SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt – The 27th Conference of the Parties may still be six days away from concluding, but negotiators and observers are no longer optimistic that a good deal that would benefit developing countries will emerge from deliberations.
Climate challenge-induced challenges in the United States, in Europe and the political instability in Eastern Europe, have been cited by experts as hindrances to the provision of funds by the developed world to support developing countries to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change such as floods, cyclones, irregular rainfall patterns and excessive heat.
Presenting at a side event organised by Botswana at the COP 27, Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Mangaliso Ndlovu, said developed countries seem disinterested in dealing with the climate change crisis.
“Just imagine if we came here and the biggest polluters; US and China, made a presentation to say “over the last 12 months, we have reduced our pollution by 15 percent,” said Minister Ndlovu.
“Imagine what this will do to the world and to the cause of climate change. Imagine if the biggest polluters came and said “we know that our development trajectories have affected you so much. We have put in so much money for you, first to address the losses you are suffering, and to help you in the transition process.
“The only difference between Sharm El-Sheikh (COP 27) and Glasgow (COP 26) is the venues. Otherwise, the rhetoric is still the same and we will leave with so many promises, so many commitments and come to the next meeting in Dubai next year, the elephant is still in the room.”
In an interview, Director for Climate Change Management Department in the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Mr Washington Zhakata, said the US and Europe were taking advantage of their own challenges to decline to support developing countries “although they benefit from our minerals resources”.
Asked if COP 27 would have a different outcome that benefits developing countries, compared to previous conferences, Mr Zhakata said developed countries were expected to double the US$500 million put into the Adaptation Fund, but no one seems keen to talk about it now.
“It is so quiet; no one is coming forth to talk about doubling adaptation funds so it means we are going to be disappointed in terms of the issues of adaptation funding, as compared to Glasgow where we clapped hands and ululated because there were so many pledges in the Adaptation Fund to the tune of almost US$500 million,” he said.
In terms of mitigation, Mr Zhakata said issues to do with just transition pertaining to the phasing down of coal that was initiated at COP 26 in Glasgow, was supposed to be fiercely debated in Sharm El-Sheikh, but nothing has taken off.
Last year, developed countries pushed for a ban of coal in electricity generation due to its impact on the environment, but developing countries vehemently rejected the proposal saying the West had powered its industries with coal during the industrial revolution and prospered, but now want to impede the growth of African countries.
Said Mr Zhakata: “The decisions from this COP are going to be watered down in terms of mitigation, in terms of climate finance.
Once you water down those, automatically everything else that follows the finance portfolio will be prejudiced and will not find its way to implementation.
“I am not optimistic about this COP. I think this is a COP that will result in our disappointment especially in terms of financing because as a country, we already have in principle, a National Adaptation Plan that requires funding to ensure that at least our communities are more resilient.”
Ms Sara Grambs, who is representing Germany and Mongolia as an observer, said: “I would say that I expect a good deal is coming out of this COP because that is my expectation as a youth.
“But realistically speaking, since the Paris Agreement in 2015, we have not made progress that is significant enough and in the past days (at COP 27), especially the G77, the Global North; they didn’t appear as leaders of this negotiation and therefore, I lay my hope in countries of the Global South as change makers and the youth for an excellent treaty”.
Also asked if there could be a positive outcome from COP 27, a student at the United States’ Indiana University, Kara Lehner, who is at the conference as an observer, said: “I would say no. It doesn’t look very promising right now. I think it sounds like there is new language coming up now, some of the articles came out last week and it sounded like there were concerns, for example with Article 6.4’s language on oceans.
“I think it’s not promising but hopefully it will, but right now, there is nothing to suggest that a deal is coming.” Such is the story of the several climate conferences held so far. They promises too much in the build up, and deliver far too little on the ground, and with the rainy season fast approaching in Zimbabwe, the Department of Civil Protection Unit should prepare heavily to assist victims of heavy rains.
Highlights have been seen in Bulawayo, and particularly Kadoma, where trees have been felled, roofs blown off and roads flooded. – The Herald
