Learning from failed COP26, expecting from COP27

The COP27 climate conference is already underway in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Before we delve into what we can expect from it, let’s look back at last year’s COP26 and why it ended up being widely criticized as non-inclusive and superficial.

COP26 earned a reputation as the most exclusionary COP ever for a number of reasons. Firstly, poor organization meant it did not have enough room for all its 40,000 registered participants: venue capacity was limited to just 10,000 people. Furthermore, insufficient wheelchair access meant it also failed to include people with disabilities, like Israel’s energy minister. Meanwhile, the attendance of various business leaders from wealthy countries saw Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, use his own private jet to travel to Glasgow, Scotland, from the US.

Wealthy nations’ continued delay of financial aid

Another disappointment of COP26 was that wealthy countries failed to address the financial needs of poorer countries and regions, which are already bearing the brunt of climate change-related loss and damage that has been caused overwhelmingly by first-world emissions. Despite a pledge made in 2010 to provide annual financial support of $100 billion by 2020, wealthy countries made no financial commitment to address that damage or to fund measures to adapt to changing climate conditions.

By the end of the conference, they agreed to continue making efforts to achieve the financial support goal of $100 billion per year by 2025. It is easy to make promises when you keep on not keeping them. Will this pledge, made in 2010 — for money that is needed to help people now — be realized this time?

Japan’s sly offer of financial support

Speaking of rich countries, Japan still ranks among them. It has the world’s 4th largest economy and is the 9th biggest nation in terms of historic emissions. So, it certainly is obliged to take responsibility via financial support for nations affected by climate change. During COP26, Japan pledged a maximum of $10 billion in financial support for developing countries over the next five years and also pledged to develop a “zero-emission” thermal power generation system.

Since we will look at the zero-emission thermal power system in another article, here, let’s focus on the financial support. The wording of the pledge was sly. “A maximum of $10 billion” basically means that providing any amount of financial support below $10 billion to developing countries over the next five years fulfills the pledge, whether it’s a billion, a million, or even less. It sounds less like financial support and more like a gambling company’s advert saying that you can win up to 2 million dollars with a slot game.

The many doubts and wavering hope caused by COP26

COP26 left us with so many questions and doubts: Will national leaders agree on specific and realistic targets during any future COPs? Do any developed countries have the intention to actually help vulnerable countries and their people? Who truly cares about our planet and future generations?

The vision for COP27 emphasizes the implementation of international agreements and the intention to leave no country or group behind in climate action. It appears to be based on the failures of COP26. Unfortunately, there are already concerns about these issues.

Brought to you by a repressive government and a top polluter

Firstly, the host country is one of the richest countries in Africa. COP presidency rotates among the five regional groups of the United Nations each year. Previous hosts from the Africa group include Kenya, South Africa, and twice for Morocco. All of these nations rank within the top six richest countries in Africa. Egypt is also known for keeping a large number of political prisoners. In terms of taking an inclusive approach, it is concerning that a country with financial power and a repressive government is hosting the conference.

Another controversy is about sponsorship. Coca-Cola, the world’s biggest plastic polluter, is sponsoring COP this year. Coca-Cola says it is prepared to cope with the issue of plastic waste. It also says its support for COP27 is in line with its science-based target to reduce absolute carbon emissions by 25% by 2030, and its aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2050. If this means that Coca-Cola is making real progress to save the Earth — like ending the use of plastic, for instance — that’s great. But being “prepared to” act just sounds like national leaders’ “pledges” to reduce carbon emissions, for which there is no penalty if such promises are not kept.

“Cooperate or perish” — the message for COP27

Given the concerns already held about the likely success of COP27, it is hard to have hope for a fruitful conference. But as UN secretary general António Guterres said when opening talks on the first day of COP27, on November 6, “Humanity has a choice: cooperate or perish.” We must have some hope while maintaining a sharp and critical view and pushing our representatives to act. COP27 is scheduled to end on November 18. You can follow the proceedings here, with your fingers crossed.