One of the world's main events on environment, COP 27 is the twenty-seventh edition of the "Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change" (UNFCCC). This time, the meeting took place in the city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
The first session (1995, in Berlin) already had the objective of establishing more sustainable goals in the face of the greenhouse effect. Since then, the COP has been held annually to discuss climate change and possibilities of cooperation to try to mitigate the resulting problems.
As this is a very important theme for Abundance Brasil, we have gathered here the main highlights to make a summary of what happened at COP27. Check it out!
The focus remains the same
Containing the effects of climate change continues to be a major concern and the central point of the debate, considering the targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The issue has been addressed throughout the previous editions and the challenge is that the commitments are actually fulfilled.
In 2021, COP 26 resulted in a document called Implementation of the Glasgow Climate Pact, which called for a review of carbon reduction targets by 2030 by all countries that signed. The use of fossil fuels is still a huge burden, and despite the consensus regarding climate urgency, few decisions have been made.
Losses and damages
The topic of "Loss and Damage" was of great importance in this issue. Some of the most vulnerable countries are demanding compensation for the damage caused by climate effects, such as rising sea levels in their territories and heavy rains and droughts. Although they do not emit much carbon, they suffer from this type of problem and demand international help.
On climate finance for the most vulnerable, there was no definition, other than the idea that the impasse needs to be resolved. The European Union, for example, has proposed that a special fund be created to help these nations, provided that it is financed by a "broad base of donors," including emerging countries that emit a lot of gases (such as China).
Themes present at COP 27
The program was intense throughout the days, with panels that stimulated debates relevant to the world's population. Some of the themes that guided the panels were:
- Deforestation in Brazilian biomes, especially in the Amazon.
- Sustainable agriculture and adoption of sustainable practices in agribusiness.
- Food security, especially for the least developed countries.
- Carbon credit market and the guarantee of a greener future.
- Energy transition.
- Impacts of climate change on biodiversity.
- Gender equality and women's participation in climate change adaptation.
- Adaptation and resilience to transformations promoted by climate change.
Brazilian participation
President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attended the event to reinforce Brazil's interest in actively participating in the climate movement. According to him, "there is no climate security for the world without a protected Amazon. We will spare no effort to zero deforestation and degradation of our biomes by 2030.
He also talked about the creation of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, which will act to protect indigenous communities in Brazil, and took the opportunity to pressure the more developed countries about their commitments to the planet.
COP 30 in Brazil?
In his speech, Lula also commented on his desire to hold COP 30 in Brazil, in the Amazon region. If this is confirmed, in 2025 we will be able to host the event:
"I think it's very important that people who defend the Amazon, who defend the climate, know up close what that region is. [It's a way for] people to discuss from a concrete reality, not just through readings."
What is known so far is that the next edition will take place in the United Arab Emirates in 2023. Once again, the host country will be in the Middle East, which is one of the most vulnerable regions to global warming.
As a result, we have had the confirmation of the goal to limit global warming by 1.5°C, but several questions remain open about how to achieve this goal more effectively. Such a figure was set in the Paris Agreement in 2015, when predictions reached 4.5°C of warming by the end of the century. Despite efforts to reduce estimates and promote decarbonization, greenhouse gas emissions are still considerable and we cannot say that it will be easy to keep warming to 1.5°C.
Any doubt that we need to green the planet?
If you enjoyed our summary of COP 27, take a moment to find out "Why buy trees and contribute to environmental restoration?" This is everyone's responsibility!
