Bertrand Piccard live from COP26: why and how can we get there?

Bertrand Piccard, President of the Solar impulse Foundation, psychiatrist and explorer, author of the first round the world by balloon (1999) and by solar plane (2015-2016), will hold a daily chronicle during this fortnight of the successes and disappointments of this crucial meeting for the future of our planet. An exclusive for La Tribune and the Swiss daily Le Temps.

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We landed last night in Glasgow surrounded by zombies and skeletons. As if it were necessary to reinforce the terrifying atmosphere of Halloween disguises in the foggy and cold streets, the queues for the Covid tests gave me the impression that we were already in the catastrophic world that we are desperately trying to avoid. But talking about the anxiety of the future brings more depression than action.

The good news is that the political leaders have understood the threat to all of us. Oh, at last. The notion of urgency is the singularity of this COP26. Deadlines are approaching. The deadlines referred to at that time (2030, 2050) seemed distant to the rulers who no longer imagined themselves to be in power at such a time horizon. But we are now so affected by natural disasters that politicians are impacted during their mandates. They are now being judged, not only by future generations, but already by their present constituents.

So, what does it mean to act?

In the first COPs, the problems were only discussed, but today the speeches express the will to achieve concrete emission reduction targets. On the other hand, I am not absolutely sure that those who understood the "what"-that is, the objectives to be achieved-really understood the "how". And that's where we risk wasting time.

What's the matter with you? Because many participants wishing to protect their country's interests fear that emission reduction measures may be detrimental to their economies. And they move on their toes when it comes to making binding commitments.

The multitude of cost-effective solutions to protect the environment are proof of this. The message must be clearly hammered: popular pressure, imminent carbon taxes, the disproportionate cost of pollution, but also the financial benefits of energy efficiency and the low price of renewable energy, leave no chance for proponents of the status quo.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made clear to me this afternoon his interest in such solutions, which I believe could enable him to achieve carbon neutrality earlier than in 2070, which he announced in the rostrum. Nicola Sturgeon, Prime Minister of Scotland, is more ambitious with the same goal for 2045. That is why, after 3 years of partnership, I gave him today a selection of 200 solutions, such as a tool box to reconcile ecology and economy. In an encouraging sign, a meeting was also held with the Scottish Minister for Economic Affairs and Finance, who is as interested in COP26 as the Minister for Ecology. Times change...

For this COP to be a success, it must be demonstrated that everyone's interests can converge: industrialists, policymakers, economic actors and environmental activists. Moving from utopian to eco-realistic language will reduce resistance and enable financial targets to be achieved with means that protect the environment, not destroy it.

3 minutes

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