COP27: Tense and divisive geopolitics ‘is distracting’ governments from tackling climate crisis | Climate News
The UN’s climate change chief told Sky News there has never been such a “tense” and “divisive” geopolitical environment ahead of a UN climate change summit. at this time.
Speaking just a few days ago COP27 Simon Stiell said the situation was “distracting” governments from tackling the climate crisis.
“If there’s one crisis that defines our times, it’s climate,” he said.
“All the other stuff; interest rates, the cost of living, even war, is over – but climate change continues.
“We’ve seen governments lose focus since we left Glasgow.”
La Vinuela Reservoir near Malaga in southern Spain during extreme heat in summer
Mr. Stiell, whose official title is the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate change (UNFCCC), told Sky News: “I don’t think there has ever been such a tense and divisive geopolitical environment as there is now as we enter this COP.
“Yes, the world is distracted… Sharm El-Sheikh gives us a chance to refocus.”
COP27 aims to increase emissions reduction action and increase financing for developing countries so that they can adapt to the changes already here.
Read more: Rishi Sunak promises UK to lead the fight against climate change – after COP27 U-turn
But the dominant issue can be loss and damage, involving payments from rich to low-income countries to compensate for the damage caused by climate change.
It’s something that wealthy nations like the US have been reluctant to consider, but talks are still going on behind the scenes to get the issue officially on the COP27 agenda for discussion.
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Are the carbon commitments being followed?
Mr Siell, who was previously Grenada’s climate envoy, added: “I’m not sure if I’m wearing my old hat as minister of a developing country on a small island or is the executive secretary of the UNFCCC, but when you look at it from a practical point of view and you look at it from an ethical point of view, it’s the most vulnerable people who are suffering the most from climate change. who contributed the least to it.
“And it is the industrialized countries that have to shoulder that responsibility and find a solution.
“Climate change doesn’t have to wait. Those damages… the damages caused by climate impacts… are being felt day by day and only increasing.”
COP27 in Egypt takes place from November 6 to 18.
