TWN Sharm El-Sheikh Climate News Update No. 13

22 November 2022
Published by Third World Network
www.twn.my

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COP 27 DELIVERED ON ITS PROMISE – SAY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Sharm El-Sheikh, 21 Nov (Hilary Kung) – “You promised an Implementation COP and you delivered”, said Sherry Rehman, Minister for Climate Change of Pakistan, in a powerful statement delivered on behalf of the G77/China, at the closing plenary of the UNFCCC climate talks which began at 4 am, early morning of Sunday, Nov 20 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

After long days and nights of finding consensus, the closing plenary of the climate talks was convened by the COP27 President, Sameh Shoukry, the Foreign Minister of Egypt, following the adoption of the ‘Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan.’ (See TWN Update 12 for an overview of the decisions adopted).

Rehman of Pakistan said that “The ultimate test of this COP is that it has responded to the voices of the climate vulnerable by establishing a fund for loss and damage…. We have struggled for 30 years on this path, and today in Sharm el Sheikh this journey has achieved its first positive milestone,” adding that the, “establishment of the fund is not about dispensing charity”.

She added further that the G77/China is also pleased with the decision on operationalization of the Santiago Network on Loss and Damage (SNLD), (which is a technical assistance facility).

“Through constructive engagement, all Parties were able to arrive at a consensus that puts the Network on a firm institutional footing, with its Advisory Board and its secretariat, with the host to be selected through a robust process. Through the Network, we look forward to seeing enhanced catalysation and provision of technical assistance to all our developing countries to better equip us in averting, minimizing, and addressing the losses and damages arising from the adverse and accelerated impacts of climate change,” said the Minister.

Rehman also highlighted five other issues that were of significance to the group. “On the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) on finance, the group regrets that Parties did not manage to agree on substantive guidance for the work in 2023 and 2024.”

On adaptation, the G77/China noted the progress achieved on the global goal on adaptation (GGA) work programme but also reiterated that it is confident that the decision to launch a framework here at COP27 will help achieve the global goal. The group also lodged concern about the lack of progress and the shortfall in financing the formulation and implementation of national adaptation plans (NAPs).  “These are crucial tools for countries struggling to build resilience against climate stress”, said the Pakistan minister further.

On response measures, the group welcomed the report and recommendations of the Katowice Committee of Experts on the Impacts of the Implementation of Response Measures (KCI), but also expressed serious concerns on the lack of progress on the mid-term review of the work plan of the Forum and the KCI. Rehman also emphasized the importance of advancing the work of the forum and KCI to support the developing countries to understand, assess, and address the impacts of the implementation of response measures. Further, the G77/China also welcomed the first Joint work program of the Technology Mechanism for 2023-2027 and looked forward to its effective implementation with adequate and predictable financial resources assured by the developed countries.

Bolivia, on behalf of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC), commended the COP27 process for being transparent and inclusive, adding that it welcomed most of the decisions adopted, including the loss and damage fund and “looked forward to the fund being resourced adequately to serve our people.” It also highlighted some of its key observations at this COP and the implications.

“Over the years, we have seen efforts by our partners to erode the basic principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) in the decisions; however, we were rather taken aback by our partners’ approach this time round,” stressed the LMDC, elaborating that, “We have been given the impression that it is unfashionable to talk about equity and CBDR. In every negotiating room, equity has been questioned and efforts were made to dilute CBDR. At the 30th anniversary of the Convention, our Partners raised questions around the meaning of equity; objected to its reference in decision texts; tried to expand the donor base and shift their finance support obligations to the private sector and developing countries. Annex I Parties to the Convention have tried to alter the fundamental principles, which they are also signatory to.”

Bolivia also called out that it has heard a lot about saving the planet, its peoples, ambition and 1.5°C, but “the words do not match actions” adding that “As the Sharm el-Sheikh COP takes us into the era of implementation, it is time to leave the optics aside and focus on real ambition.” The LMDC said further that the net zero by 2050 targets are “unambitious, inequitable” and “will not get us to 1.5°C”.

