political parties looking to form a coalition government that will take power in December.

France: One of the handful of nations who has signed their net zero targets into law, France is taking steps to reach their net zero by 2050 pledge.

France’s ‘National Low-Carbon Strategy,’ published in March, outlines their plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
- This includes making energy production carbon-free, cutting energy consumption in half through energy efficiency measures, and increasing carbon sinks such as soils and forests.
France is one of a handful of countries to have passed their net zero targets into law, having signed legislation in 2019.

Norway: Norway’s climate change targets are among the world’s most ambitious, with a goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.

Norway aims to reduce emissions by.at least 50% by 2030, compared to 1990-levels, and net zero emissions by 2030.
In July, Norway committed to increasing financial support to developing countries’ efforts to build climate resilience, more than doubling their contribution to the Green Climate Fund.