by Ben Wilson

It’s easy to forgive anyone who feels that COP26 ended not with a bang, but a whimper. More than two years of buildup to the conference, heralded as the last chance to avert a climate catastrophe, prompted headlines which were dominated by rather technical and uninspiring outcomes. The culmination of all the momentum poured into the event was a mixed picture, with caveats, grey areas – and the ubiquitous ‘Good COP / Bad COP’ headlines that are synonymous with this annual gathering. Like every year, one common thread can be drawn through the picture. The powerful countries responsible for the crisis dominated, and the poorer countries were forced to accept marginal gains for fear that the entire process could lose its legitimacy.

We can only understand the outcomes of COP when we understand the politics that frame the discussions, and when we understand that, it’s clear to see once again that the countries responsible for this crisis are doing all they can to shirk their responsibilities to clean up their mess.