REMEMBERING COP27 OF 2022

COP27 is the 27th annual United Nations (UN) climate summit where governments agree on steps to limit global temperature rises. It took place in Sharm el-Sheikh until 18 November 2022.

Sharm el-Sheikh is a resort town on the southeastern coast of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It is located on a promontory overlooking the Straits of Tiran at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. Its strategic importance led to its transformation from a fishing village into a major port and naval base for the Egyptian Navy. This location is ironic, as it faces the threats of rising sea levels, desertification and water scarcity because of climate change.

The 2022 COP27 which took place in Egypt had urgent priorities as mitigation, adaptation, finance and collaboration. Here we focus on key topics which deserve more attention as we seek to find climate change solutions.

The first key topic was reducing emissions. This is an important area because it is the key driver of climate change. The world needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This will require a rapid transition to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. This is not only good for the environment but also for the economy and social justice, as it can create jobs, reduce poverty and improve health. We are now over 200days past the COP27, and the big question is; So far, how far?

The second key topic was helping countries to prepare for and deal with climate change. This is important because climate change is already happening and will continue to happen even if we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Countries need to be prepared for the impacts of climate change, such as more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, floods and storms. These impacts can affect food security, health, infrastructure, biodiversity and human rights. Countries need to adapt to these changes by building resilience, enhancing capacity, and fostering innovation. We are now over 200days past the COP27, and the big question is; So far, how far?

The third key topic was securing technical support and funding for developing countries for the above. This is important because developing countries are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change but often lack the resources to adapt. Developed countries have a responsibility to provide financial and technical support to help developing countries adapt to climate change. This is not only a moral duty but also a strategic interest, as climate change can exacerbate conflicts, migration and instability. Countries need to cooperate and collaborate to address this global challenge. We are now over 200days past the COP27, and the big question is; So far how far?

One of the most important topics at COP27 was 'loss and damage', or 'climate reparations'. Developing countries are at the frontline of the climate crisis, facing the loss of life and serious economic damages despite their historically low greenhouse gas emissions. The implementation summit calls its hot topic the implementation of “Loss and Damage” which demanded special funds to address loss and damage. This fund should compensate or fix the polluters, who have done harm and damage.

Climate finance will again be a key topic at COP28, with a significant number of scheduled discussions and linkages with most agenda items. Developed countries will be pressed to reassure sufficient and adequate financial support to developing countries — in particular, to those most vulnerable to climate impacts. This is not only a moral obligation but also a legal responsibility under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement.

COP27 was such an important event that if well implemented, it could have a positive impact on us by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping countries prepare for and deal with climate change. This will help limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and reduce the impacts of climate change such as more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, floods and storms.

It is good that during the COP27, the key topics that deserve more attention were addressed in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change on people's lives. These topics include reducing emissions, helping countries prepare for and deal with climate change, securing technical support and funding for developing countries for the above, loss and damage, and climate finance.

The world needs to act now to address climate change. COP27 was an opportunity to take action and find solutions that will help protect our planet for future generations. By working together, we can make a difference and create a better future for ourselves and our children.

Climate change is already having devastating impacts on people's lives, from more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, floods and storms to rising sea levels and loss of biodiversity. If we don't take action now, these impacts will only get worse.

COP27 was an opportunity for countries to take bold action and find solutions that would help protect our planet for future generations. This includes reducing emissions, helping countries prepare for and deal with climate change and necessary control measures, securing technical support and funding for developing countries for the above, loss and damage, and climate finance.

We all have a role to play in addressing climate change. Whether you are an individual, a business or a government, there are things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and help protect our planet. This includes reducing energy consumption, using renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power, driving less or using public transport, eating less meat and dairy products, planting trees and supporting policies that promote environmental and climatic sustainability. We are now over 200days past the COP27, and the big question is; So far how far?

We need not keep waiting for the government and other relevant institutions as they play tantrums behind mountains of bureaucratic bottlenecks that negate pro-active developmental actions. Let us all rise and save earth! It is our planet. We have no other that we can call our own. Together we can make a difference and create a better future for ourselves and our children. Let's take action now to address climate change and protect our planet.

In conclusion, as I have already portrayed, the 2022 COP27 must find the necessary dedication to implement all the discussed dire needed solutions for climate change. The key topics that deserve more attention include reducing emissions, helping countries prepare for and deal with climate change, securing technical support and funding for developing countries for the above, loss and damage, and climate finance. It is important to note that these topics were properly discussed but need to be dutifully and expeditiously addressed by implementation in order to mitigate the impacts of climate change on people's lives.

References :

un.org, news.un.org, theguardian.com, zawya.com, africaintelligence.comn, msn.com.