World leaders are meeting in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, for two weeks of climate negotiations at COP27. As the world battles an energy crisis, rising inflation and a war in Europe, these critical climate talks continue to bring to the fore the global fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Last year, at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, nations collectively agreed that they must immediately do more to prevent global temperatures from rising. However, these actions still need to be implemented at the promised pace as the consequences of climate change unfold.
Over the next two weeks, COP27 is expected to be fraught with tensions between rich countries that pollute the atmosphere and poorer nations on the front lines of climate impacts, as the question of who will pay for the losses and damages is hotly debated. .
What is COP27?
COP means Conference of the Parties. In this case, “parties” refers to the 197 nations that agreed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992.
Trinidad and Tobago signed and ratified the UNFCCC in 1994.
The treaty addresses “dangerous human interference in the climate system” and stabilizes levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The UN climate body convenes these governments once a year to discuss how to tackle climate change together.
There is another COP taking place this December in Montreal, Canada – COP15. However, COP15 is the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
About the COP27 venue in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. (UNFCCC, Simon Stiel, Kiara Worth)
When is COP27?
The conference started on Sunday, November 6 and will last until November 18. However, these climate negotiations unofficially began last week and are historically contentious, so it could end.
Where is COP27?
These high-level climate meetings are being held in Sharm el Sheikh. This Egyptian city, nicknamed the City of Peace, is located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, along the Red Sea. It is mainly known for its many resorts and the organization of international conferences and diplomatic meetings.
COP27 will be divided between the Blue Zone and the Green Zone, similar to COP26.
The Blue Zone, at the International Convention Center in Sharm el Sheikh, is for those registered with the UNFCCC and is the site of the official negotiations. It will be managed by the United Nations and will be subject to international law.
The Green Zone is in the Peace Park Botanical Garden, across the street from the Convention Center and is a space for youth groups, civil society, academia, artists and business to host events, exhibitions, cultural performances, workshops and talks. This area will be run by the Egyptian government and will be open to the public.
What is the purpose of COP27?
Depending on who you ask, you may get a different answer.
Developing countries, such as Trinidad and Tobago and our neighboring Eastern Caribbean islands, want a commitment to the money already committed to address the already current climate-driven disasters. This funding is known as Loss and Damage. These developing countries are pushing rich countries further in climate finance. In particular, new funding for climate adaptation and mitigation to address displacement for those permanently displaced by flooding or sea level rise, and managing the economic damage that climate disasters have on these higher-income countries low.
However, rich and polluting nations have long resisted efforts to pay for extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent and destructive.
Meanwhile, rich countries want to focus on ways developing countries can wean themselves off fossil fuels and switch to greener energy sources.
Delegates gather for COP27 plenary opening (UNFCCC, Simon Stiel, Kiara Worth)
Johann Olivier
Who will be at COP27?
Over 100 heads of state are expected to attend, according to the UNFCCC, with more than 50,000 delegates.
The delegation of Trinidad and Tobago will be led by Minister of Planning and Development, Pennelope Beckles and the head of the Ministry of Multilateral Environmental Agreements, Kishan Kumarsingh.
At the regional level, high-level statements are expected to be made by Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Philip Davis, Prime Minister of the Bahamas; Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada and Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, who is also speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), of which T&T is a member.
Other Trinbagonians involved in the panel discussions and negotiations are also expected to be at the Conference, including Dr Arlene Laing, Coordinating Director of the Caribbean Meteorological Organization; Racquel Moses, CEO of the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator and Akil Callendar, Youth Specialist in Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL).
___
This story was produced as part of the 2022 Climate Change Media Partnership, a journalism fellowship hosted by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.
