04/11/2021 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday, 4 November, during the UN COP26 conference in Glasgow, International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol stated that if all of the pledges made by countries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are kept—including the recent global pledge to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 (see EUROPE 12824/1)—global warming could be limited to 1.8°C. This would bring the world closer to the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 2 degrees by 2100, while striving for a target of 1.5°C. However, this requires that countries take adequate measures that enable them to keep all of their commitments—a significant condition. While a recent UN report predicted warming of around 2.7°C based on pledges made on 26 October 2021 (see EUROPE 12821/17), certain countries revised their ambitions upwards as part of COP26. (DG)