False solutions prevail over real ambition at COP26

The Center for International Environmental Law argues that COP26 failed to address the root causes of the climate crisis, specifically fossil fuels, and instead relied on 'false solutions' like carbon offsets. The statement highlights the exclusion of civil society and Indigenous Peoples from negotiations, the inadequacy of climate finance for adaptation and loss and damage, and the persistence of 'greenwashing' by corporate interests. While noting some progress in marginal alliances like the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance, the author concludes that the official negotiated outcomes lack the ambition and equity required to keep global warming below 1.5°C.

• COP26 is characterized as failing to implement the immediate actions necessary to prevent climate catastrophe or ensure justice for those most impacted, with political leaders failing to translate their 1.5°C rhetoric into decisions.
• The UK government and UNFCCC Secretariat restricted the participation of civil society and Indigenous Peoples in negotiations, while providing privileged access to fossil fuel industry lobbyists and CEOs.

APA

Recupero, R. (2021). False solutions prevail over real ambition at COP26. Center for International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/false-solutions-prevail-over-real-ambition-at-cop26/

Chicago

Recupero, Rossella. False solutions prevail over real ambition at COP26. Center for International Environmental Law, 2021. https://www.ciel.org/false-solutions-prevail-over-real-ambition-at-cop26/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Recupero |first1=Rossella |title=False solutions prevail over real ambition at COP26 |publisher=Center for International Environmental Law |date=16 December 2021 |url=https://www.ciel.org/false-solutions-prevail-over-real-ambition-at-cop26/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{recupero2021false, author = {Recupero, Rossella}, title = {{False solutions prevail over real ambition at COP26}}, publisher = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2021}, month = dec, url = {https://www.ciel.org/false-solutions-prevail-over-real-ambition-at-cop26/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }