tay whelan

Cop26: A Promise Or A Plan?

From the 31^st October to the 12^th November 2021, the UN held a climate change conference in Glasgow, where world leaders, renowned politicians, and other important people gathered to finally discuss the lasting effects of global warming, and how to make a difference in order to save the earth. It is also important to note that both Biden and Obama took very well to the tartan and kilts culture shock.

Ultimately, COP26 was a push towards putting the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change into action, and making it more than just an agreement. With this being the 26^th annual summit, it is arguable that it has taken nearly three decades for climate change to become a global priority, and yet the results are still underwhelming. All countries agreed the Glasgow Climate Pact to keep 1.5C alive, and finalised the Paris agreement, which made it specifically recognised by the UN, but all other issues seemed to revert back to these policies, and disregarded the urgency required.

A future we can afford?

The overall goal is zero emissions by 2050, but with the weak targets announced for 2030, it doesn’t look promising. The major downfall, though, is that there seemed to be a trend with the major emitters’ having minor goals, which includes Australia, China, Brazil and others. COP26 presented an optimistic resolution to this, through the motion of strengthening previous proposals, and ensuring that they create a promising pathway towards zero emissions within good time.

On another note, a problem that was deemed predominant within the conference, was the lack of education on climate change, which lead to the youth being unaware of the destructive impacts of global warming, many of which will be most impacting on their generations. COP26 lead to a universal agreement for an ‘Action for Climate Empowerment and Youth’, which includes a new ten-year plan focused on ensuring that climate education is integrated into the curriculum. This was also a step forward in recognising that the youth are critical agents of change, and will be the cog that ensures climate change continues to be effectively combatted.

Prior to COP26, it was evident that change is definitely happening, but the worry is that this change is happening too slowly, which is why so much is happening all at once. The UK released 40% less emissions in 2020 than in 1990, but as the world faces a hotter planet, rising sea levels and extreme weather, it’s not just us we have to worry about. And if you’re not worried about us, worry about the animals. Or David Attenborough.

Plans set in stone

The promises of a better future dedicated to saving the earth have appeared to be set in quick sand rather than stone in recent years, with many resolutions not being completely followed by the agreeing nations. Alas, in this year’s climate change conference, the Net Zero plan was clearly distinguished. This plan offers an extra £625m for tree-planting and peat restoration, £140m to two clusters promoting carbon capture and storage to produce hydrogen, and an extra £500m fund for low-carbon revolution. India pledges they will also reach net zero emissions by 2070, and the United Nations have set up a Net Zero Coalition to help reach this universal goal.

This plan offers an extra £625m for tree-planting and peat restoration, £140m to two clusters promoting carbon capture and storage to produce hydrogen, and an extra £500m fund for low-carbon revolution. India pledges they will also reach net zero emissions by 2070, and the United Nations have set up a Net Zero Coalition to help reach this universal goal.

Alongside this, 46 countries also signed onto a Global Coal to Clean Energy Transition Statement, committing to moving away from unabated coal power generation by 2030 for the major economies, and globally by roughly 2040. Again, no fixed deadlines, but at least we get a boundary for the time limits.

Working hard or hardly working?

Is it safe to say that COP26 erupted a global sprint towards a green finish line? No, however, at least there is a regard for the importance of environmental policies and the impact that the unity of nations has on making real change.

It is safe to say, though, that climate change is finally receiving a fraction of the acknowledgment it deserved from the start, and any strive for change, whether it be big or small, will make a difference.

Go green or go…zero?

Net zero: The UK’s forthcoming plans

As many people are aware, climate change is a big deal right now, with life-changing consequences to global warming just around the corner. You don’t have to be a Greta Thunberg to understand what this means for humans in general, as it is being talked about on every platform, and rightly so, as it is an issue that must be dealt with as quickly as possible.

On the 19th October 2021, the UK set out plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions through Ministers investing £620m in grants for electric vehicles and street charging points. The sole aim was for all cars to be electric by 2030, and manufacturers would no longer be producing petrol or diesel cars. The question: how will this be pursued?

The law: how it encourages a zero-carbon economy

It will be mandate for car manufacturers to sell a proportion of clean vehicles each year, in order to slowly introduce the influx of electric cars. Over time, this proportion will gradually increase and it will eventually be mandate for car manufacturers to only sell clean vehicles.

Homeowners will also be able to apply for grants of up to £5,000 to install low-carbon heat pumps to replace gas boilers. Although, there has been a bit of uproar about the Conservative parties promises, as the opposition argued that the plans fall short on delivery (basically, they think it’s a fib!). The only way to find out is wait and see.

So, what are the plans for the future?

Change is definitely happening, and you can note that from the stats, but the worry is that change is happening too slowly, which is why so much is happening all at once. The UK did release 40% less emissions than in 1990, but as the world faces a hotter planet, rising sea levels and extreme weather, it’s not just us we have to worry about. And if you’re not worried about us, worry about the animals. Or David Attenborough.

Greenhouse gas elimination is the target, and a net-zero world is craved for 2050. But right now, Britain alone emits just over 500 mega tonnes of greenhouse gases; being CO2 or equivalent. In order to achieve a green world, we need a plan. Luckily, the UK seems to have one: The Net Zero Plan.

Conclusion

Individuals, including you and me, can do our bit by monitoring and lowering our carbon footprint. We can do this by consuming local and seasonal products, limiting meat consumption, avoid waste when buying product, and reusing / recycling!

Even if it doesn’t seem it: Every Little Counts.

UK’s planned asylum overhaul would break international law: UNHCR

The UN’s refugee agency is furious about the UK’s planned asylum overhaul, with good reason. Priti Patel’s anti-illegal immigration pitch, ‘Nationality and Borders Bill’ arguably breaks international law, and will create an ‘unfair two-tier system’ as it will

penalise refugees seeking asylum in the UK, and award them with unjust penalties. In other terms, it will become illegal for an asylum seeker to seek refuge in the UK without permission.

The bill surrounds concern that asylum-seekers should seek sanctuary in the “first safe country” they arrive in – however the UNHCR have stated that this is not a requirement under international law, and the principle was not in the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Additionally, those who have been deemed to have entered the UK illegally could face a four year imprisonment, regardless of the context of what brought them here. Charities, rights groups and opposition MPs are also upset about this proposal, as it stigmatises those seeking asylum as ‘unworthy’ of holding UK citizenship.

The bill not only seeks to ‘rapidly remove’ those seeking asylum, but also aims to offer refugees only ‘temporary’ protection with limited rights. The aim of this bill is to deter illegal immigrants, however, Rossella Pagliuchi-Lor, UNHCR’s UK representative stated that there is no evidence that it would.

It is conceivable that this bill will not deter illegal immigrants, as immigration is a world-wide concept of which governments have been grappling with for decades, instead, it will merely erupt a discontent for refugees and asylum seekers and create a further lack of understanding.

Networking

Networking…how to? So you’re a first year law student (same!) with absolutely no idea how to network? Trust me…it took days and nights of research for me to figure out how to connect and network correctly. It’s like swimming through an ocean full of sharks when you’re a goldfish: scared and clueless. To put it lightly. However, networking is your best friend, and so is LinkedIn.

Linkedin – start by developing your profile. just like you would for a job application or CV. Include all of your personal qualifications, education, courses enrolled, skills, work experience and volunteer work! And more! Whether you’re open for work or just browsing, and the most important part, a good solid insight on who you are as a person – what your passions are, where they came from, how you’ve developed them, what your aspirations are. Basically, anything that you think depicts what kind of human you are. Then, when all of that is completed, you can start to boast! Make posts on your accomplishments, aspirations, endeavours, anything that makes you…you! As well as anything that would impress your following. Updating people will strengthen your connections and make you stand out as a student and eventually as a graduate.

Societies – Your university should have one! First, make sure to become a member of your University society and become a follower of theirs on social media, as this is where you find out about how you can become directly involved and play a role. Engaging in a society makes you an attractive candidate, but also exposes you to a mass amount of opportunities such as mooting and mock trials! If your university doesn’t have one, then set one up and become the President…even better! Or research your regional society, for example, mine is Birmingham Trainee Solicitors Society. Not only should you get involved in Law societies, but also societies that peak your general interest, such as women’s societies and likewise.

Pro Bono – another bestie! A pro bono clinic allows you to gain hands on legal experience, as well as networking with clients and professionals. Legal pro bono clinics are unpaid opportunities for students to deal with real cases and allows them to offer legal advice to clients, free of charge. Again, your university should have one, if not, enquire about it and create one. You’ll need to register it with a recognised body, and then you can get started.

That’s all for today’s post…stay tuned for part 2!

Tay