“…net zero by 2050 targets for the developed countries, who have occupied the larger share of the atmospheric space since 1850, is not the answer. To pursue efforts to keep temperature rise to 1.5°C would mean even more finance, technology and capacity building support for developing countries, but where is that support? Where is that ambition? It is unfortunate that there is no appetite to provide that support,” lamented Bolivia further.

It stressed further that “there are unfulfilled commitments of USD 100 billion per year by 2020, and unfulfilled pledges to the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund, but these are lost in the din of optics and applause”.

“Let it be known that by questioning equity and CBDR, the developed countries have implicitly stated that the lives of our peoples are “negotiable”. They are not. And we will continue to fight for them and their rights,” expressed Bolivia emphatically.

Zambia, speaking for the African Group commended the COP President on the manner that the conference was conducted to enable it to reach an “ambitious and balanced outcome”. Zambia believed that the decisions adopted today is a “ray of hope” and it expects that through this commitment, “the burden of the poorest may be minimized”.

On climate finance, it noted the failure of developed countries to meet the goal of mobilizing the USD 100 billion per year target by 2020, adding that the deliberations managed to build a deeper understanding of how the multilateral system can support the needs of developing countries on climate action.

On loss and damage, the African Group congratulated the COP President for “the breakthrough after 30 years of endeavour” to establish a new fund and funding arrangements to help developing countries that are particular vulnerable to the adverse effect of climate change, by providing, assisting and mobilising new and additional resources.

On adaptation, Zambia noted the progress made towards the establishment of a framework to guide the achievement of the GGA and the review of all the progress in achieving and enhancing adaptation action and support. It also noted that Parties agreed on a process to track the doubling of adaptation finance and it called for enhancing support for adaptation in developing countries, including the Adaptation Fund.

It ended by saying that, “history will judge us fairly” and that “Egypt has delivered; Africa has delivered” and “this is what we called an implementation COP.”

Antigua and Barbuda for the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) said that, “Today, COP27 took decisive action: Parties established a new loss and damage fund, here, and made history,” adding further that “This is the start of a new paradigm that truly accounts for the burdens of climate change…. Establishing this fund signals to the world that loss and damage will no longer solely be borne by those governments and people least responsible. Today is a step towards climate justice.”

“Consensus does not mean harmonious agreement and we acknowledge the flexibility shown by all Parties. In particular, we commend the G77/ China and its Chair and the 194 members for the solidarity and resolve that made this momentous outcome possible,” stressed Antigua and Barbuda. It however warned that “This is not the end of the road” and that “Our journey is just beginning”.

It called on Parties to “work constructively to design and operationalize this fund over the next 12 months. It must be ready by the next COP. Parties should elect members to the Transitional Committee (formed to create the fund) immediately and give clear mandates to get the work done.”

Senegal, on behalf of the Least Developing Countries (LDC) also commended the efforts to devise an effective institutional structure of the SNLD and urged the developed countries to provide finance to galvanize technical assistance for the implementation of relevant approaches for averting, minimize and addressing loss and damage at the local, national and regional level in developing countries. It also commended the decision to establish funding arrangements for loss and damage and the establishment of a Transitional Committee on the operationalization of the new funding arrangements for responding to loss and damage.

In the context of the financial arrangements, Senegal called for new additional public funding and support from developed countries which will allow developing countries, especially LDCs, to scale further ambition in line with the 1.5°C trajectory. It further stressed on the need to help LDCs develop and implement NAPs and is pleased with the decision towards establishing a framework for the GGA.

It also reiterated the importance to define climate finance and hopes that the USD 100 billion per year target will be achieved and major progress is made on doubling funds for adaptation between now and 2025.

