COP26 Glasgow: Archbishop apologizes for Holocaust settlement

D.he Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has apologized after comparing the Holocaust with the consequences of climate change. “It is never right to make comparisons to the atrocities committed by the Nazis,” wrote the head of the Anglican Church on Twitter on Monday. He was sorry to have offended Jewish people.

Earlier, in an interview with a BBC reporter at the COP26 UN climate summit in Glasgow, Welby warned that the participating heads of state and government would be cursed if they did not take the right measures.

He added that one day such politicians would one day be judged tougher than those who ignored what was going on in Nazi Germany during the 1930s. “It will make a genocide of infinitely greater proportions possible,” continued Welby.

Merkel speaks of a “comprehensive transformation of our lives”

In addition to France’s head of state Emmanuel Macron and US President Joe Biden, the outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel also gave a speech at the climate summit in Glasgow on Monday. At what is likely to be her last conference, Merkel called for action. “We must and we can implement the Paris Agreement.” This should happen in the middle of the 21st century.

She particularly referred to the responsibility of the industrialized countries. Germany has therefore tightened its own climate targets: 65 percent of emissions are to be cut by 2030 and the country is to be climate-neutral by 2045. But financing is also essential for the credibility of the industrialized countries. Germany’s contribution is to be increased to six billion by 2025.

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Climate neutrality is achieved primarily through specific measures. For example, Merkel listed protection against forest loss. In addition, it is important to stop the international financing of coal-fired power plants.

Merkel said: “We will not make progress with government activities alone, but it is about a comprehensive transformation of our life, work and economy.” She therefore advocates pricing CO2 emissions. Nationally, more ambitions are needed, globally, instruments “that are economically sensible” have to be found.

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WELT author Daniel Wetzel does not find it justified to speak of the “last chance” in relation to the climate conference in Glasgow

The two-week COP26 started on Sunday. More than 120 heads of state and government were expected in Glasgow on Monday. With China’s President Xi Jinping and Russia’s head of state Vladimir Putin, however, the heads of state of two major greenhouse gas emitters were missing.

The COP26 runs until November 12th. 197 nations will negotiate the further implementation of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. The agreement provides for global warming to be limited to well below two degrees, ideally 1.5 degrees, compared to the pre-industrial age. Experts and the UN warn, however, that the earth is currently heading for a warming of 2.7 degrees in this century.

The third largest CO2 emitter in the world is now striving to achieve the goal of so-called net zero emissions by 2070, as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced. According to the UN, more than 130 countries have set themselves the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.

According to US President Joe Biden, the fight against climate change should be seen as an opportunity for the global economy. “I believe there is an incredible opportunity in the growing disaster – not just for the United States, but for all of us,” said Biden in his speech on Monday.

The transformation of the economy creates “good and well-paid” jobs, says Biden

Biden rejected criticism that the transformation of the economy towards climate neutrality would cost jobs. On the contrary, it is about job creation: the electrification of traffic, the construction of solar cell and wind turbine networks create “good and well-paid” jobs for workers in the USA, said the president.

On the other hand, sticking to the status quo would result in enormous damage, also of an economic nature, he said, referring to the increase in environmental disasters such as forest fires and droughts. “Every day we hesitate increases the cost of inaction.” The COP26 is of historical importance: “We are at a turning point in world history.”

Macron demands ambition, solidarity and transparency

French President Emmanuel Macron called on countries with particularly high greenhouse gas emissions to adopt more committed climate policies. “The key for the next two weeks is that the largest emitters, whose national plans do not match the 1.5-degree target, set their ambitions higher,” said Macron in Glasgow.

In addition to more ambition, the French head of state demanded solidarity and transparency. Rich countries would have to live up to their responsibilities and make sufficient funds available for climate protection in poorer regions. The implementation of the promises and the use of funds should be transparent. Macron also spoke out in favor of making economic decisions compatible with climate policy. Contracts should reflect climate ambitions.

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