COP26 report ranks Australia 54th among 60 countries in framing climate change policies

In a major embarrassment for the Australian government, the UN Climate Summit on Tuesday released a report in which it has awarded 54th position out of 60 to Canberra, reported The Guardian. The crown has been conferred to Australia by COP26 for its poor policy in dealing with climate change. According to the report released in Glasgow, the Australian government has maintained a poor policy in terms of dealing with carbon. It also maintained its position in the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions and weak targets to tackle the deadly situation,cited the report.

Australian Climate Policy failed to meet future challenges 

Notably, the report pointed fingers at the recent announcement of Australia’s resources minister, Keith Pitt. On the sidelines of the Cop26 talks, the minister said that the country would continue to produce "as much coal as other countries will buy", reported The Guardian. Also, he refused to sign a pledge to cut the emission of greenhouse gases. Despite repetitive global pressure, the minister promoted the use of coal and other fossil fuels that account for a major source of carbon emission. He also dismissed the media reports in which it was reported that the country would improve its 2030 targets.

However, as a relief to the climate, the minister at least announced that Australia would promote a renewable source of energy.  According to The Guardian, Countries are given one of five ratings from "very high" to "very poor". It is worth mentioning that none of the countries was given a "very high" rating as none has done enough to prevent climate change".Meanwhile, the report noted Denmark, then Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom and Morocco are the top-performing countries. The bottom five are Kazakhstan, followed by Saudi Arabia, Iran, Canada and Taiwan, said the report. 

Australia is one of the world's worst greenhouse gas emitters per capita

It should be mentioned here that Morrison has been accused of embracing Labor's 2019 election promise of net zero emissions by 2050. In Australia, which is one of the world's major exporters of coal and liquefied natural gas, reducing emissions is a contentious issue. Because of its strong reliance on coal-fired power, the country is also one of the world's worst greenhouse gas emitters per capita. The Nationals, who are based in rural areas, have traditionally championed farmers' concerns, but they are increasingly being perceived as supporters of the fossil fuel industry. 

Despite many countries setting considerably more ambitious targets, Australia has not budged from its 2015 vow at a Paris climate summit for 2030. The COP26 summit in Glasgow will examine progress since nations committed in Paris to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. The Glasgow meeting is largely seen as the last chance to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. 

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