Panama will present its progress against climate change at COP26

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Panama will present its strategic advances for the containment of the effects of climate change, as well as the adaptation programs achieved, at the next summit on climate change (Conference of the Parties No 26 -COP26-), to be held in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, from November 1 to 12, advised the Minister of Environment, Milciades Concepción.

He highlighted that during the COP26, the country would show concrete results of its actions, in relation to the Paris Agreement, pointing out that the government has managed to modify its energy platform through a plan that the Secretariat of Energy is advancing; the Panama Canal has proposed a green route, which has an impact on international navigation.

Read also: Check out our coverage on Panama

Emission inventories are also being prepared, the implementation of emission containment and adaptation programs, and measures for development cooperation.

“Panama has the challenge of combating climate change by showing its position of strengthening efforts to work transparently and promote initiatives that incorporate the private sector in climate finance issues,” said Concepción, after presenting to the COP26 regional ambassador for Latin America, Fiona Clouder, and the ambassador of Great Britain in Panama, Timothy Stew, the country’s strategies to combat climate change, in a courtesy visit and exchange, before the summit.

Both representatives of the British crown showed great interest in the projects and initiatives that Panama is carrying out to comply with the global agreements to which the country is a party.

Clouder, for her part, expressed the interest of COP26 in stimulating nationally determined contributions in the countries to reduce carbon emissions, increase resilience with a focus on adaptation and support climate finance in the region.

She also assured that the negotiations that will take place during the COP26 period must be carried out transparently and equitably to meet the goals proposed in the sessions of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

COP26, convened by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), brings together 196 countries, plus the European Union, and aims to reverse the upward trend in the average global temperature and will be an opportunity to establish more demanding goals to put an end to the use and expansion of fossil fuels (oil derivatives).

The Glasgow Summit has on the plan to review commitments towards 2030. By then, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by at least 40%, according to the Paris Agreement. During the summit, it is also expected that the Green Climate Fund programs can be boosted.

For its participation in the COP26, the Panama government is currently preparing an inter-institutional technical delegation formed by officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Environment, Agricultural Development; in addition, the Ombudsman’s Office, Energy Secretariat, Panama Canal Authority, and among the NGOs, the Natura Foundation; also, a representation of the youth will be present at this international meeting, as well as indigenous people.