A COP27 with a different spirit. Kicks off today at Sharm El-Sheikh, in Egypt, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change. The issue of damage and loss of human life caused by climate change is the central point for the UN this time to deal with. Something of different from the last Conferences where the progress of governments to save the planet has been very small. “Our planet is well on its way to reaching tipping points that will make climate chaos irreversible,” the UN Secretary-General said optimistically. Antonio Guterres. The will with which Guterres will open the proceedings is that it is time for a historic pact between developed economies and emerging economies. Where the former must keep the commitment made in Paris in 2015 to reduce emissions by 1,5 degrees. A very theoretical commitment given how things went at the last COP26 of Glasgow. Of 193 countries that had pledged to reduce CO2 emissions, only 26 have taken effective measures. After a very difficult year on the world stage, even with threats of nuclear attacks, there is a need for a more vigorous effort on the part of everyone. Unfortunately, the climate balance still leans too much on the side of polluting countries.
COP27 between expectations and previous commitments
In Glasgow it was said that the richest countries responsible for climate-changing emissions would allocate "real" economic resources for reconstruction and aid to countries affected by disasters, floods, inundations. All things that 2022 did not miss. But will a different spirit really manifest itself in Sharm El Sheikh to save the planet? Stay completely open, for example, the question of the 100 billion dollars a year that rich countries have to pay to the poorest. In this respect it seems that Western governments are still stuck in the positions of theAmerica first di Donald Trump, the leader who has never believed in the fight against climate change. Nonetheless, in the pre-COP27 days we heard a series of declarations (often conflicting with each other) on the outcome of the Egyptian summit. Times have changed, emergencies are becoming more and more evident and taking more time to change policies and strategies is of no use to anyone. “Everyone has to rise to the occasion and have to abandon the enemy and winner-takes-all approach,” he said. Wael Aboulmagdè Egyptian Special Representative to the Conference.
Italy to announce a special climate aid fund
The summit of heads of state and government will take place on 7 and 8 November with over 100 leaders in attendance. He will be present for Italy Giorgia Meloni which will announce the creation of a climate fund of 840 million euros a year for five years. On the other hand last year a Milano Mario Draghie Sergio Mattarella had paved the way for a greater Italian commitment on theAgenda UN 2030. Now in Egypt the responsibility of investing in the future of energy, water security, the protection of people and territories, humanitarian aid to vulnerable communities weighs on those present. For the first time, the ambition on climate change mitigation is really coming out. To do that, governments will need to step up their commitments to decarbonise in the first place. The process goes on with many stop & go e the war in Ukraine has only aggravated the situation making the transformation of the global energy system even more urgent. After the days in the plenary, COP27 will go on until 18 November with round tables on international finance, science and young people, adaptation of agriculture, water, civil society and energy, biodiversity. On the 18th the final document will also be announced with plans and indications for the COP28 of November 2023 in Dubai. Let's hope it doesn't contain too many disappointments.
