Historic United Nations climate agreement
everything you need to know
The United Nations summit ended yesterday with a historic agreement to finance poor countries in dealing with the effects of climate change. However, not everything is rosy as no agreement was reached to further reduce greenhouse emissions.
Talks in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh came close to breaking down several times, but the countries managed to find a way to work together. It took two additional days of 24-hour negotiations before the countries’ weary representatives could applaud the signing of the deal.
The final COP27 decision maintained the 1.5 degree Celsius target, while including for the first time a reference to renewable energy sources while reducing fossil sources. However, it does not differ in any way from last year’s COP26 decision in Glasgow. The European Commissioner said the European Union was disappointed, adding that more than 80 nations supported a stronger pledge to cut emissions. The German Foreign Minister was irritated that the reduction in emissions had been blocked by a number of big polluters and oil producers.
Developing nations have managed to secure funding from the richest polluters. The Alliance of Small Island States, which is made up of islands whose existence is threatened by rising sea levels, said the agreement was historic.
The COP27 agreements are a victory for the whole world. We showed those who felt neglected that we hear you, see you and give you the respect and care you deserve.
The funding is aimed at developing countries which ” are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change “.
The historic COP27 decision shows that international cooperation is possible. Likewise, the renewed commitment to the 1.5 degree Celsius limit is a source of relief. However, none of this changes the fact that the world remains on the brink of climate catastrophe.
