In the run up to the globe's most important meeting on climate change, the #CIWEMtalksCOP26 series asks thought leaders from the water and environmental industry and beyond to answer a common question: what do you most want COP26 to deliver? Here we'll be serialising their answers.

Penelope Borton is Jacobs’ Associate Director of Sustainability, focussing on natural capital. Penny acts as a technical lead on carbon-offsetting studies for large infrastructure providers, who are looking to use nature-based solutions to bridge the gap between decarbonisation and net-zero targets.

"While the U.K. intends to leverage its presidency of COP26 to encourage the uptake of net-zero carbon targets by 2050, I am hoping for ambitious commitments as to how this will be achieved. Decarbonisation needs to remain a key focus in the short-term, but there should be recognition that there may be a gap between the application of decarbonisation efforts and net-zero aspirations. So, the question is: how do we bridge this gap?

"As the first COP since the global pandemic began, there is likely to be a renewed focus on society’s relationship with the natural environment, and the role our natural world can play in helping to reach net zero targets. I would like the potential for habitat restoration and creation opportunities to support in net zero targets to be made more explicit.

"It is also important that the mechanisms for carbon offsetting through nature-based solutions are addressed. I am keen to see the rules on international carbon markets further outlined with more detail.

"However, suitable quality assurance standards are required for nature-based solutions to support the achievement of net-zero targets to the greatest degree. Standards need to be developed and expanded upon, and should cover wider habitat types, beyond woodland and peatland. These standards must be inclusive of blue carbon environments, particularly as they could help alleviate the potential for an imminent “land grab,” fuelled by the need for land to fulfil various environmental functions.

"The focus of COP26 must now be on enabling delivery – with international collaboration that drives effective mechanisms and standards for change.

"I’m looking forward to hearing the outcomes!"

Connect with Penelope

Penelope Borton is Jacobs’ Associate Director of Sustainability, focussing on natural capital.