Bonn Climate Change Conference comes to a close as COP 27 draws closer

Progress since COP26

As COP27 draws closer, what progress has been made since COP26 took place in November? – Commitments to reducing emissions are the focal point in this assessment.

Emissions

September is the deadline for countries to submit their ambitious climate plans with the main focus on reducing emissions. Disappointingly, only 11 out of the 196 countries have managed to do so, with COP27 hosts Egypt and India (one of the highest emitters globally) falling into this list. Although China who contributes to over a quarter of the world’s emissions, have experienced a continued reduction in emissions since summer 2021, their longest decline in over a decade.

Alex Scott from E3G said, “I think we’ll see the Bonn talks as a real test whether political will is just words”.

Agreement to phase out coal was a significant outcome of COP26. Concerningly India announced an increase in coal production and the reopening of 100 plants earlier this year. But in the first quarter of 2022, India expanded its solar power potential by adding over 3 gigawatts to its capacity. That's roughly a fifth of the UK's entire solar installation, in just three months.

Burning fossil fuels account for over two-thirds of the world’s total CO2 emissions. Oil and gas subsidies contribute to lowering the price of fossil fuels. World leaders committed to phase-out inefficient oil and gas subsidies and there are now34 countries compared to 41 countries (at the start of last year)  giving consideration to new coal plants.

Deforestation

At COP26 a promise to stop deforestation by 2030 was made with over 100 countries committing to this. Earlier this year US President Joe Biden signed off an order to help safeguard forests within Government land.

However, deforestation in Brazil has increased significantly compared to last year and Russia faced a tough wildfire season, losing around 6 million hectares of forests last year.

Climate funding

In terms of financing climate action, the UK, France, Germany and Japan are matching or providing more than needed.

The EU, US, Canada, and Australia have increased funding pledges, but more spending is required to support developing nations who look to steer away from fossil fuels and prepare for the damaging effects climate change brings.

Russian invasion causing concerning climate commitments

As the war in Ukraine continues, the impacts could hinder progress.US envoy on climate change John Kerry said, “if countries extend their reliance on coal in response to the war, then we are cooked”

Dr Svitana Krakovska said, “oil and gas were the enablers of war”.She told the BBC, “So this is the point for everybody to just think about this and use this opportunity to stop using so much energy and think about our way of life.”

Bonn conference to bolster COP27 potential

The aim of the talks in Bonn is to support and ensure that the 27^th climate conference (COP27) in Egypt later this year can be as successful as possible. otherwise, the damaging effects of climate change will become irreversible. Establishing and agreeing on an ambitious agenda for COP27 is critical throughout the negotiations.

The UK Met Office has indicated that there’s now a fifty-fifty chance of temporarily going past the temperature threshold in the next five years, which indicates the importance of COP27 being successful in addressing the issues causing and contributing to the climate crisis the world is facing.

Sources

UNFCCC : https://unfccc.int/news/bonn-climate-change-conference-to-lay-groundwork-for-success-at-cop27-0  

BBC News: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61659620