Nov 3, 2021 - Energy & Climate

A revival of the High Ambition Coalition

Andrew Freedman

Frank Bainimarama, prime minister of Fiji, a member of the High Ambition Coalition, at COP26 on Nov. 2, 2021. Photo: UNFCCC

With world leaders now departed, the real negotiating begins. And signs point to a revival of the High Ambition Coalition, a key bloc of countries that fought for the inclusion of the 1.5°C temperature target in Paris.

Driving the news: The U.S. formally rejoined the coalition Tuesday, which contains a mix of European, small island and other climate-vulnerable nations. The coalition issued a leaders' statement showing what a formal Glasgow outcome could look like.

Between the lines: The statement is noteworthy for calling for a "halt" in investment in "new unabated coal-fired power plants" as well as a "phase out" of existing plants over time.

It also calls for countries to review their emissions targets next in 2023, rather than 2025.

The intrigue: The statement addresses what has been the third rail of climate negotiations, known as "loss and damage," which would involve developed countries compensating developing nations for climate change impacts their emissions helped to cause.

It states that signatories "recognize the need to increase resources for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage."
The U.S. has resisted detailed discussions of loss and damage at past climate negotiations.

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A revival of the High Ambition Coalition

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