The following is from a summary by The Economist magazine on what has transpired at the COP26 meeting on climate change in Scotland.
There were mixed commitments to phasing out coal power for good. Several of the most important countries did not take the pledge, notably China and the US.
A report by scientists said emissions from fossil fuels had falled 5.4% during the pandemic, but were expected to bounce back by 4.9% this year.
Financial institutions undertook to lowering the missions associated with their portfolios and loan books to net zero by 2050, but the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero was criticized as too weak.
America and the EU announced a global methane pledge to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030. However, neither Russia nor China, two of the biggest emitters, signed up.
More than 100 world leaders pledged to end deforestation by 2030. Signers included important forested countries, including Brazil, Canada, and Russia. Critics pointed out that earlier, similar pledges have had little success in curbing deforestation.