COP27

COP27

The UN COP27 summit takes place on the frontlines of the converging climate, food, energy, health and debt crises. This presents a need and opportunity like never before to galvanism immediate, on the ground action in the countries that most need it.

The summit, in Egypt in November, comes in a year of new weather extremes, food shortages, fossil fuel price spikes and a rising cost of living, with Russia’s fossil fuel financed war on Ukraine further stoking the crises. This year, Africa has seen floods and storms kill hundreds of people across the south, triggering electricity shortages, disrupting freight operations and devastating homes and livelihoods. Meanwhile, drought has caused famine for millions of people in the Horn of Africa.

Here is what you need to know about Africa’s COP27, and how it could spur action towards sustainable food systems and climate adaptation and mitigation.

What happened at COP26 and what needs to happen at COP27?

 COP26, in Glasgow in 2021, saw a wave of new promises from countries, the private sector and local governments. Yet, commitments still fall short of what the science says is needed to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5C. On top of that, countries are already backsliding in response to the economic downturn and war in Ukraine.

Why do countries need to step up at COP27 to protect vulnerable people from climate change?

Because the climate crisis is already underway, and the science shows that the window in which to limit the worst impacts is closing quickly.

2022 has seen a convergence of crises fueled by climate change, COVID-19, Russia’s war on Ukraine, disruptions to food supply chains, and the reliance on volatile, polluting commodities. The response from political and private sector leaders so far has been largely to prop up, and lean on, the polluting industries of the past. This is eroding trust between countries and regions.

Solidarity is key to breaking the stalemate and unlocking the finance needed to cut emissions, build resilience and secure sustainable food systems.

Many of the biggest and growing polluters, and those most at risk to climate change impacts, are developing and emerging economies that are also seeing fast-growing populations. Delivering finance to these countries, and building capacity among their governments and sectors, will protect wider global supply chains and economic stability.