Midweek Climate Focus: Curated Pieces on COP26, An Exxon Exposé, Gas Exporters Cry 'Cancel Culture', & more

Edition #8

Nov 23, 2021

Welcome to the latest edition of Climate Focus.

This is my first post since the ‘make-or-break’ climate summit in Glasgow. It ran overtime, and in the process, became the sixth-longest COP in history (and it is in good company).

There was plenty discussed as the summit dominated the news cycle for a little over two weeks. The general verdict is that global climate agenda progressed on many fronts, but also fell short on many.

I have curated five different post-Glasgow narratives that appeals to different sensibilities. Whether you are looking for a detailed breakdown or a Twitter thread or just seeking inspiration, you will find it here.

I round up this week's edition with a few developments since the COP, including information about the next one. And of course, some climate banter at the end =)

Let’s dive in.

To kick things off, I wrote a short Twitter thread on 5 reasons why I think the COP26 exceeded expectations. (5 is the flavour of the week).

Do give it a read and tell me what you think. Follow me on Twitter if you haven’t yet.

Sricharann Seshadri @Sricharann_S

Now that COP 26 is over, you can expect clever headlines that attempt to pass verdicts on whether the summit was a success or a failure. (I run a climate newsletter and I have fallen victim to this too) Here are 5 reasons why I think it exceeded expectations.

Now that the dust has settled

#1/ In-depth summary

If you are comfortable in the complexity of international climate negotiations, Carbon Brief has you covered. It includes detailed reviews of the grunt of climate negotiations as well as the political showmanship. It also has a dedicated section on governments, fossil fuels, and wordplay.

If you would like to know more about how words magically changed from ‘fossil-fuels and phase-out’ to ‘coal and phase-down’, you can read the behind-the-scenes here (possibly paywalled, but you have a free article allowance).

#2/ Climate Finance Reality

Adam Tooze writes a somber account of what the latest summit told us the ineffectiveness of government funding. It talks about about government incentives for private capital, and the very real possibility of inequitable climate finance.

#3/ Decarbonisation Paradox

This is a fantastic piece by Daniela Gabor and is a great continuation to Tooze. It discusses the missing ambition among central banks to leverage private finance. Read about the pitfalls of voluntary decarbonisation and the paradox between climate commitments and monetary policy inaction.

#4/ Climate Transparency

This is a must-read Twitter thread to understand how far we have come on national reporting on emissions. Governments have historically gamed the system. It is now difficult to do so. It won’t make the front-page, but this is such a huge win for accountability in climate reporting.

#5/ Climate Inspiration

A trailblazing leader of a tiny island nation who is kicking a** and taking names in climate politics. Meet Mia Mottley, the first female Prime Minister of Barbados. I am a fan. Read the piece here, and I have included a video of her opening speech at the summit for you to become fans too.