Every Picture Tells a Story: It Takes a Lot of CO2 to Run a Climate Summit

A few highlights:

• 102,500 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents were produced by the conference.
• The 12-day conference used 2.6 tons of CO2 per participant, one-tenth the annual carbon footprint of an American. To be fair, when annualized, those COP (Conference of the Parties) participants used three times as much as we do.

• The British government will purchase carbon credits to offset the excess CO₂. But as the Washington Post reports, how much they pay will not be said, “which goes against the pledge that certification of carbon neutrality be as transparent as possible.”
• Offsets pay for climate improvement programs such as hydropower or improved cookstove fuels in India. Per ton, credits range from $3 for renewable energy projects to $10 for “nature-based solutions.” For the mathematically curious, it is estimated that carbon offsets will cost about $20 per participant, and again per the Washington Post, “Considering that a mediocre hotel in Glasgow was asking $300 or $400 a night, it seems like a steal.”
• Air travel was the primary source of excess CO_2. As reported, Leonardo DiCaprio sacrificed and flew commercial to the conference. Accommodations were the second greatest source of CO₂.
• Organizers said that a portion of the excess CO₂ was due to counting carbon dioxide emissions from the “Green Zone” set up for social and educational events associated with the COP26. You can find a list of what you missed here.

Source: COP26 in Glasgow may have a record carbon footprint, despite low-flush loos and veggie haggis Washington Post