Flash Points: What COP26 can change—and what it can’t

Plus: The green version of colonialism [Foreign Policy Logo]( [Foreign Policy Flashpoints]( November 05, 2021 | [View in browser]( The U.N. climate change conference, known as COP26, was always going to be a great test for world leaders. To make real progress on climate change, states would have to find ways to bridge divides, turn their attention to the developing world, and make sacrifices in the name of decarbonization. Now a week into the summit, the world is gaining a better sense of what COP26 can achieve and what it can’t. As world leaders continue to debate in Glasgow, Scotland—and climate activist Greta Thunberg declares the summit a “failure”—this collection of stories explores the question: Will COP26 solve anything? —Chloe Hadavas --------------------------------------------------------------- [The Developing World Needs Energy—and Lots of It]( At COP26, leaders must find ways to allow much greater economic growth across large parts of the world. By Jason Bordoff --------------------------------------------------------------- [Present at the Creation of a Climate Alliance—or Climate Conflict]( The United States and Europe are on the brink of decisions that could save the planet—or tear apart the West. By Adam Tooze --------------------------------------------------------------- [Rich Countries’ Climate Policies Are Colonialism in Green]( At COP26, developed-world governments are working to keep the global south poor. By Vijaya Ramachandran --------------------------------------------------------------- [A Green Deal at COP26 Can’t Be a Green Light for China]( The idea that appeasing Beijing can save the planet is a fantasy. By Jacob Helberg --------------------------------------------------------------- [Will COP26 Solve Anything?]( Climate apocalypse still looms while world leaders haggle over haggis in Glasgow. By Emma Ashford and Matthew Kroenig Photo: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images --------------------------------------------------------------- The digital transformation is increasingly shaping everyday life—and the rapid pace of technological innovation is outstripping governments’ ability to regulate it. On November 17, Foreign Policy’s inaugural Tech Forum will convene global thought leaders and practitioners from the private and public sectors to tackle cybersecurity issues, the geopolitics of tech competition, combating misinformation, and more. [Register here](. FOLLOW FP ON This email was sent to {EMAIL} because you are subscribed to FP’s Flashpoints newsletter. Want a friend to receive this newsletter? [Forward it]( now. Want to receive other FP newsletters? [Manage]( your FP newsletter preferences. [unsubscribe]( | [privacy policy]( | [contact us]( | [advertise]( Foreign Policy magazine is a division of Graham Holdings Company. All contents © 2021 The Slate Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Foreign Policy, 1750 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006. [Link](