[ad_1]
It’s been 30 years since the world’s leaders met in Rio de Janeiro to agree on a series of measures to begin the global mobilization against human-caused environmental change and to meet the imperative for a more sustainable development model.
Their Rio Declaration affirmed that “human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature”.
Tens of millions of people are now suffering from the worst effects of the climate crisis, even though they were not born in 1992.
Covid-19 exposed and exacerbated the policy failures over the past three decades in a world already ravaged by economic inequality, social injustice, and other problems.
Political leaders have not lived up their promises.
To overcome inertia policymakers would do well to pay attention to those at the forefront of the climate crisis, who are demonstrating real leadership as well as innovation, to help them overcome it.
Among them are Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the mayor of Freetown in Sierra Leone, and young activists such as Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti from Kenya and Mitzi Jonelle Tan from the Philippines, with whom I discussed future challenges at Project Syndicate’s “Generation Green” event last month.
These intergenerational debates are critical for driving progress and upholding one of the Rio Declaration’s central principles: “The right to development must be fulfilled so as to equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.”
The UNFCCC has been the key multilateral body in the international community’s effort to strengthen the political consensus on climate action through annual Conference of the Parties (Cop) summits.
At Cop26 in Glasgow last November, there was some progress toward strengthening the 2015 Paris climate agreement’s nationally determined contributions to emissions reduction, closing the gap in financing for climate adaptation, and ending the use of coal.
These advancements were however not sufficient in light of the existential danger posed by rising temperatures, emissions, and temperatures.
This is why 2022 must become the year of accountability. All major emitters must fulfill the promises made in the so-called Glasgow Climate Pact.
This declaration provided a lifeline to limit global warming to 1.5C relative to preindustrial levels, as per the Paris agreement.
Cop26 countries all pledged to increase their ambitions and revise their emission-reduction targets by the end of this year.
Concretely, anyone who has not set 2030 Paris-aligned targets for 2030 should do so by Cop27 in Sharm El-Sheikh next November.
All countries must implement their new commitments quickly, but it is especially important that the wealthy G20 economies do this, as they are responsible for most of global emissions.
Climate finance remains a crucial part of the puzzle. It’s been over ten years since rich nations pledged, at Cop15, Copenhagen, $100bn each to support developing countries’ mitigation and adaptation efforts.
This goal has never been reached; rich countries must keep their word in order to build trust and goodwill worldwide.
Cop27 will be held in an African country on the shores the Red Sea.
In the interest of justice and solidarity, I hope to see Africa speak with one voice to ensure that Cop27 advances the region’s concerns on adaptation, finance, and loss and damage (L&D) — the acknowledgement that countries are suffering climate effects beyond their ability to adapt.
Cop26 left unfinished business on L&D, because the United States, backed by the European Union, postponed the creation of a new financial mechanism to rebuild communities in the aftermath of climate-related disasters.
Cop27 is a great opportunity to make a breakthrough.
An effective L&D fund is increasingly important for climate-vulnerable states.
At Cop26, the Scottish government and the Belgian region of Wallonia took the first step by pledging $2.7m (€2.4m) and $1m (€0.9m), respectively, for L&D (with matching funds from philanthropic organisations). However, this money is currently not available for use.
Another encouraging development is the deal concluded by South Africa, the EU, Britain, the US, France, and Germany to support South Africa’s “just transition” away from coal; this now needs to be built upon — and emulated elsewhere.
As my fellow Elder Ban Ki-moon told the “Generation Green” audience: “We all have a part to play in addressing the climate crisis — especially those with the power needed to bring about change.”
To honour the Rio summit’s legacy, to provide for the needs of those who are already suffering from the effects of the climate crisis, as well as to limit the repercussions on future generations, we must all work together to protect our common home.
And 2022 must mark the turning point.
- Mary Robinson, ex-President of Ireland and UN High Commission for Human Rights, chairs The Elders
- Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2022 www.project-syndicate.org
