11 Nov 2021

COP26: James Shaw on pledge's first draft

From Morning Report, 6:08 am on 11 November 2021

The Climate Change Minister doesn't expect world leaders to be happy about the draft agreement at the UN climate summit, but he's optimistic they will rise to meet it.

The seven page document urges nations to revisit and strengthen their 2030 emission targets, and also a total phase-out of coal.

Analysts are reporting Earth remains on track to reach for 2.4 degrees warming above pre-industrial levels, despite leaders' multiple pledges made at Glasgow this year.

James Shaw told Morning Report the draft agreement is a big ask and there may be pushback from some world leaders.

"I suspect that no one's going to be wildly happy about it, just because of the nature of the tensions here."

He said momentum is growing and he's optimistic the goals can be met.