It is day 9 of COP27 and we’re firmly within the second half of the UN local weather convention.
Negotiations are nonetheless sluggish however there was a glimmer of hope at present because the US and China agreed to renew cooperation on local weather points. Draft texts are additionally going round, giving clues to what could be within the closing deal on the finish of the week.
So what occurred at COP27 at present?
1. US-China local weather cooperation might re-energise COP27 negotiations
US President Joe Biden and Chinese language chief Xi Jinping have agreed to renew cooperation on local weather change. It has provided a a lot wanted increase to negotiations at COP27.
The 2 leaders of the world’s largest carbon emitting nations met on the G20 summit in Indonesia. They indicated that they might “empower key senior officers” on areas of cooperation together with local weather change.
Heading into the final week of the UN local weather convention, progress has been sluggish.
Spain’s local weather minister Teresa Ribera stated she was hopeful that the settlement would energise negotiations in Egypt.
“The 2 largest emitters must be cooperative and bold,” she advised Reuters.
2. Overconsumption not overpopulation is the issue relating to local weather
On Tuesday, the world’s inhabitants reached 8 billion folks. On the identical time, the planet is getting hotter.
However consultants say that the 2 aren’t as linked as you may assume. The issue is consumption quite than overpopulation.
A small variety of individuals are inflicting way over their justifiable share of emissions.
Kenya, for instance, has 55 million folks – about 95 instances greater than the inhabitants of Wyoming in america. However Wyoming emits 3.7 instances the quantity of carbon dioxide as Kenya.
Africa as a complete has 16.7 per cent of the world’s inhabitants however traditionally emits solely three per cent of worldwide carbon air pollution.
America, nonetheless, has 4.5 per cent of the planet’s folks however since 1959 has put out 21.5 per cent of heat-trapping carbon dioxide, based on knowledge from the International Carbon Venture.
“The query just isn’t about inhabitants however quite about consumption patterns,” stated local weather scientist Invoice Hare of Local weather Analytics.
“So it’s greatest to take a look at the key northern emitters to start with.”
3. European Union raises its goal for slicing greenhouse fuel emissions
The European Union has up to date its local weather pledges with plans to chop emissions by 57 per cent by 2030.
“I am blissful to announce right here at present that the EU stands able to replace our NDC (Nationally Decided Contributions) reflecting this increased ambition,” EU local weather coverage chief Frans Timmermans advised the COP27 convention in Sharm El Sheikh.
“Do not let anyone let you know, right here or outdoors, that the EU is backtracking.”
The pledge is a part of the ‘Match for 55’ package deal which goals to make the bloc carbon impartial by the center of the century.
Different measures embrace carbon sinks and elevated funding in electrical automobiles. As of 2035, all new automobiles within the EU will probably be required to be zero-emission – successfully banning petrol and diesel automobiles.
However campaigners insist that the EU might do extra. CAN Europe analysed whether or not current pledges will hold us under the Paris Settlement goal of 1.5 levels Celsius of worldwide warming.
It concluded that the EU emissions discount goal ought to be raised to 65 per cent to keep away from devastating temperature rises.
4. Activists slam world leaders backing fossil gas tasks
Ugandan local weather activist Vanessa Nakate criticised world leaders who proceed to again new fossil gas tasks.
“The main target for a lot of leaders is about making offers for fossil gas lobbyists, surviving the subsequent election cycle and grabbing as a lot short-term revenue as potential,” Nakate stated at an occasion on the sidelines of the UN local weather talks.
She warned that COP27 was being infiltrated by oil and fuel representatives who’ve turned it into “a gross sales and advertising convention for extra air pollution and extra destruction.”
It comes after marketing campaign teams International Witness, Company Accountability and Company Europe Observatory revealed that fossil gas lobbyists outnumbered virtually each nationwide delegation on the convention.
Final week they launched an evaluation that confirmed 636 oil and fuel lobbyists had been registered to attend COP27.
“Tobacco lobbyists wouldn’t be welcome at well being conferences, arms sellers can’t promote their commerce at peace conventions,” they stated.
“These perpetuating the world’s fossil gas habit shouldn’t be allowed by means of the doorways of a local weather convention.”
5. Ukraine needs the entire world to carry Russia liable for the environmental damages of warfare
Final night time, Ukraine’s Surroundings Minister Ruslan Strilets spoke at a COP27 facet occasion. He laid out the environmental impression of Russia’s invasion.
Because the begin of the warfare in February, Ukraine claims to have gathered proof of greater than 2,200 instances of environmental injury, costing a complete of €37.8 billion. It’s accumulating proof of environmental crimes with which to sue Russia and is launching a platform to judge damages attributable to navy motion.
“The primary problem and we perceive it, is that it will likely be very tough for us to file (regulation)fits for each environmental injury,” Strilets stated.
He additionally added that the warfare has instantly led to 33 million tonnes of greenhouse gases being emitted. Rebuilding the nation might trigger an extra 49 million tonnes of emissions.
“We name upon every and everybody to affix the battle of the lifetime of human civilisation. Not solely Ukraine, however the entire world ought to demand duty from Russia.”
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