‘…there is no doubt that the commitments we secured at COP26 were historic. Yet at the moment they are just words on a page…’
COP President, Alok Sharma, has used a Chatham House event to set out ‘four key priorities’ for the UK Presidency ahead of COP27 which will be held in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, 7 - 18 November 2022 ‘My absolute focus for the UK Presidency year is delivery.’ Sharma said.
The key priorities include ensuring that ‘Countries reduce emissions, as promised, and go further to keep 1.5 alive,’ Sharma said, adding: ‘It means urging all governments to honour the Glasgow Climate Pact and revisit and strengthen their 2030 emissions reductions targets as necessary.’ Highlighting the industrialised nations Sharma said; ‘The G20 is my personal responsibility here; given that they are responsible for 80 percent of gobal emissions.’
The other priorities for the Presidency are the progression of work on adaptation and loss and damage, delivery of finance to support these efforts, and finally to ‘push for further action across critical sectors, such as coal, cars and ending deforestation.’
Urging countries to act Sharma said; ‘…We will work with partners to turn promises into clear delivery plans: through the Energy Transition Council, the Zero Emissions Vehicle Transition Council, the FACT [Forest Agriculture and Commodity Trade] Dialogue, and the Breakthrough Agenda. In all of this we will work hand-in-hand with our COP27 Partner Egypt and support the holder of COP28, the UAE…’
Commenting on the Glasgow Climate Pact Sharma said; ‘The Glasgow Climate Pact is a product of international cooperation and a practical demonstration of Global Britain in action…All in all, there is no doubt that the commitments we secured at COP26 were historic. Yet, at the moment they are just words on a page. And unless we honour the promises made, to turn the commitments in the Glasgow Climate Pact into action, they will wither on the vine.’
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