Madrid wrapped up with a bit of a whimper – a comprise deal in which countries will put their new climate pledges for 2030 in the open before Glasgow next year. The higher ambitions that were generally welcomed by an alliance of small island states, European, African and Latin American countries, and were passed despite opposition from some developing nations, China and the US. However, the difficult issues, such as carbon markets, were delayed.

These greater ambitions are required in order to meet the Paris Agreement, but the lack of solid commitment was a disappointment to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and many of the participants.

Greenpeace Spain executive director, Mario Rodríguez Vargas, said: “The outcome of this COP leaves too much work to be done, when we need real leadership now. Political action in Spain and in the whole of Europe must take the fight against climate change the number one priority which answers social interests, not those of the industrial oligopolies. Spain did a good job organising COP25, and now that the European Council has agreed to ask the European Commission to put forward new, more ambitious targets for 2030 in time for COP26.”

However, the mere fact that some progress has been made, and that the discussion is at least ongoing will keep some happy.

Share Story: