Day 10- Climate and Biodiversity: The 1.5°C window.
The 10th day of the COP27 forum, themed Climate and Biodiversity, focused on the 1.5°C window, concerns, and measures to maintain the decisions. The President-Elect for brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, spoke and noted that Brazil is ready to rejoin the climate battle. He emphasised his pledge to protect the Amazon and other notable ways of protecting the climate. Also, the EU and a few other states decided to support Africa with 1 billion euros to tackle climate change.
The highlighted Discussions are:
- G20 leaders agree to keep 1.5ºC warming target ‘within reach.’
The inclusion of the 1.5C global warming objective in the final COP27 language has raised some objections, according to US Special Climate Envoy John Kerry earlier this week. However, the G20 leaders reiterated their dedication to achieving the goal outlined in the Paris Agreement.
“Mindful of our leadership role, we reaffirm our steadfast commitments in pursuit of the objective of UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) to tackle climate change by strengthening the full and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and its temperature goal,” they said in a declaration at the end of meeting in Indonesia on Wednesday.
The statement by the G20, which accounts for almost 75% of global emissions, might support negotiations at the UN climate summit. But instead, the group pleaded with delegates at COP27 to immediately accelerate mitigation and adaptation activities.
- ‘Brazil is back as a climate leader.
At COP27, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil was warmly welcomed. Later that day, he addressed a crowded gathering at the climate summit and declared, “Brazil is ready once again to join the effort to build a better planet.” “The survival of the Amazon also depended on the election. Civilisation and values are back. Respect and human rights are back, “Lula said.
He also pledged to conserve the Amazon, adding that his nation would take the necessary steps to ensure no destruction. Lula emphasised that environmental crimes had increased in a “dangerous way” under the previous administration and said the government would work to penalise unlawful farming, logging, and gold mining practices. The incoming Brazilian president suggested that Brazil host the 2025 UN climate summit.
- Concerns over damaged funds
Some worries developing a loss and damage fund is moving too slowly as COP27 draws close. An agreement on loss and damage will serve as the benchmark for this UN climate conference for some of the most vulnerable countries. Mary Robinson, a former leader of Ireland, expressed her anxiety over the negotiations. Some nations were impeding progress at midnight negotiations amongst Santiago Network members, a UN program that offers technical assistance to countries suffering damages from climate-related natural disasters. “China and Saudi Arabia – and I’m naming names… are trying to block technical assistance for loss and damage going to the most vulnerable countries,” she said.
- EU and four member states to provide more than €1 billion for climate adaptation in Africa
Frans Timmermans, the head of the EU’s climate policy, announced today at COP27 that the organisation and four of its members will contribute more than €1 billion to climate adaptation in Africa. France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark were the four nations. But this was just the beginning, and more people may get involved.
He added that the EU would contribute €60 million for loss and damage, and today the bloc presented proposals to restart delayed talks on the subject.
Day 9: ACE & Civil Society and Energy Day
The ACE & Civil Society and Energy thematic day focused on greater inclusivity of civil society in the fight against climate change. They increased access to clean and affordable energy to Africa to enhance economic growth and development across the continent. The engagement saw the inauguration of initiatives and other deliberations for enhanced climate action.
- Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) is part of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to denote work under Article 6 of the Convention and Article 12 of the Paris Agreement. During the ACE & Civil Society thematic day, COP27 President H.E. Sameh Shoukry noted the critical role of Civil Society and NGOs in the climate action process and the need to adopt a localized approach because climate action required the engagement of institutions and individuals alike. Discussions highlighted the importance of empowering local people with decision-making power to implement the elements of the ACE Framework: climate change education and public awareness, training, public participation, public access to information, and international cooperation. Furthermore, safeguarding society’s human rights in the fight against Climate Change and ensuring the availability of funds and adequate preparation for climate-induced natural disasters should be prioritized in the empowerment in the developing world.
