Show only key events Please enable JavaScript to use this feature Angst is growing around the world about the progress of the Cop27 loss and damage talks. Global Justice Now said delays by wealthier countries on funding countries worst hit by climate meltdown are “reprehensible”. Global Justice Now has a number of staff in Sharm El Sheikh who are helping to lobby for a progressive outcome of the talks. The organization is committed to “climate justice,” where the changes needed to avoid climate catastrophe do not come at the expense of traditionally marginalized people. A spokesperson for Global Justice Now said: Rich countries must stop stalling talks and shirking their historical responsibility for loss and damage. Countries most affected by climate chaos are calling for a new UN fund to provide predictable, additional compensation for loss and damage – more talk about insurance systems is not enough. They need not worry about how they would fund a new fund – there is a clear case for much increased taxation on fossil fuel companies, with the Big 5 reporting $170 billion in profits over the past 12 months. Over 600 of their lobbyists are here at Cop, including even some countries’ negotiating delegations, so it’s not hard to imagine where the upset might be coming from. With just days to go, it is damning that rich countries are using more agitation and delay to try to hold back climate justice when lives are being lost and futures are being eroded. Updated at 13:00 GMT
Concern is growing over the progress of the negotiations over loss and damage
Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland, became the latest major voice at Cop27 to raise concerns about the progress of negotiations on measures to deal with the loss and damage suffered by poorer countries as a result of climate change. Robinson, who leads a group of prominent former world leaders known as the Elders, said China and Saudi Arabia are holding talks on the issue, which has been hard-fought by countries in the global south on the front lines of the climate crisis. According to Reuters news agency excerpts, he said: There seems to be a bit of a block on loss and damage. There is no agreement, it seems, in general, for a fund here and now. I am also very concerned that the Santiago Network negotiations last night presented a real problem because China and Saudi Arabia – and I am naming names … are trying to block technical assistance for loss and damage going to the most vulnerable countries . A spokesman for the Saudi delegation to the talks declined to comment on Robinson’s remarks, Reuters reported. Updated at 12:43 GMT “I’m here to tell you all that Brazil has returned to the world,” Lula said, according to AFP. “Brazil was not born to be an isolated country. “We will fight a very strong battle against illegal deforestation,” he said. Updated at 12:42 GMT Patrick Greenfield The Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance side event is just getting started. Patrick Greenfield is on stage. He writes: The launch of the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (Boga) by Costa Rica and Denmark at Cop26 last year attracted huge media interest, with journalists swarming the press conference in Glasgow. A year on, the momentum behind the group, which aims to chart the path to the end of oil and gas, has been lost. Costa Rica’s new president has distanced himself from the alliance’s goals, and oil and gas exploration has increased since Russia invaded Ukraine. At Cop27 today, Boga was increased by another country – Fiji – while the US state of Washington joined. Portugal has upgraded its membership to full part of the alliance. The Guardian understands that Denmark has spoken to other countries about joining the alliance. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was still considering joining Cop27 last week. Boga said Sweden and Quebec had passed legislation banning oil and gas extraction on their lands, while California had taken strong measures to protect communities from oil drilling. France introduces legislation to ban overseas public finance for fossil fuels. Danish climate ambassador Tomas Anker Christensen said: “We have long known the need to move away from fossil fuels to avoid the most devastating effects of climate change. The impact of the Russian invasion and the global energy crisis has made this even clearer. It is particularly important to help developing countries phase out oil and gas production, and today we are taking an important step.” Updated at 11:52 GMT
The UK’s long-promised deposit scheme will last another two years
Fiona Harvey A long-running UK deposit refund scheme will not be in place for another two years, the UK environment secretary said on Wednesday, writes Fiona Harvey, the Guardian’s environment correspondent. “It will be another two years at least,” Thérèse Coffey told reporters at Cop27. “Scotland hasn’t started theirs yet. We continue with our environmental goals and a business plan and Elms. We are approaching the fifth anniversary of the 25-year environmental plan.” He said the UK government was still reviewing the investment zones and could not say whether they would go ahead without environmental protection. She said she was “surprised” to discover the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was no further ahead in setting air and water quality targets under the Environment Act 2021, but said it was working on those targets. Updated at 11:50 GMT — Lula (@LulaOficial) November 16, 2022 Australia had hoped for Cop29, but Anthony Albanese’s government pushed back its bid – to be made in conjunction with Pacific nations – for Cop31 in 2026 after acknowledging it had little chance before then. In accordance with the UNFCCC’s system of rotating hosting among five groups of countries, Cop29 is to be located in Eastern Europe. Australia’s climate change minister, Chris Bowen, said at an event on Tuesday night that he expected Bulgaria to host Cop29 and Brazil to host Cop30. He said the Australia/Pacific bid for Cop31 had been accepted. Turkey also announced a bid for Cop31 as it updated its national contribution this week. The nationally determined contribution was not particularly well received as it would lead to an increase in emissions until 2040. [With thanks to Adam Morton, Guardian Australia’s environment and climate editor, for the details on forthcoming Cops] Updated at 11:47 GMT Patrick Greenfield As we wait for Lula to speak, now is a good time to think about the two Brazils at Cop27, writes Patrick Greenfield. This was the reaction as Lula arrived earlier. Updated at 11:43 GMT Funding for countries on the front lines of the climate crisis was supposed to be one of the big issues at this year’s summit. However, the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and other developing countries have expressed serious concern about the lack of progress on funding for loss and damage. AOSIS president Sir Molwyn Joseph, who is Antigua and Barbuda’s environment minister, has accused some developed countries of trying to stop progress “and even worse, trying to undermine small island states”. He said: We have come too far to fail when it comes to loss and damage financing. Three quarters of humanity is counting on a favorable outcome at COP27. AOSIS and our other developing countries have…
