EIA is in Egypt for the big CoP27 UN climate summit – and it’s time to galvanise drastic action!
It’s that time of year again when all eyes turn to the climate crisis as world leaders, negotiators, campaigning organisations and industry pour into Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, for the CoP27 climate summit.
The event officially got under way yesterday (6 November) – but just what is CoP27 and what’s going to be happening there?
What?
CoP27 is the 27th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The meeting has been held annually since 1995 (last year in Glasgow) and is where countries gather to decide on global action to mitigate climate change as well as decisions on adaptation to climate change and loss and damage.
Loss and damage has made it onto the agenda so we are hoping for productive discussions on who should pay for climate damage and how. CoP is the time to review national commitments and emissions inventories as well as financial needs to combat climate change.
CoP27 will also host a plethora of side events by governments, NGOs, industry, youth and indigenous representatives, among others, with more than 38,000 delegates registered to attend the event.
When?
CoP27 opened yesterday and will take place over two weeks until 18 November, with the high-level sessions for world leaders being held for the first two days before national delegates and negotiators take over.
CoP27 gets under way in Egypt
Where?
Sharm El Sheikh is hosting CoP27. Negotiations and most official side events take place in the Blue Zone, which requires badges and accreditation to enter. There is also the Green Zone, which is open to the public and will have exhibitions, workshops and talks from businesses, academia, artists and civil societies.
Why?
Action to drastically reduce emissions is still way off track keeping us on the path to climate breakdown. The past few weeks has seen the publication of a number of big climate reports showing just how much work is still needed to avert climate catastrophe.
The Emissions Gap report shows that with current policies, we are on track for 2.4-2.8°C of warming by 2100. This is way above the 1.5°C pathway and even the 2°C pathway pledged under the Paris Agreement.
The UN climate Change Assessment showed we are nowhere near the scale or pace of emissions-reduction needed for 1.5°C. Emissions are set to rise 10.6 per cent by 2030 from 2010 levels. This is in contrast to the 45 per cent cut in emissions needed for 1.5°C.
The World Meteorological Organisation found that concentrations of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane in the atmosphere reached record highs in 2021, with methane experiencing the biggest year-on-year jump since records began.
The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook has projected peak demand for fossil fuels is in sight, with demand starting to decline steadily from the mid-2020s; however, the decline is not fast enough to limit warming to 1.5°C. CoP27 must galvanise governments and business to take urgent and drastic action to get back on track.
EIA at CoP27
EIA campaigners will be present in the Blue Zone of CoP27 following negotiations to collaborate with other civil society organisations, attend side events and push the issues we work on up the agenda.
We will also be hosting and speaking at side events on methane and on refrigerant banks. Keep your eyes peeled for more information on these events and how to attend or stream them live.
Follow us for updates on our main Twitter account @EIA_News, on our specialist climate Twitter account @EIAClimateUK_EU and right here on the website for daily insights and takeaways.
