At COP26, countries agreed to a range of initiatives to scale up international cooperation and urgently accelerate the practical action needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The following are just some of the initiatives Australia joined at COP26. International collaboration is one of the key pillars of global efforts to address climate change. Australia is committed to working with our partners to deliver the low emissions technologies and solutions that will make net zero achievable for all.
The Glasgow Breakthroughs
The UK-led Glasgow breakthroughs are global goals that aim to make clean technologies and sustainable solutions the most affordable, accessible and attractive option in each emitting sector globally before 2030. The Glasgow Breakthroughs initially focuses on 4 key sectors with a specific breakthrough goal articulated for each. Australia signed up to all 4 goals:
- Power: Clean power is the most affordable and reliable option for all countries to meet their power needs efficiently by 2030.
- Road transport: Zero emission vehicles are the new normal and accessible, affordable, and sustainable in all regions by 2030.
- Steel: Near-zero emission steel is the preferred choice in global markets, with efficient use and near-zero emission steel production established and growing in every region by 2030.
- Hydrogen: Affordable renewable and low carbon hydrogen is globally available by 2030.
These goals align closely with Australia's approach to advancing the uptake and deployment of low emissions technologies.
One Sun One World One Grid
The Green Grids Initiative, One Sun One World One Grid, was launched at the World Leaders' Summit of COP26 on 2 November by the UK and India. The initiative aims to create an interconnected and global green energy grid. In doing so, it will create a global ecosystem of interconnected renewables that are shared for mutual benefit and global sustainability.
Australia agreed to join the initiative, and will be on the steering committee along with the UK, India, USA and France.
Clydebank Declaration
Australia also signed the Clydebank Declaration, which aims to accelerate global action towards clean international shipping. Signatories of the Declaration agreed to support the establishment of at least 6 green shipping corridors by the middle of this decade. These corridors will create zero-emission shipping routes between global seaports.
Equal by 30
Equal by 30 aims to put gender equality at the heart of the global transition to a clean energy future. As a signatory to the initiative, Australia has committed to work towards equal pay, equal leadership and equal opportunities for women in the clean energy sector by 2030.
Equal by 30 asks organisations, companies and governments to endorse principles, then take concrete action to accelerate the participation of women in the clean energy sector, and close the gender gap.
Net Zero Industries Mission under Mission Innovation 2.0
Mission Innovation is a global initiative catalysing a decade of action and investment in research, development and demonstration to make clean energy affordable, attractive and accessible for all. The initiative aims to accelerate progress towards the Paris Agreement goals and pathways to net zero. Australia has been a member of Mission Innovation since its inception in 2015.
At COP26, 22 governments and the European Commission committed to 4 new 'missions'.
One of these was the Net Zero Industries Mission, which Australia will co-lead with Austria. The mission aims to help put industrial sectors on a pathway to net zero emissions by 2050.
Australia also co-leads the Clean Hydrogen Mission, is a core member of the Green Powered Future Mission, and observer to the Carbon Dioxide Removal Mission.
Other declarations and official statements
Australia also signed onto a range of official declarations and statements at COP26.
Australia's Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley, co-signed a statement with international science advisers. The statement reinforces the need to address climate change, and emphasises that science and innovation will play a continuing and essential role in our future.
Australia also provided our support for a Super-efficient Equipment Appliance Deployment (SEAD) Initiative Joint Statement and for an Action Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT). Australia is already participating in these initiatives.
