The world is heating up due to global warming from emissions being released from fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas that are used by human beings. Extreme weather conditions including forest fires and heatwaves are on the increase and the past decade has been reported as being the warmest yet.
Governments across 200 countries agree something needs to be done and collective action needs to take place. Sir David Attenborough addressed delegates at COP26 with an opening speech stating that humanity is “already in trouble [and] we need to act quickly”.
COP26
The UK hosted the COP26 summit in Glasgow this year which finished last week. COP stands for “Conference of the Parties”, and this was the 26th annual summit. The aim was to collate the 200 countries plans to cut emissions by 2030 with the final goal to reach net zero by 2050. India have outlined their plan to reach net zero by 2070 whilst China have stated theirs will be no later than 2060.
Following COP26, an agreement is set out, although not legally binding, it sets out the global agenda for climate change for the next decade. Pledges from world leaders include:
Deforestation
Via photosynthesis, plants and trees can remove large amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂), one of the main greenhouse gases adding to global warming. In addition, trees are able to regulate the movement of water, enabling the control of flooding within some areas. Therefore, when these sources are chopped down, there is less opportunity for photosynthesis to occur. Leading to a build-up of CO₂ within our air and an increase in potential flooding.
Over 100 nations, representing about 85% of the world’s forests, have agreed to halt, reverse, and end deforestation by 2030. The UK government stated without protecting the “lungs of our planet” and stopping the “devastating” loss of forests, the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C is unachievable. Mr Johnson stated, “Let’s end this great chainsaw massacre by making conservation do what we know it can do”. The agreement includes £8.75 billion to public funding and investing a further £5.3 billion into the private sector.
Methane emissions
Methane is a powerful but short lived greenhouse gas which is responsible for a third of all human related global warming. It is 80 times more warming than CO2 and comes from a range of activities for instance waste disposal and livestock farming.
The global methane pledge was led by the US an EU. President Joe Biden stated: “One of the most important things we can do between now and 2030, to keep 1.5C in reach, is reduce our methane emissions as soon as possible.” It was agreed up on by more than 30 countries, including half of the world’s top 30 methane emitters, including Indonesia, Pakistan, Argentina, Mexico, Nigeria, Iraq, Vietnam, and Canada to cut their emission use by at least 30% by 2030.
Fossil fuels
Coal, oil, and natural gas are all considered fossil fuels due them being formed from fossilised remains of plants and animals. 80% of the world’s energy is provided by these which equates to 89% of CO₂ emissions produced by humans. Out of this coal is responsible for 46% and was used to produce 37% of world’s electricity in 2019. Therefore, making it the single biggest contributor to anthropogenic climate change.
Subsequent to COP26, more than 40 countries agreed to phase out the use of coal including 5 of the top 20 users, Chile, Vietnam, Poland, Ukraine, and Indonesia.
How Lindström work towards the targets
First established in 1848, Lindström have practiced and promoted, sustainable ways of working for decades. Having creating a well-developed strategy we continue to make positive developments. We’ve long practiced good corporate social responsibility with regard to the environment, our employees and also our customers’ own sustainability aspirations by us offering them sustainable products and services.
Sustainability is one of our company’s values and our business model is built on a circular economy model in its purest form. It is an alternative to disposable items, or owning textiles, and washing them at home. We extend the life cycle, by designing textiles for specific purposes, enabling them to be used for as long as possible. From every detail like buttons and zips we ensure they are durable, hygienically washable, and efficiently repairable. Once used they are brought back to us, washed economically, or recycled into new products.