As COPs are the largest and most important annual climate-related conferences on the planet.
ADVERTISING
In 1992, the United Nations (UN) organized ECO-92 in Rio de Janeiro. The event marked the adoption of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Unfccc) – known as the UN Climate Convention – and the agency that would coordinate. It was then that the UN Climate Change Secretariat was implemented.
In this treaty, nations agreed to “stabilize concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to prevent dangerous interference from human activity in the climate system.” So far, 197 parties have signed the document.
Since 1994, when the treaty came into force, every year the UN has brought together almost every country on the planet for global climate summits or “COPs”.
ADVERTISING
But do you know what COP means?
COP is the acronym in English for Conference of the Parties, the official name of the bodies responsible for international treaties within the UN.
For some years now, the name COP has referred to the annual meeting at which issues related to the UN Climate Convention are decided.
The first meeting took place in Berlin, Germany, in 1995. The name COP is always accompanied by a number indicating the edition. This year's conference will be the 27th (there was no COP in 2020 because of the pandemic).
During these meetings, nations negotiated several extensions of the original treaty to set limits on polluting gas emissions. For example, the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 and the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015, in which all countries in the world agreed to step up efforts to try to limit the global warming to 1,5°C above pre-industrial temperatures and increase climate action financing.
When and where will the next edition be held?
A COP27 will be held between November 6th and 22nd, 2022 in the resort of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt.
Who participates in the COP?
The official event is attended by technicians, diplomats and national authorities, who are responsible for negotiations and official approvals. Some non-governmental organizations follow the discussions as “observers”.
ADVERTISING
How is COP27 different from other COPs?
At COP26 in Glasgow, countries agreed to deliver stronger commitments this year, including updated national plans with more ambitious targets. However, only 23 out of 193 countries have submitted their plans to the UN so far.
There were also many promesses made inside and outside the negotiating rooms in relation to net-zero commitments, forest protection and climate financing, among many other issues.
According to presidential vision statement (*), COP27 will be about exiting the negotiations and “planning the implementation” of all these promethese done.
ADVERTISING
What will be the main topics debated at COP27?
- Mitigation: How are countries reducing their emissions?
Refers to efforts to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases. Mitigation may mean using new technologies and renewable energy sources.
- Adaptation: How will countries adapt and help others do the same?
Climate change is here. In addition to doing everything possible to reduce emissions and slow the pace of global warming, countries must also adapt to climate consequences so that they can protect their citizens.
The COP27 Presidency expects nations to capture and measure their progress to increase resilience and help the most vulnerable communities.
ADVERTISING
Last year, developed countries agreed to at least double funding for adaptation, and many stakeholders are calling for even more.
- Climate Finance: the star of the moment
Climate finance will be the main theme of COP27. Developing countries call on developed countries to ensure sufficient and adequate financial support, particularly for the most vulnerable.
Much will probably be heard about the promeThis annual requirement of US$ 100 billion from developed nations is not being met. In 2009, in Copenhagen, rich countries came togetherpromehad with this funding, but official reports still show that this target is being missed. Experts hope that COP27 will actually make this promeThis will finally be a reality, in 2023.
- Losses and damages: point of tension between rich and poor countries
This involves demanding financial compensation for losses already suffered due to climate change, such as forced migrations or losses of arable land.
Other topics are also on the agenda, such as carbon market and war in ukraine.
(with information UN News)
O Brazil at COP27
Brazil has a very important role to play this year. It will be an opportunity to begin to regain credibility with the international community.
Given the records of deforestation in the Amazon and the federal government's disregard for the environmental agenda and climate change mitigation policies, COP27 could serve as a “milestone” – which will show the world how Brazil will respond to the climate crisis we are experiencing. .
It is worth remembering that the president-elect, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has already confirmed his presence at the event, saying that Brazil “is ready to resume its leading role in the fight against the climate crisis” and that the next government will “fight for zero deforestation in the Amazon ”.
Follow coverage Curto News and stay up to date with everything that will be discussed at COP27.
Curto curation:
- COP27: What is the Egypt climate conference and why is it important? (with the BBC*)
- What is COP27? And other questions about the big UN Climate Summit (The New York Times*)
(🚥): may require registration and/or signature
(🇬🇧): content in English
(*): content in other languages is translated by Google Tradutor
