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‘Show me the money’: will promises around loss and damage finally be upheld at COP27?
Tense geopolitical relations heightened by the war in Ukraine and a global cost-of-living crisis mark the start of COP27. Emiliya Mychasuk; climate editor for the Financial Times, leads a discussion on hopes and fears for the conference.
Words:
We are grappling for a silver bullet solution that doesn’t exist, Clover Hogan proclaims when asked about her feelings towards COP27. There is a shared stance amongst the panellists sitting alongside the influential climate activist that while COP can lead towards negotiations, what we desperately need is action and implementation.
Farhana Yamin, an environmental lawyer and prominent climate change and development policy expert, reflects on the 2015 Paris Agreement and how it was said to be the end of the fossil fuel era. Seven years later, we have heard governmental dialogue but without the necessary implementation to remain within the proposed temperature limits set out by the agreement.
Business as usual is not working
Farhana explains that her hope for COP27 is that it captures the growing notion that business as usual is not working. The panellists propose that an accountability structure has to be created to hold countries responsible for their promises. Professor Mark Maslin and Farhana suggest that a strength of COP lies within its global governance, and that pressure should be put on rich countries that are most responsible for climate change.
Climate loss and damage refers to the reality that the climate crisis is experienced most by countries that are least to blame. It argues that the biggest fossil fuel polluters should be liable for the suffering that is caused by the climate crisis through providing climate finance for mitigation and adaptation to countries suffering from the repercussions. This sentiment is echoed by the UN secretary-general, António Guterres, who states that the gap between the developed and developing worlds will be the biggest issue facing Cop27 discussions. Guterres urges for wealthy countries to sign a historic climate pact with emerging economies involving clear financial pledges to strengthen emissions-cutting targets.
But is a climate pact enough?
Ng’endo Machau-Muniu, a communications specialist, asserts that developed countries must take ownership and become more transparent to rebuild the trust that has been lost from previous words that have not been followed by action.
“We’ve had the pledges, we’ve had the words; we need to turn up,” Professor Malin concludes. Powerful countries such as the US and the UK have been extracting wealth, labour and resources from communities that are now experiencing the worst effects of rising temperatures.
Clover expands on the notion of responsibility, and points out that climate disasters are not accidental as the necessary resources and technology to combat global warming already exist, and urges us to view the lack of implementation as a political choice. Farhana adds that people need to feel that policy makers are listening as well as taking action. This COP needs to establish the loss and damages incurred, and make the required financial commitments to ensure that the vulnerable will not be left behind.
What role can civil society play in climate change narratives?
A common sentiment when discussing last year’s COP was the hope that was felt on the streets. Clover and Farhana emphasise the importance of civil mobilisation, disobedience, and direct action to force the mechanisms of power to deliver new technologies and renewables.
An issue with COP27 being held in Egypt – as has been the case of many past host countries – is that the prices of travel and accommodation are exclusionary; adding to the disproportionality of voices heard. In a country where it is often dangerous for activists to speak out, the remote and restricted location of COP27 means that activists will find it harder to operate.
Nevertheless, Clover discusses the importance for community spaces across the world to come together in solidarity to connect on a human level.
In agreement with Clover, Farhana highlights the importance of arts and creatives within community gatherings to reimagine and engineer a better future. In addition to the dismantling process, the negotiations of new systems need to be at the forefront of people’s minds. Farhana explains that this is now her focus, and that she is working with the civil climate movement to create a positive vision to replace the current system with.
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In collaboration with the Climate Crisis Advisory Group and Financial Times, the discussion was joined by Mark Maslin, professor of Earth Systems Science; Clover Hogan, climate activist and founding executive director of Force of Nature; Farhana Yamin, environmental lawyer and climate change expert; and Ng’endo Machau-Muniu, communications and engagement lead at the Stockholm Environment Institute.
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