COP27 took on an incredibly challenging agenda: loss and damage, adaptation, implementation and climate finance. These issues are not technical, but are the defining issues of our time. It was the COP’s duty to deliver – particularly given the negotiations were in Africa – where people are feeling the impacts of climate change the most, yet have done the least to cause it.
The fact that there has been an agreement to establish a fund for loss and damage is a major step forward, which we could not have predicted when we entered Sharm-El-Sheikh over two weeks ago. The table has been set to develop a mosaic of solutions to address losses and damages; and non-State actors stand ready to contribute actions and innovations.
We can take heart that the intention to elevate adaptation and resilience has been realised with the COP27 Presidency’s launch of the Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda. Announced at the World Leaders Implementation Summit, it’s the first ever comprehensive global plan to rally both States and non-State actors behind a shared set of 30 Adaptation Outcomes by 2030.
We can also take heart that, during what was framed as the ‘Together for Implementation’ COP, we saw a tremendous upswing from businesses, investors, cities and regions who are getting granular about how they will turn their pledges into actions. This is the Breakthrough Agenda in motion, where the power of collaboration is uniting governments, the private sector and communities around shared goals to protect 1.5°C.
On climate finance, there is now growing recognition that reform of the broader architecture is required for scaling finance for developing countries, which was articulated in the ‘Financing Climate Action’ report and then highlighted in today’s Cover Decision. One part of the solution lies in the emergence of a global pipeline of implementable, financeable projects covering adaptation and mitigation, which is maturing under the five Regional Finance Forums, where over one hundred projects were presented during the summer.
As we cast our eyes to next year, we must embed all this momentum into the Global Stocktake to decisively inform the ratchet of national climate plans. We therefore welcome the recommendations of the Net Zero High-Level Expert Group, which build on existing initiatives like Race to Zero, setting a high bar for voluntary initiatives, and emphasising the need to move to regulation.
We remain deeply committed to continuing to mobilise highest ambition non-State action. In 2023, we need to move quickly from the groundswell of voluntary momentum into the ground rules that can reshape the global economy for a more just and resilient future that delivers for the most vulnerable.
For our full Summary of Global Climate Action at COP27, see here.
COP26 High-Level Climate Action Champion, Nigel Topping in his closing speech reflects on his three years in the role, and the collective task before all of society.
COP27 High-Level Champion for Climate Action, Mahmoud Mohieldin’s speech at the closing event, COP27 Action Agenda: Progress & Priorities, which wrapped-up a two week programme of over 50 events.
The UN Climate Change High-Level Champions have taken stock of the contribution of non-State actors at COP27 with their closing event – COP27 Action Agenda: Progress & Priorities – wrapping-up a two week programme of over 50 events.
