Where Do We Stand on COP26 Climate Promises? A Progress Report

This report by the World Resources Institute evaluates the progress made one year after the COP26 summit in Glasgow. It tracks commitments across national emissions targets, renewable energy, climate finance, net-zero goals, the financial sector, methane reduction, deforestation, urban emissions, and electric vehicles, noting that progress is mixed and often hindered by geopolitical tensions and economic crises.

• Progress on national emissions-reduction targets is varied; while 24 of 194 Paris Agreement parties updated their NDCs, results differ by country. Australia increased its 2030 emissions cut target to 43%, and the UK set a target of 68% below 2010 levels by 2030, though some UK policies are under review. Conversely, Brazil's revised plan did not strengthen cuts compared to its 2016 submission.
• Renewable energy capacity grew to 295 GW in 2021, but energy security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine led some European countries to temporarily reopen or extend coal-fired power plants and increase natural gas imports. Additionally, global fossil fuel subsidies nearly doubled in 2021.
• Developed nations have failed to meet the $100 billion annual climate finance goal, remaining $17 billion short in 2020. However, there is progress in locally led adaptation, with 80 organizations now endorsing the "Principles for Locally Led Adaptation," and USAID aiming to direct 50% of its funding to projects where local communities lead.
• Net-zero commitments are expanding, with 74 countries and over 600 companies promising net-zero by mid-century by the end of COP26. Since then, seven more countries, including Indonesia and South Africa, have joined. All G20 countries except Mexico now have a net-zero target.
• The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) grew to over 500 members and issued guidance on transition plans. However, the alliance faces challenges, with two pension funds (Bundespensionskasse AG and CBUS) exiting and some large U.S. banks threatening withdrawal due to legal risks and political attacks on ESG.
• The Global Methane Pledge has expanded to include 19 additional countries, now representing over three-quarters of the global economy. The U.S. and E.U. launched the Global Methane Pledge Energy pathway in June 2022, providing $59 million in funds and assistance to reduce oil and gas sector emissions.
• Efforts to halt deforestation have seen the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration grow to 145 signatories, though India, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa remain absent. The Forests and Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP) is set to launch at COP27 to accelerate implementation.
• While the Cities Race to Zero reached 1,136 member cities by September 2022, actual progress data is lacking; only one-third of cities in the initiative for over a year are reporting progress, and data on actual emissions reductions is missing.

APA

World Resources Institute (2022). Where Do We Stand on COP26 Climate Promises? A Progress Report. https://www.wri.org/insights/cop26-climate-pledges-tracking-progress

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Where Do We Stand on COP26 Climate Promises? A Progress Report. 2022. https://www.wri.org/insights/cop26-climate-pledges-tracking-progress.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Where Do We Stand on COP26 Climate Promises? A Progress Report |date=13 October 2022 |url=https://www.wri.org/insights/cop26-climate-pledges-tracking-progress |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2022where, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Where Do We Stand on COP26 Climate Promises? A Progress Report}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2022}, month = oct, url = {https://www.wri.org/insights/cop26-climate-pledges-tracking-progress}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }