As world leaders and high-profile delegates discuss and debate the issue of how to solve climate change at COP27 in Egypt, we’ve heard your questions about the climate conference. Let’s start with the basics.
What is COP27?
Each year the United Nations holds these conferences to get governments to agree on measures to limit global warming as countries struggle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. COP stands for “Conference of the Parties” and 27 simply means that it is the 27th such event since the first COP meeting was held in Berlin in March 1995. This year it takes place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt until November 18.
What is the goal for COP27?
According introductory comments by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the ultimate goal is to encourage action towards the world’s collective climate goals committed to Paris Agreement in 2015. So essentially, the primary goal is to limit the global average temperature increase this century to less than 2 C, preferably closer to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels. Guterres said the goal will only be achievable if the world can achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Julie Segal, a climate finance expert from Environmental Defence, who is attending the conference, says “the litmus test for this COP to succeed is to move forward with what’s called a damage and loss fund mechanism.” He says loss and damage financing would ensure that rich countries provide funds to countries that bear the brunt of climate change but have contributed least to the climate crisis itself. World leaders need to listen to what the Global South needs in terms of funding and then implement mitigation efforts, Segal said. WATCHES | Who does the Global South say should pay for the effects of climate change:
Will rich nations pay for global climate disasters?
Vulnerable countries bear the brunt of climate change, even though they are not driving it. At COP27, leaders from the Global South will tell rich nations – the world’s highest emitters of greenhouse gases – that it is time to pay for the damage. Alden Meyer — senior partner at E3Ga climate change think tank — which has been following the COP since it began — says reducing global emissions and developing countries’ adaptation to climate change are also major areas of focus this year, along with loss and damage financing. “The intersection of all of these is funding [and] the need to mobilize substantially more finances to do all three of these things,” he said.
What is at stake in these negotiations?
“The future of the planet is at stake,” Meyer said. The UN secretary-general issued a similar message at the opening of the conference. “Humanity has a choice: cooperate or perish,” Guterres told delegates. He urged them to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and accelerate funding to poorer countries struggling under the effects of climate change so far. Despite decades of climate talks, countries have failed to cut global greenhouse gas emissions, and their pledges to do so in the future are insufficient to keep the climate from warming to a level scientists say will be catastrophic. Guterres even went on to make the grim statement that the lack of progress so far has caused the world to accelerate a “full speed to hell.”
Has there been any progress since COP26?
At last year’s meeting, world leaders agreed to move away from fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions faster than in the past. All 193 countries participating in the Paris Agreement have agreed to review their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Most countries, including Canada, have not submitted an updated NDC since COP26. Here is where you can see which countries have made submissions and how strong their new commitments are. Although global progress has been slow, Meyer said some has been made since COP26 in Glasgow last year. Under current commitments, global emissions will increase by about 10 percent by 2030, compared to 2010 levels, Meyer said. He notes that this represents an improvement over last year’s assessment, which found that countries were on track to increase emissions by about 14 percent. “Well, yes, we’re making progress, but it’s nowhere near the pace we need and we don’t have enough time,” he said.
Who is Canada sending to COP27?
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, that country’s core delegation is about 335 members. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not attending, instead Environment and Climate Change Minister Stephen Guilbeau is leading the delegation. It includes politicians and representatives from the business and labor sectors, from most provinces and territories and there are also young and Indigenous representatives.
Who pays for Canadian participants?
The federal government is paying for federal officials to attend, Environment and Climate Change Canada told CBC News in an email. It also helps pay for up to six representatives from each group: Indigenous leaders, support staff, MPs, youth representatives and environmental NGOs. All other participants, while accredited to the Canadian delegation, have covered their own expenses. Ottawa also says they are working with all delegates to ensure all carbon emissions from convention travel are offset.
Why can’t it be a virtual conference?
It would be unfair, said Eddy Pérez, director of international climate diplomacy at the advocacy group Climate Action Network Canada. “This meeting is about global representation. And when it comes to global representation, for those who are 12,13,14 hours away — where the time zones are completely different, it’s unfair to force them to align with our time zones, ” he said. Segal agrees, saying it’s important that delegations from countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis can meet in person as equals. “What’s really important here is to bring everyone together, to invite all these voices to the same table, so that people are held accountable for the promises they made, people have their ears open to those on the front lines. of the climate crisis,” he said.
