COP27 begins with great challenges

Efforts remain insufficient to limit global temperature rise by the end of the century

06.11.2022 | 15:12 (UTC -3)

The United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 opened with the main objective of ensuring the full implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Discussions at COP27 begin near the end of a year that has seen devastating floods and unprecedented heatwaves, severe droughts and formidable storms, all unmistakable signs of the unfolding climate emergency.

At the same time, millions of people around the world are facing the impacts of simultaneous energy, food, water and cost of living crises, compounded by severe conflicts and geopolitical tensions. In this adverse context, some countries began to halt or reverse climate policies and doubled their use of fossil fuels.

COP27 is also taking place against the backdrop of inadequate ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, CO2 emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030, compared with 2010 levels, to meet the Paris Agreement's central objective of limiting temperature rise to 1,5 .XNUMX degrees Celsius by the end of this century. This is crucial to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, including more frequent and severe droughts, heat waves and rain.

A report published by UN Climate Change ahead of COP27 shows that while countries are bending the global greenhouse gas emissions curve downward, efforts remain insufficient to limit global temperature rise to 1,5 degrees Celsius by the end from the __ century.

Since COP26 in Glasgow, only 29 of the 194 countries have come forward with more rigorous national plans.

"With the Paris rulebook essentially completed thanks to COP26 in Glasgow last year, the litmus test of this and every future COP is the extent to which deliberations are accompanied by action. Everyone, every day, in every part of the world world, must do everything in their power to prevent the climate crisis," said Simon Stiell, UN Executive Secretary for Climate Change.

"COP27 sets a new direction for a new era of implementation: where the results of the formal and informal process truly begin to come together to drive greater climate progress – and accountability for that progress," said Stiell.

In his opening speech, the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary called on governments to focus on three critical areas at COP27. The first is a transformative shift towards implementing the Paris Agreement and turning negotiations into concrete action.

The second is to cement progress in the critical work streams of mitigation, adaptation, finance, and loss and damage, while scaling up financing, notably to address the impacts of climate change.

The third is to improve the application of the principles of transparency and accountability throughout the UN Climate Change process.

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(a) matter about the subject;

(B) o Paris Agreement;

(C) signatures and ratifications of the Paris Agreement.

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