COP27: Conversations to watch at the climate summit

Next week’s UN climate conference has much to discuss, from financing the transition to clean energy to protecting the world’s forests and future-proofing its cities. But some efforts will get more attention than others.

Here are some of the most-watched topics at the COP27 summit, Nov. 6-18 in Sharm Al Sheikh, Egypt.

FUTURE OF FOSSIL FUELS

Countries at last year’s COP26 talks agreed for the first time to “phase down” coal production and trim other fossil fuel subsidies. Voluntary side deals also touted plans to curb fossil fuel financing and to limit planet-warming methane emissions, chiefly from the fossil fuel and agriculture industries.

But the energy disruption caused by war in Europe has led several European Union members to reopen or extend coal plants’ life and to lock in liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.

Meanwhile, China continues to approve new coal mines, and Vietnam and Indonesia seek to boost coal production.

The backsliding by major economies on their promises to shift from fossil fuels has led some nations, especially in Africa, to call for a formal recognition that they should be allowed to develop their fossil fuel reserves. This is likely to be evident in African leaders’ opening statements at COP27.

LOSS AND DAMAGE

As host of COP27, Egypt has made the issue of “loss and damage,” or compensation for losses from climate-related disasters, a focus. Debated for years, the issue has never been part of the UN talks’ formal agenda, as wealthy countries have resisted creating a funding mechanism that could suggest liability for historic climate damages.

Frustrated by wealthy nations’ failure to meet past climate financing promises, developing countries this year are united in demanding that a Loss and Damage fund be established. The United States and the European Union have shown more openness to having a serious discussion, but remain wary of creating a fund.

Ahead of COP27, Washington has said the focus should be on finding other climate finance that can be used for compensation and on reforming multilateral development banks to be more responsive to the climate crisis.

ADAPTATION

High-income countries have yet to meet their pledge to deliver $100 billion a year in climate finance. Only $80 billion per year was delivered in 2019. Nevertheless, the talks will address boosting that annual goal upward from $100 billion from 2025.

To date, about a quarter of that financing has gone to projects for adapting communities for a warmer world. Low-income and climate-vulnerable countries want to ensure that the share spent on adaptation is doubled by 2025 — a pledge made at last year’s UN climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland. That’s still shy of what experts say is needed: a report by the UN. Trade and Development office estimates adaptation costs in developing countries will total $300 billion in 2030.

DEVELOPMENT BANKS

High-level voices have called for an overhaul of international financial institutions. At the annual World Bank meetings last month, the United States and Germany called for “a fundamental reform” of the bank to respond to challenges including climate change on a global scale, rather than country by country.

Some reformers are asking for more grants and concessional loans that would prevent lower- and middle-income countries from having to pay high interest rates.

US Special Envoy John Kerry said in a speech last month that reforms would be crucial to “address the crisis of this moment,” and that there were proposals that could “unlock several hundred billion dollars in additional MDB [multinational development bank] lending capacity without requiring new shareholder capital” and without risking credit rating downgrades.

KEEPING 1.5 ALIVE

At COP26, countries promised to “revisit and strengthen” their national climate plans, called Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs, by the end of this year to ensure they are aligned with the Paris Agreement goal of preventing warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures.

But last month’s UN “synthesis report” on NDCs submitted this year show that only 24 countries out of 194 have updated their plans.

There may be some new momentum in Egypt. Australia’s new government strengthened its pledge to cut emissions 43% by 2030, a significant improvement from its 2015 target of 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030. Chile, Mexico, Turkey and Vietnam are also expected to announce new plans.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s election of Luis Inacio “Lula” da Silva as president on Sunday bolsters global efforts to end deforestation.