Sharm el-Sheikh: Countries agreed at the COP27 climate summit early on Sunday to set up a fund to help poor countries hit by climate disasters, but to support a broader agreement outlining global commitment to fight climate change. Stopped before.
After approving a “harm and damage” fund, delegates applauded after two weeks of contentious talks and agreed to demands by developing countries to compensate rich polluters for the damage caused by extreme weather. .
When the UN talks began in Egypt, the “damage and loss” caused by climate-related disasters was not even formally discussed.
History was made today at #COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh as parties agreed to the establishment of a long-awaited loss and damage fund for assisting developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. pic.twitter.com/spmWVUjTva
— COP27 (@COP27P) November 20, 2022
But a concerted effort among developing countries to make it a decisive issue at the conference melted away the resistance of wealthy polluters who had long feared open liability, and as the talks progressed. Gained unstoppable speed.
“At the start of these negotiations, loss and damage were not even on the agenda and now we are making history,” said Mohammed Adu, executive director of PowerShift Africa.
“It just goes to show that this UN process can get results and that the world can recognize the plight of the vulnerable and not be treated as a political football.”
Loss and damage cover a wide range of climate impacts, from bridges and homes being washed away by floods, to cultures and entire islands being endangered, to rapid sea level rise.
This year’s onslaught of climate disasters – from devastating floods in Pakistan to a severe drought-threatened famine in Somalia – has focused attention on disaster-stricken countries, already struggling with soaring inflation and mounting debt. Was tested.
Pakistan and other climate-vulnerable countries – at COP27 – called on the international community to take steps to mobilize “harm and damage” funds for disaster-stricken countries, and some say That rich countries have a duty to pay these costs because their historical emissions are largely responsible for global warming today.
