Will COP27 deliver?

This time last year, Glasgow was getting ready to open its arms to global leaders and stage the biggest climate event since the Paris agreement was signed in 2015. Now, with the commencement of COP27, Recorra is reflecting on the outcomes of COP27 and what we expect this time around.

At the end of last years’ conference, we saw the Glasgow Climate Pact signed, which contained 96 points which were agreed upon.

The three main takeaways were:

• Phasing out unabated fossil fuel usage and inefficient subsidies.
• Urging developed countries to fully deliver the $100 billion climate action pledge which was previously agreed on in the Paris Agreement.
• Requesting parties to revisit and strengthen the 2030 targets in their NDCs (Nationally determined contributions, a report which shows what each country is doing to lower emissions).

So where are we now?
Since COP 26, countries are still using fossil fuels, not providing enough financial support to affected countries and many haven’t update their NDCs. Due to this, the UN has stated that we are on track to reach 2.5°C by 2100. With this business-as-usual approach, we are destined to surpass the Paris agreement temperature limit that all nations signed up to – this should send alarm bells ringing around the world.

We need to act now. Petrus Muteyauli of Namibia has said “COP21 told us what to do, COP26 told us how to do it and COP27 calls us to go to the battlefield and implement what we decided over the past 27 years.”

Things to look out for over the next two weeks

1. Updated NDCs
   Of the over 190 countries who originally signed up, only 24 reports have been sent in. We need to see concrete plans with objective and precise reduction targets.
   
   
2. The ending of all fossil fuel subsidies, not just the ‘inefficient’ ones
   In 2021, the G20 nations subsided $693 billion worth of fossil fuels. We need to see countries drastically reducing this and opting for policies which encourage the use of green energy.
   
   
3. The Meeting of climate finance targets and the allocation of more funds for adaptation
   In 2020, developed nations provided $83 billion to support developing countries. This is expected to increase to at least $100 billion.

Since COP26 last year, a lot has taken place, from freak weather to political upheaval. However, one thing has not changed. COP events NEED to deliver real, meaningful action and not watered-down language if we are to step off the path to climate disaster.

All is not lost, as Sir David Attenborough commented ‘In my lifetime, I’ve witnessed a terrible decline. In yours, you could and should witness a wonderful recovery.’ This statement encompasses the potential that COP27 has to enable real change, which needs to be the outcome of this years’ conference.