A group of protesters protested inside the UN plenary during the official speech of the President of the United States, Joe Biden, at COP27, this Friday (11)
They didn’t actually interrupt Biden’s speech, but rose from their chairs, held up posters and made loud sounds that were picked up by the media during the speech’s broadcast around the world.
US and UN security approached quickly, removing the protesters from the scene.
The protest illustrates very well how Biden’s speech was received by a large part of the plenary and the international negotiators present at the climate summit.
One of the negotiators told the CNN that the position of the American president was “disappointing”.
His speech offered only words of praise to the US, without addressing one of the main points under discussion at COP27: the payment by developed countries to the poorest to face climate change.
The negotiations for this COP27 are being marked by strong clashes between developing countries and the richest nations – basically, the USA, the countries of Western Europe, Japan, Canada and Australia.
While the first group wants to discuss the payment of financial aid to the rich to compensate for the loss and damage already incurred by the world, the rich postpone this discussion as long as possible.
Worst. They continue to insist only on the need for all nations, including the most vulnerable, to reduce the effects of global warming by cutting greenhouse gas emissions – the so-called mitigation.
This pushing game is increasingly evident, especially at this COP27, with developing countries becoming increasingly vocal in the need to advance these financial transfers.
Biden even announced some US aid initiatives for countries in Africa and for Egypt in particular. But these initiatives are a far cry from the hundreds of billions of dollars demanded by poor nations.
Biden ignored that sentiment and spent much of his speech praising recent changes in US environmental legislation, saying the country is doing its part.
This is half true, as historically the US is one of the biggest polluters in the world. And, therefore, they should help much more with the financing of smaller economies – as is being demanded by the negotiators.
Source: CNN Brasil
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