- The COP27 Presidency launched the Africa Just & Affordable Energy Transition Initiative (AJAETI). The initiative seeks to provide affordable and sustainable access to clean and renewable energy to all Africans while serving as an umbrella for existing related initiatives in Africa. This will increase economic growth and employment opportunities and maximize the wealth of untapped African resources that can be used to manufacture renewable energy tools to support global mitigation efforts. AJAETI will collaborate with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to consolidate and facilitate technical and policy support for increased access to affordable energy and clean cooking fuels and technologies for 300Million Africans in line with SDG 7. It will also achieve a 25 per cent increase in renewable electricity generation by 2027 and the renewable-based power sector in Africa by 2063 in line with the “Africa We Want” Agenda. In his presentation, the Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy in Egypt, Dr Mohamed Shaker, stated that with the new model of cooperation, the commitment to universal access by 2030 and the energy demands of Agenda 2063 are assured.
Day 8: Gender and Water day
The Gender and Water thematic day at COP27 focused on improving water security and increasing gender inclusion in climate governance and decision-making. During the event, the sessions featured the launch of initiatives, new partnerships, high-level discussions, deliberations and a call to action towards achieving set goals.
- The Presidency of COP27 launched a new initiative, the Action on Water Adaptation or Resilience (AWARe), in partnership with World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The launched initiative will address water-related challenges by improving water supply and decreasing water losses globally, proposing and supporting policy implementation for water-related adaptation and increasing cooperation between SDG 6 and 13 (Clean water and sanitation and climate change) towards achieving the UN Agenda 2030. The initiative will also promote implementing sanitation strategies and policies and sustainably managing wastewater. At the event, HE Sameh Shoukry, the COP27 President, said: “Increasing water demand from a growing population and variable supply does not make for sound economics. As we work to design and implement solutions across adaptation, water management must feature prominently in the discussions and actions. Water is life and is vital to sustaining lives and livelihoods. Through the AWARe initiative, we are bringing together stakeholders to alleviate the challenges faced by the world’s vulnerable communities and ecosystems.”
- The Gender thematic day event at COP27 sought measures to increase women’s representation in climate governance by providing a platform to drive sound policies that will result in real solutions effectively. During the event, it was highlighted that women and children are 14 times more likely to die during natural disasters and account for 80% of people in need of assistance in such occurrences; this led to the launch of a new initiative, the African Women’s Climate Adaptive Priorities (AWCAP) by the President of the National Council of Women of Egypt, Dr Maya Morsy. In her remark, Dr Morsy said, “Women are not just victims of climate change, they are powerful agents of change, and their leadership is critical. Therefore, a bottom-up approach is significant to understand women in communities, their environmental concerns, realities and experiences.” At the closing ceremony, Nevine Ghazi, an 8-year-old advocate, spoke about the value of providing climate education to children in driving the implementation of the goals of AWCAP.
Day 7- Adaptation and Agriculture Day
The Adaptation and Agriculture thematic day at COP27 focused on how the world will solve the global challenge of food security and put its resources together to feed eight billion people. A Series of sessions were held, and initiatives were explored that shed light on pathways forward on adaptation and climate-resilient agriculture.
The highlighted discussions are:
- The COP27 President launched four key initiatives that address food security, nutrition, decent life, and sustainable peace. The first was the Food Security and Climate Change Initiative, which focused on the impact of climate change on hunger and malnutrition and how climate change adaptation could end hunger and malnutrition. The second was the mitigation initiative on averting, minimizing, and addressing loss and damage to infrastructure, which further discussed the importance of partnerships between businesses and societies to invest in AI and technological early warning systems. The third was the Shaping The Way Forward for Adaptation initiative. In this session, various ministers explored specific measures needed to make progress on adaptation and the development of comprehensive monitoring systems to advance climate change adaptation. Finally, was the Adaptation Innovations and Technologies initiative. This initiative focused on and explored ways governments, businesses and institutions can scale up the technology to support climate change adaptation for the world’s benefit.
- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Egypt’s COP27 President launched the Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation (FAST) at COP27 today. The new initiative is meant to increase climate finance contributions for agriculture and food systems to support the most vulnerable communities. The FAST will focus on three priorities for action: Access to Finance, which will enhance countries’ capacities to identify and increase access to climate finance and investment. Second, Knowledge and Capacity will focus on providing the necessary analyses, developing voluntary guidelines and supporting capacity development. Finally, the Policy Support and Dialogue which will ensure agrifood systems are fully incorporated in climate change policies, such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), National Adaptation Plans (NAP) or Long-term Low Emissions and Development Strategies (LT-LEDs).
Day 6- Decarbonization
Decarbonization was the theme for the 6th day of COP27. The discussions were centred on fossil fuels emission records, methane, women leadership in the global south and the success probability of these discussions.
The highlights of these discussions are:
- According to a study by the Global Carbon Project, fossil fuel emissions will hit a record high in 2022 and are not expected to go down. Although they decreased in 2019 due to COVID, the study involving 100 researchers from 80 institutions predicts that they will rise “slightly above” pre-pandemic levels this year. Fossil fuel combustion will result in emissions of 40.6 billion tonnes in 2022, an increase of 1% from the previous year. The probability that global warming will reach 1.5°C in the next nine years is 50%. The paper states that there were conflicting projections for significant emitters. While emissions are expected to rise in the US and India, they will decline in China and the EU.
- More than 40 grassroots organizations from Asia, Africa, and Latin America have joined forces to urge governments to enhance climate money for regional women’s movements. However, these movements, headquartered in underdeveloped countries and Indigenous communities, are allegedly frequently “invisible” to funding organizations. Furthermore, even when governments provide funds, it often does not go where it is most needed. “Even where funding is reaching Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and local women’s organizations, it tends to be inadequate and short-term,” warns Omaira Bolaños, Director of the Latin America and Gender Justice Programs at the Rights and Resources Initiative.
- President Joe Biden delivered an address at COP27 today after missing the opening of the meeting due to the US midterm elections. In light of the conflict in Ukraine, Obama discussed climate pledges. Additionally, he expressed regret for the US leaving the Paris Agreement and said rejoining was one of his first acts as President. Biden mentioned US promises, such as intentions to “unleash a new era of clean energy and economic growth,” as well as initiatives like the protection of forests and a fund to assist Egypt in making the switch to sustainable energy. “Today I can stand as President of the US and can say with confidence we will meet our emission reduction targets by 2030,” he said.
- Also, President Biden discussed the urgent need to reduce methane emissions. He brought up the Global Methane Pledge, a commitment more than 120 nations made to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. In addition, the UN’s environmental watchdog said it would establish a public database of methane leaks worldwide discovered by satellites in space. Despite having a far shorter half-life in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, this greenhouse gas has a much more significant warming effect. According to scientists, it contributes to about 25% of global warming. The satellite system will detect a global methane leak, and the organization or government responsible will be known. The party responsible will then be informed of the information to discover the leak and fix it.
Day 5- War, Big Oil and Deforestation
The main topics of the debates and announcements focused on youth and science.
At the meeting, protests persisted as demonstrators denounced fossil fuel lobbyists and demanded climate justice. World-renowned researchers shared their most important discoveries from this year’s ground-breaking study.
The highlights of the discussions are:
- This year’s most significant climate insights ranging from the effects on human health to the requirement for paying for loss and damage were revealed by scientists. Policymakers can use these findings to determine what needs to be done to combat climate change. They were organized by Future Earth, The Earth League, World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), and scientists from around the world using the latest research. In line with this discussion, Wendy Broadgate, global hub director (Sweden) for Future Earth, says, “We need an urgent, global and coordinated response to reverse the growth of greenhouse gas emissions to secure a safe and just future for humankind.”
- The dash for gas following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is endangering climate targets was also discussed. According to Climate Action Tracker, countries’ race to source more natural gas following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could put climate goals at risk. Bill Hare, CEO of the research institute Climate Analytics buttressed this, saying, “We’re witnessing a major push for expanded fossil gas (LNG) production and import capacity across the world – in Europe, Africa, North America, Asia and Australia – which could cause global emissions to reach dangerous levels.” The cumulative quantity that can be emitted if global warming exceeds 1.5C is to be prevented; planned natural gas projects might release 10% of the world’s remaining carbon budget. According to the International Energy Agency, no new oil and gas resources should be developed to meet the goal set by the Paris Agreement.
- The Congo Basin rainforest experienced an increment in deforestation by 5% in 2021. According to a report published today, deforestation has increased in the second-largest rainforest in the world. As the rate of deforestation accelerated by 5% in 2021, it is already harming this essential ecosystem’s function in keeping the world calm, according to Climate Focus. The Central African Republic saw a 71% rise in the pace of rainforest destruction, which was the worst-case scenario. Only Congo and Gabon, two of the six Congo Basin nations that agreed to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030, were on track to do so. Dr Marion Ferat warned that if these trends are not handled effectively, the risk of losing the remaining intact forest will be risked.