Saudi Arabia on behalf of Arab Group emphasized that the Convention stressed the need to address emissions and not the origin of emissions. It also said that technology transfer, funding and capacity building are essential to allow developing countries to honour their commitments in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

India said “the world has waited far too long” for the funding arrangement on loss and damage and congratulated the President for his untiring effort to secure this consensus. It also welcomed the inclusion of the need for sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption and production in the cover decision, and also noted that there is a work programme on just transition. It said that “For most developing countries, just transition cannot be equated with decarbonisation, but with low carbon development,” explaining that “developing countries need independence in their choice of energy mix to achieve sustainable development goals” and therefore, “developed countries taking the lead in climate action is a very important aspect in the global just transition”.

Barbados said that there was a great philosophical chasm on how we would approach the issues, particularly in relation to loss and damage before the start of COP27 and appreciated both sides of the divide who took the leap to put in a text after 30 years of struggle on this issue of loss and damage.

Australia spoke on behalf of Iceland, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Ukraine, Japan, Norway and the United States in the Umbrella group and said that we have made historical progress including in having a fund and also for a broad range of ways to provide support for developing countries, particularly vulnerable countries, in responding to loss and damage. It also welcomed the progress made to operationalize the Santiago Network. On mitigation, Australia said the group expressed great concern with the UNFCCC synthesis report on NDCs, which indicated that we are not on track to achieve the Paris Agreement goal, and aligning this trajectory will require urgent acceleration of efforts. On finance, the group said it will continue its work to ensure its reporting and the work of Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) reflecting high quality climate finance and in reaching the USD 100 billion goal as soon as possible.

The European Union (EU) expressed disappointment saying that “This is a make-or-break decade but what we have in front of us is not enough of the step forward for people and planet”, adding that there is not enough effort for “major emitters” to increase and accelerate their emission cuts, among others. ‘It does not bring a higher degree of confidence that we will achieve commitments made under the Paris Agreement and Glasgow last year and does not address the gap between climate science and climate policy. It said further that “the EU tries to bridge this gap by fully aligning with the 1.5 C target and even being able to update our NDCs.” The EU wanted to see reference to global emissions peaking by 2025, with clear statement to phase out unabated fossil fuels, saying that more than 80 countries supported this goal but expressed sadness that this was not being reflected.

The EU added that the mitigation work programme does not block the path to 1.5 C but “unnecessary barriers” were being put in a way that “allow Parties to hide from their responsibility,” saying further that it “will not stop fighting for more and will be holding ourselves and everyone here accountable”. It said further that many Parties were “not ready” (to do more) and that “there were too many attempts to even roll back from [the decisions adopted] in Glasgow”.  It said that some are afraid of the transition ahead and asked them “to find the courage to overcome that fear”, adding that the EU would lend a helping hand. It stressed further that “this deal is not enough on mitigation” but the EU did not walk away and kill a fund that the AOSIS, the Independent Alliance for Latin American and Caribbean (AILAC) and the LDCs fought so hard for decades.  It also wanted a conversation about expanding the sources of funding to open a whole new chapter on loss and damage and bridge the gap between those in need and those who can contribute to address the need. It called for the momentum made in Glasgow to be regained as preparations are made for COP 28.

The United Kingdom (who was represented by COP 26 President Alok Sharma) said that it recognized the progress on loss and damage which is historic and the decision has a potential to support and increase the support for the most vulnerable, given the scale and range of needs which will require contributions from the widest range of sources and Parties. Sharma also lamented that “This is not a moment of unqualified celebration; emissions peaking before 2025 as the science tells us is necessary and (is) not in this text; clear follow-through on phase down of coal (is) not in this text; clear commitment to phase out of fossil fuel (is) not in this text and the energy text (was) weakened in the final minute.”

New Zealand said while it has not always been at the front leading on the loss and damage issue but it came to this COP with money on the table, given the need to make progress and also because countries are already suffering from the effects of climate change and encountering loss of lives and livelihood and cultural asset.

All of the Parties expressed gratitude and appreciation to the COP27 President and his team for their efforts.