Climate impacts are coming fast and furious. Devastating floods, record-breaking temperatures, and extreme drought, all pose a real threat to humankind.
Every year, members of each COP nation come together for discussions about their climate commitments and to outline measures to combat climate disorders.
This year, Egypt is set to host world leaders, policymakers, experts, and other critical stakeholders – for COP27 – the Largest International Climate Conference on Earth.
Here’s what you need to know ahead
COP, shortened for Conference of the Parties, refers to the group of states that consented to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); an international environmental treaty, in 1992.
The treaty, which came into force in 1994, aims _inter alia_ to combat dangerous human interference with /the climate system.
The maiden Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC was held in Berlin, the German capital in 1995.
So far, 197 countries are signatories to the UNFCCC and 2022 marks the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27).
COP27: Time frame, point of convergence
COP27 commences November 6 and runs till November 18.
Climate actors from around the world would convene at the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El Sheikh for the conference.
Over 90 heads of state and representatives from more than 190 countries are expected to attend.
Interestingly, this will be the first COP in Africa since COP22 was held in Marrakesh, Morocco in 2016.
Table of discussions
Topics centered on decarbonization, climate change adaptation, agriculture, and a host of others are expected to feature on the table of discussions at the summit.
Broken promises on global emissions reduction and climate reparations for countries that suffered heavy economic losses due to climate catastrophes would also be addressed.
Notable absentees
President Xi Jinping of China is expected to miss out. For the record, China is the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter. The chances of current Kremlin incumbent Vladimir Putin’s physical presence at the conference are slim.
Recall, both leaders were absent from the 2021 COP summit held in Glasgow, Scotland.
“Much talk without action”
Expectedly, attendees of COP27 are to make more ambitious commitments to enhance climate change resilience.
However, COP summits are usually characterized by verbal pledges with little or no concrete steps on the part of all parties, specifically the “core” states, which are responsible for the biggest share of the emissions.
The US, China, and the EU account for around 40 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The G7 countries account for nearly 25 percent of global energy-related carbon dioxide (Co2) emissions.
This year, the U.N. has implored world leaders to show their commitment by limiting the global temperature rise to less than 2 Degree Celsius. However, differing positions do exist.
World leaders are poles apart in redressing the balance with the fireball of conflictual relations playing out. Whatever might be the case, the world needs a change – actions have to be taken now and fast.
If nations fail to honor their pledges in deeds, the current environmental disaster ravaging several parts of the world are only indicators of the worst to come.
