COP (Conference of the Parties) 27 is an international conference where political leaders reunite to debate and find adequate solutions to the climate change crisis. The conference is held under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The aim is also for countries to collaborate and establish a plan to respect Paris Agreement on climate change. Governments need to find an agreement that will help them in limiting global temperatures rise.
The conference is now more important than ever as climate progresses more and more.
Many academics as well as scientists are skeptical when it comes to the COP, since climate change is a broad issue, not every topic can be discussed at the annual conference and may have to be reported to the next year.
Those negotiations may seem to be long and costly, but many also agree that debates must take place and countries come together to try and find a solution.
International cooperation seems to be a step to be taken to combat climate change.
Since temperatures have risen to 1.1 c because of human activity. The goal is to prevent temperatures to rise to 1.5 c.
Climate change drastically changes the average weather conditions of a place and leads us toward a decline in water supplies, increased heat, biodiversity loss, and more risks of drought.
This year, the 27th conference took place in Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.
Almost 200 nations took part in the debates. This year the main goal was also to shift from negotiations to implementation.
What were the main subjects debated this year?
This year’s conference took place from the 6th of November to the 18th of November.
However, the conference is still running even after its deadline because of divisions between the representatives of the nation.
There are many areas of disagreement; finding a compromise between all of those countries seems to be excessively arduous.
Here are the main topics of discussion:
- Reducing fossil fuel use: reducing emissions by gradually stopping using coal (which is the most polluting fossil fuel)
- Avoid the dangerous impact of a 1.5 c rise by limiting it and not crossing it
- Prepare countries for climate change consequences
- Find financial and technical support for developing countries to help them reduce their emissions as well as help them face climate change consequences (The issue of loss and damage, richer countries are reluctant to finance poorer ones)
· There is a need for a new funding system to be established to help countries equip themselves against immediate climate change consequences;
· In 2009, developed countries were committed to giving $100bn a year to developing countries by 2020; to help them face climate change. However, as the goal wasn’t met, the target has been set to 2023.
What is the outcome of COP27?
A new agreement on the loss and damages issue has been reached. Funding will be provided to developing and poorer countries that face the strongest climate change consequences.
Moreover, many of the countries represented at the conference reaffirmed their commitment to limit the global temperature to rise to 1.5 c and to cut greenhouse emissions.
This funding arrangement is a breakthrough as it will allow developing countries to apprehend climate change effects better.
Progress has been made which showcases that many countries are still willing to fight climate change and find common ground.
What can you do to take action?
You can learn more about climate change, what it is, and what the main issues are, and share your ideas with others!
There are also many resources online on how to become more responsible and live a more sustainable life.
The University has put out a Sustainability Sub-Strategy and Climate Action plan to run from 2021 to 2026.
Cutting carbon emissions, educating staff and students on sustainability, ensuring education is delivered sustainably, enhancing green spaces, water management, travel, transport, food, drinks, the sustainability of buildings, and finances have been the main goals so far.
A Sustainable Essex program has been established to provide students with proper training on sustainability as well as showcase their commitment to the environment.
Students can also take part in many different projects on campus to know more about sustainability and how to implement it in their daily lives.
A list of advice on how to be more sustainable can be found on the University of Essex’s website.
The University of Essex is also a member of the United Nations Global Compact; one of the largest corporate sustainability initiatives.
Its aim is to act sustainably regarding a wide range of areas such as human rights, labor standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. The University is committed to adopting responsible business practices as well as commit to sustainability.