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Sustainable development

COP26 Emissions Reach Record High, Outpacing Expectations

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The UK government's COP26 report reveals the most polluting conference in history, with total residual emissions totalling 131,556 tonnes of CO2e, a staggering 157% higher than COP21 and 204% higher than COP25. Delegates' travel alone accounted for 103,955 tonnes of CO2e, or approximately 2.7 tonnes per person, out of the total emissions, leaving many questioning the UK government's commitment to sustainable practices.

Key Takeaways:

  • COP26 was the most polluting event of its kind, generating 131,556 tonnes of CO2e in residual emissions, exceeding forecasts by 30%.
  • Delegates' travel accounted for 79% of emissions, or 103,955 tonnes of CO2e, with each delegate averaging 2.7 tonnes of CO2e.
  • The event saw 118 business jets, including some that flew to Glasgow Prestwick Airport to park, contributing to the increased emissions.
  • A major carbon offset strategy was pursued, with the government purchasing 136,720 tonnes of CO2e equivalent of offsets across various projects worldwide.
  • Environmental groups have condemned the use of carbon offsets, arguing it is fundamentally flawed and worsens the climate emergency in the long run.
  • The UK government purchased 40% of its offsets through ClimateCare Limited, a company based in the offshore tax haven of Jersey.
  • Dr Richard Dixon, former director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, called for serious lessons to be learned from the carbon excesses of COP26.
  • The event also saw a significant environmental impact from sailing a cruise ship up the River Clyde, generating approximately 7,350 tonnes of CO2e of emissions.
  • Despite vows to effectively manage waste, only 53% of waste in the blue zone was recycled, with nearly 61 tonnes of waste left either landfilled or incinerated.

Statistics:

  • Total emissions: 131,556 tonnes of CO2e
  • Delegates' travel emissions: 103,955 tonnes of CO2e (79% of total emissions)
  • Average CO2e per delegate: 2.7 tonnes
  • Tonnes of CO2e from business jet travel: unknown (mentioned as "118 business jets")
  • Tonnes of CO2e offset through ClimateCare Limited: 58,839
  • Amount spent on carbon offsets: unknown
  • Yearly CO2e emissions per average person in the UK: around 7 tonnes
  • Tonnes of CO2e from cruise ship emissions: 7,350
  • Percentage of waste recycled in the blue zone: 53%
  • Tonnes of waste left unrecycled or landfilled: nearly 61

Sources:

  • [1] A sustainability report produced for the UK government (no publication date)
  • [2] Arup's report on the sustainability of COP26 (no publication date)
  • [3] Friends of the Earth Scotland (no specific date mentioned)
  • [4] REDD Monitor (no specific date mentioned)
  • [5] Scotland on Sunday (no specific date mentioned)
  • [6] Scotsman.com (2021 and 2022 articles)

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