Day 4 – Putting Adaptation and Resilience at the Centre of COP27
The Emissions Gap Reports 2022 from United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) highlighted the need for more critical solutions to curb climate change.
The COP27 Presidency and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions launched the Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, a shared agenda to mobilize global action around 30 adaptation outcomes required to achieve a resilient world by 2030 to help provide the urgent support needed by billions of people already suffering from the effects of climate breakdown. In addition, the Cool Capital Stack, a $750 million investment pipeline to shield the world from extreme heat, was unveiled by Arsht-Rock at the Resilience Hub.
The highlighted discussions are:
- Regions Adapt on Progress Publication Regions Adapt, a Race to Resilience partner initiative, brings together the top states and territories working on climate change adaptation to promote collaboration, learning, and capacity building. Over 300 million people will be impacted by the effort, which has 70 signatory members.
- The Clean Cooking Alliance and the US EPA will discuss their work with partners to assist national governments in reaching their climate goals through clean cooking and the future stages for this effort. US EPA Administrator Michael Regan will present this at a gathering at the US Center from 17:30 to 18:30.
- With a commitment to help at least 15 million people in vulnerable communities become more resilient to the health effects of climate change by 2030, the multinational biopharmaceutical corporation GSK joins the Race to Resilience through the Water Resilience Coalition. The UN Climate Change High-Level Champions launched their campaign to spur global ambition to create a future where nature and vulnerable communities survive and thrive despite climate shocks and pressures. GSK is the first healthcare business to join.
- New Race to Resilience members signatories: Since 2021, the number of signatories to the Cities Race to Resilience has more than doubled, pledging to take specific, scientifically supported climate action to hasten adaptation and resilience.
Day 3 – Africa Day, Children and youth pavilion and launch of Adaptation agenda
The 27th United Nations Climate Conference (COP27) in Egypt featured the African day on the sidelines with a common resolve to mobilize internal and external resources to tackle climate change. Also, Egypt and Norway signed agreements for a 100MW Green Hydrogen Plant on the Red Sea, the first ever Children and Youth Pavilion in the history of climate conferences opened at COP27. Egypt Signed Partnerships for its Country Platform Nexus of Water-Food-Energy program.
The highlighted discussions are:
- African leaders and youths gathered to discuss pathways to tackle climate change in the continent. The managing director of the IFC, the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets, Makhtar Diop, said, “For the next 20 years, we need about $100 billion of investment in Africa for adaptation”. The African union commission and global Center for adaptation signed a memorandum of understanding to mobilize a minimum of $25 billion for the African Adaptation Acceleration Program established by the African Development Bank to increase climate resilience across the continent.
- The first-ever Children and Youth Pavilion in the history of climate conferences kicked off today at COP27. This awning aims to contribute to further visibility, engagement and empowerment of voices of children and youth networks and fostering their inclusion in the global climate conversation and policy making. This pavilion is owned and managed by children and youth and is located at the official UN Blue Zone. It will host events, working groups, networking opportunities, and policy briefings curated by child and youth networks.
- The Sharm El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda was also launched today by the COP President at the COP27 conference. This is a comprehensive, shared agenda to rally global action around 30 adaptation outcomes needed to address the adaptation gap and achieve a resilient world by 2030. The Adaptation Agenda is meant to accelerate transformative efforts by countries, regions, cities, businesses, investors and civil society to adapt to the acute climate hazards facing vulnerable communities.
Days 1 and 2
Thousands of people arrived in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, for the annual climate negotiations that began in 1992 in Rio, Brazil. The increase in human activities that contributes immensely to CO2 emissions is causing the 1.5 ºC window to gradually close, and the world awaits resolutions from this high stake 27th climate negotiations. During the opening plenary, Egypt’s Foreign Minister, HE Sameh Shoukry, was formally elected as the COP27 President. He called on countries to actively engage in multilateralism over the next two weeks to promote the delivery of the goals of the Climate Convention and the Paris Agreement. Also, High-level bilateral meetings were held between countries, including Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Pakistan, New Zealand and the United States. The bilateral meeting saw the signing of pacts between different nations to advance net-zero drive.