COP26: Scotland's Commitments in International Climate Agreements

This report examines Scotland's commitments to a just transition within the context of the COP26 climate summit and international frameworks. It begins with an overview of COP26, highlighting its significance as a follow-up to the Paris Agreement and the goals set by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The report then focuses on the Scottish government's statements regarding its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, emphasizing the importance of social justice in this transition. It explores the role of the Just Transition Commission in advising the government and outlines specific suggestions made by the commission, including a national call for action to support just transition principles. The report also details the government's commitment to optimizing economic and social opportunities, mitigating risks related to regional cohesion, poverty, and equalities, and fostering a sustainable labor market. Finally, it references key online sources to support the analysis, providing a comprehensive overview of Scotland's approach to climate action and its alignment with international goals.

COP 26: Scotland commitments to a
just transition in context of
international frameworks and
requirements

Contents
COP 26…………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Scotland Government statements on just transition.................................................................................3
References................................................................................................................................................5

COP 26
COP stands for Conference of the Parties and COP26 is the next summit for the UN
climate change conference. This summit will be attended by signatory countries of United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It will be held in Glasgow
from 1 – 12 November 2021 and will be hosted by UK and Italy in partnership. It is touted as
next big thing after COP21 which is also known as Paris Agreement. In COP21, all signatories
agreed to take efforts to keep temperature of Earth well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-
industrial levels and in the meanwhile pursue further efforts to limit the increase in
temperature to only 1.5 degrees Celsius (The Paris Agreement, 2021). In COP26, it is
expected that countries will be elaborating on the steps taken by them as well as will be setting
out more ambitious goals for meeting their contribution to climate change agreement as agreed
(COP26 – Coming together to tackle climate change, 2021).
Scotland Government statements on just transition
COP26 is important as UK government has set out goal of reaching net zero
emissions by 2050 and as part of UK government, Scotland government is also committed to
provide clean energy to its citizens. It has aimed net zero emissions by 2045 and in the words
of Just Transition Commission (JTC), government shall aim to fulfil this objective as a
“national mission with social justice at its heart” (Commission calls for just transition to net
zero to be made a ‘national mission’, 2021). It is an independent commission that has been
set up to advise Scottish Government to help them manage the move fairly with respect to
and in accordance to international frameworks and commitments.
It has provided four suggestions to government which are in direct response to
COP21 and in-line with the agenda of COP26. And, in particular response to or to be in
alignment with agenda of COP26, government has been suggested to launch a national call
for action at COP26 that brings business, civic society and trade unions together in a
commitment to support just transition principles in Scotland. As a response to report of Just
Transition Commission, government of Scotland is committed to take actions that will
optimise the economic and social opportunities that will build Scotland’s existing strengths
and assets so that its economy can move to a net-zero economy by the ambitioned time of
2045 (Just Transition Commission, 2021). Its recommendations are to further fuel,
understand and mitigate risks that are able to arise in accordance and in relation to regional
cohesion, poverty (including fuel poverty), equalities and for a sustainable and inclusive

labour market. Government is committed to work on the advice on the levels of strategy and
statutory targets (such as those for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and poverty) is out
with the remit of the Just Transition Commission and the Commission will take into account
wider policy landscape that is supported by government in agreement and with creating
synergies with existing programmes of work and other bodies.

References
Online
Commission calls for just transition to net zero to be made a ‘national mission’. 2021.
[Online]. Available through:<
https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/article/commission-calls-for-just-transition-to-
net-zero-to-be-made-a-national-mission#:~:text=It%20calls%20for%20ministers
%20to,and%20to%20boost%20local%20democracy.&text=Launch%20a%20national
%20call%20for,just%20transition%20principles%20in%20Scotland.>
COP26 – Coming together to tackle climate change. 2021. [Online]. Available through:<
https://www.nationalgrid.com/responsibility/environment/cop26>
Just Transition Commission. 2021. [Online]. Available through:<
https://www.gov.scot/groups/just-transition-commission/>
The Paris Agreement. 2021. [Online]. Available through:< https://unfccc.int/process-and-
meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement>