Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United…

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Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference ?

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

COP26 in Glasgow produced the Glasgow Climate Pact, calling for a phase-down of unabated coal and stronger 2030 targets, and completed the Paris Rulebook. India announced the Panchamrit, including 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net zero by 2070.

**Introduction**

COP26, held in Glasgow in November 2021, was the first test of the Paris Agreement's cycle of rising ambition. It produced the Glasgow Climate Pact and India's Panchamrit pledge.

**Major Outcomes of COP26**

1. **Glasgow Climate Pact**: For the first time a COP decision named fossil fuels, calling for a "phase-down" of unabated coal and asking countries to strengthen 2030 targets to keep 1.5°C within reach.
2. **Paris Rulebook completed**: Rules for Article 6 carbon markets and a common transparency format were agreed.
3. **Finance and pledges**: Adaptation finance was to double by 2025, the missed USD 100 billion goal was noted with regret, and over 100 countries joined the Global Methane Pledge, though loss and damage got only a dialogue.

**India's Commitments at COP26**

SKETCH: mindmap | India's Panchamrit at COP26
- 500 GW non-fossil
- 50% energy from renewables
- Cut 1 bn tonnes CO2
- 45% lower carbon intensity
- Net zero by 2070

1. **Panchamrit in practice**: Announced on 1 November 2021 and formalised in the updated NDC of August 2022, it includes a 50% non-fossil share of installed power capacity by 2030, which India crossed in 2025.
2. **LiFE and coalitions**: India proposed Lifestyle for Environment and launched IRIS under CDRI and, with the UK, the Green Grids Initiative-One Sun One World One Grid.
3. **Equity diplomacy**: India secured coal "phase-down" over "phase-out" and sought USD 1 trillion in climate finance, invoking CBDR.

**Way Forward**

1. **Finance and just transition**: The COP29 finance goal must arrive as grants and concessional money, and coal phase-down must come with reskilling in coal belts.

**Conclusion**

COP26 completed the Paris Rulebook but left finance gaps, while India's Panchamrit proved that net zero by 2070 and climate justice can go together.

Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference ?

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