Intelligence Squared

COP26: Success or Failure for the World?

Nov 28, 2021

Caroline Lucas, former leader of the Green Party, Bim Afolami, Conservative MP and renewable energy advocate, climate activist Clover Hogan, and Adair Turner, chair of the Energy Transitions Commission, debate the outcomes of COP26. They discuss whether the agreements made can genuinely tackle the climate crisis or if they fall short due to powerful nations like India and China diluting pledges. The conversation highlights the importance of youth activism, corporate responsibility, and the need for equitable support to vulnerable nations in the climate fight.

01:00:42

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Intro

2min

COP26 Outcomes: Progress and Challenges

8min

Reflections on Youth and Climate Activism at COP26

5min

COP26 Outcomes: Commitments and Challenges

17min

Navigating Climate Action: The Role of Business and Individuals

13min

Accountability and Trade: Navigating Climate Promises

3min

Youth Activism and Climate Dynamics

11min

What now for the world? Governments have reached a climate deal which gets us closer to holding temperatures rises to 1.5C. But a last-ditch effort from India and China to water down pledges to phase out coal has led some to consider COP26 a failure. Yes, COP26 could have achieved more but is this agreement one that could potentially be seen as a strong foundation on which the world can build for the future?

To debate the motion we heard from Bim Afolami, MP for Hitchin and Harpenden and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Renewable and Sustainable Energy; Clover Hogan, climate activist, researcher on eco-anxiety and the founding Executive Director of Force of Nature; Caroline Lucas, former leader of the Green Party and MP for Brighton Pavilion; and Adair Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission.

Chair for this week's debate was Helen Czerski, one of the UK’s most popular science presenters.

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