World Climate Conference: Between Success And Disappointment – S Chronicles

It is often asked why annual climate conferences are still necessary. But “multilateralism is alive and well,” says Renate Christ, a climate scientist and former head of the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). She herself was present at the negotiations – this year for the 25th time. It is very clear that, due to past international negotiations, there has been a “certain reduction in emissions”.

However, the climate issue also “came to the top and became a top priority”. This is demonstrated, for example, by the fact that several heads of state and government were present at the climate conference. E: Almost all industrialized countries are now on the progressive side when it comes to climate protection. Furthermore, despite great resistance, the target of 1.5 degrees is being met. These are all “developments that should not be underestimated,” Christ said Monday at an online press conference of “Scientists for Future” and “Diskurs, das Wissenschaftsnetz.”

Portal/Mohamed Abd El Ghany The biggest success of the talks was agreement on a fund to offset climate-related damage

“Important signal” for climate justice

Risk researcher Reinhard Mechler of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) also received praise. The “surprising” agreement to establish a climate-related relief fund (“Loss and Damage”) for the poorest countries is an important building block in the architecture of climate change measures.

This is a demand that countries of the Global South and island states in particular have been making for decades. Such a fund could not only close a huge gap in climate protection, but also send an “important signal” for climate justice.

Relief Fund Specialist: Cannot Replace Human Lives

Christ spoke of great success with this form of climate finance, as it was a step that built trust between countries in the Global South and North.

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COP27 commitment leaves many questions unanswered

In fact, climate justice is a debate fought primarily between the global North and South. Data on global emissions show that it is mainly the countries of the Global North that are responsible for most of the global CO2 emissions. Depending on the calculation, the top three places in the world’s biggest climate sinners are shared by China, the US and the EU.

However, both experts pointed out that there were still many unanswered questions about the fund – for example, who would have to pay how much to whom. Details will be worked out by experts next year, and concrete decisions could be taken at the next climate conference. But it is also clear to Christ: “The losses and damages are not only of a material nature, but also losses of human life. And no fund can replace that. As good as dated.”

Portal/Mohamed Abd El Ghany Young climate activists call on officials to meet 1.5 degree target

No way out of oil and gas ‘regrettable’

It is even more urgent to reach the 1.5 degree target – that is, not to exceed the pre-industrial temperature level by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100. However, this would require enormous efforts and all countries to improve their national climate protection plans, according to Christ. She criticizes that in this year’s final declaration, states are only asked “in weak language” to improve their climate plans by the next conference – without any obligation.

Again, the final COP document does not contain an oil and gas exit scenario, although this has been requested by the EU, NGOs and science. Because? Here the oil and gas business of the present and the future #ZIB CLIMATE Magazine. Totally incompatible with 1.5https://t.co/4lJkCO6Dxj

—Gerhard Maier (@GerhardMaier_) November 21, 2022

The output of oil and gas is also not included in the final document. “Regrettable”, as the two experts told ORF.at. Several Arab states in particular have slowed down here, according to Christ. Although the importance of renewable energies was emphasized, at the same time there was a “definite refusal” by countries to make concessions in the choice of their energy sources.

For Mechler, the absence of oil and gas in the final declaration was depressing, but to be expected. “In an energy crisis, it’s not surprising that gas and oil don’t show up,” Mechler said, referring to the war in Ukraine. According to Christ, he was also the one who, like the “great elephant in the room”, hindered ambitious steps.

Climate conference: Commitment leaves many questions unanswered

At the UN climate conference in Sharm al-Sheikh, after years of struggle, a relief fund for climate-related damage in particularly vulnerable states was launched. However, clarification of core disputes has been delayed, for example which countries should pay cash.

Target of 1.5 degrees still achievable?

But in the context of all these missing resolutions, is the 1.5 degree target still within reach? Climate experts are skeptical, as it is becoming “harder and more unrealistic” from year to year. However, it is important to stick to it and increase pressure for appropriate emission reduction measures to be taken, says Christ, for example. For Melcher, the goal is far away, humanity is currently heading towards an increase of up to 2.5 degrees, but 1.5 degrees are possible – at least for the time being.

If Austria wants to meet this target but continues as before, the greenhouse gas budget will be exhausted by mid-2025, as experts have calculated. The Austrian Center for Climate Change (CCCA) points out that the government’s plan would actually be to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Austria to “net zero” by 2040 – more on that at science.ORF.at.