Two days away from COP27, remember what was decided at the 2021 Conference

Starts next Sunday (6) to 27th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP27), in Egypt. For about two weeks, the eyes of the entire world will be focused on the main global climate issues. Some of them are old and have already been discussed in other conferences. In November last year, COP26, held in Glasgow, Scotland, focused on the attempt to reduce the use of fossil fuels.

The 26th Climate Conference approved a commitment, signed by more than 200 countries, to seek alternative energy sources. The final agreement brought, for the first time in history, a reference to fossil fuels, especially coal, and its influence on the climate crisis.

Also during COP26, according to the United Nations (UN), countries agreed to deliver stronger commitments in 2022, including updated national plans with more ambitious targets.

“However, only 23 of the 193 countries have submitted their plans to the UN so far,” the Organization said.

The main objective of the COP26 agreement is to prevent emissions of polluting gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, from leading to global warming above 1.5ºC.

According to scientists, the value represents a threshold that, if exceeded, would exacerbate the impacts of the climate crisis and lead to catastrophic climate change.

Too many commitments

During the COP, around 120 countries — representing 90% of the planet’s forest cover — committed to halting and reversing deforestation by 2030.

There was also a financial commitment. A new fund was approved to eliminate illegal deforestation by 2030 — it must be established by 2025 and had the United States as the largest donor, with a commitment to inject US$ 12 billion.

Another US$ 7.2 billion is expected to come from private companies. But it has not yet been clarified how this money will actually reach the projects.

At least 13 countries have also committed to ending the sale of fossil fuel-powered heavy vehicles by 2040.

Results

The ultimate success of the agreement will be determined by the future actions of the 200 governments that signed it, according to the hosts, the United Kingdom, as well as summit participants and observers.

“I think today we can credibly say that we kept the 1.5 degree threshold within our reach. But the pulse is still weak, and we will only survive if we keep our promises,” said summit chairman Alok Sharma after the pact was signed on November 13, 2021.

opinions

COP26, held in Glasgow, was not radical enough to seek to contain the climate crisis, believe experts heard by the CNN .

The agreement makes unprecedented mention of the role of fossil fuels in the climate crisis. This is something that not even history Paris agreement was able to achieve.

When asked for her views on the entire deal, even Greenpeace International Executive Director Jennifer Morgan saw the inclusion of coal as a win for the climate.

“It’s tame, it’s weak and the 1.5ºC target is barely alive, but a signal has been sent that the coal age is ending. And that matters,” she said. Sharma faced doubts about the way he handled the last-minute change, which he later apologized for.

“This will not bring us any closer to the 1.5ºC target, but it will make it more difficult to achieve it,” said Swiss Environment Minister Simonetta Sommarug, receiving a long round of applause.

But India’s Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who opposed the text, said it would be difficult for his country to end coal use and fossil fuel subsidies while trying to fight poverty.

“How can one expect developing countries to make promises about phasing out coal and fossil fuel subsidies?” he asked.

“Subsidies provide much-needed social security and support,” he said, setting an example of how India uses subsidies to provide liquefied natural gas to low-income families.

With information from Reuters and CNN International*