COP27 Climate Conference, held in Egypt in November 2022, brought together leaders from around the world to discuss and negotiate efforts to address the challenges of a rapidly changing climate. This blog is a recap from our sister agency, Christian Aid Ireland, on the progress made at the conference and asks where we go from here in the fight against climate change.
WDR works with Christian Aid Ireland on issues of advocacy and climate justice.

What was COP27 and why does it matter?

COP27 was the 27th annual UN meeting on climate change. Around 200 governments were invited to take part in the meeting, alongside environmental charities, community groups, think tanks, businesses, and faith groups. Each year the COP meetings have specific focuses, and this year the aim was to look at the issues of reducing emissions, helping countries to prepare for climate change and securing technical support and funding for developing countries. Some issues arising from COP26 in Glasgow last year were also re-examined, importantly including the establishment of loss and damage finance (see below).

Key influencing objectives at COP 27

Christian Aid’s top advocacy priority is loss and damage. When a climate disaster strikes, sometimes communities can adapt – for example, diversifying crops in increasingly arid lands. But often the impacts of the climate crisis can’t be adapted to, because they happen too quickly or are on a scale that’s just too large. This leads to loss and damage. Because it’s a matter of justice, we are calling for polluters to pay.

We’re also supporting calls for:

• Adaptation: an improvement in the quality and quantity of and access to climate adaptation finance and investment in locally-led adaptation.

• Mitigation: each government’s nationally determined contributions to close the emissions gap and keep the target of keeping warming under 1.5oC alive.

• Climate finance: the promised $100 billion annually to be delivered, split 50:50 between adaptation and mitigation, with a higher proportion as grants not loans, and progress on much larger post-2025 finance.

• Inclusion and participation: the COP process to be inclusive, with those most impacted being central to decision-making at all levels.

• Fossil fuels: (1) a timeline to be agreed for the phase-out of all fossil fuels and of ‘inefficient’ fossil fuel subsidies, with developed countries taking the lead. (2) commitments to urgent investment in sustainable, renewable energy.

• Agro-ecology: ambitious commitments to be made to align action on climate and agriculture, to ensure a sustainable, just and climate change-resilient food system.

The global context leading into COP27

Expectations coming into this COP were low. The latest UNFCCC synthesis report, published just days before the start of the conference, detailed the extent to which we are off track to meet emissions reductions targets in order to keep the crucial 1.5oC limit alive.

2022 has so far witnessed devastating climate events in developing countries around the world, from the catastrophic floods in Pakistan which killed over a thousand people and left over 30 million displaced, as well as costing an estimated $40 billion, to the worst drought in 40 years in the Horn of Africa which has left over 20 million people on the brink of starvation.

The success of COP27 for developing countries hinged very much upon making progress on the crucial issue of Loss & Damage.

The main ask of developing countries and civil society on Loss & Damage was for the establishment of a new fund to provide the crucial finance needed in the aftermath of these disasters. However rich, high emitting countries continued to oppose the inclusion of Loss & Damage finance on the formal agenda right until the very last minute.

Finally, the geopolitical context in the lead up to COP27 has arguably never been more fraught with tension. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, rising energy prices, the cost-of-living crisis, and the devastation wrought by the COVID pandemic, have dominated news headlines over the past few months, leading to a feeling that world leaders have shifted their focus away from the climate crisis.

What progress was made?

COP27 managed to achieve what no other COP has achieved: a political decision to establish a Loss & Damage fund to support the communities most impacted by the climate crisis.

This was a hugely significant and the result of decades of campaigning by developing countries and civil society organisations like ourselves. As Christian Aid Ireland, we met on numerous occasions with relevant Government officials and Ministers on this issue ahead of COP27 and during the conference. Ireland took up the role of lead negotiator for the EU on Loss & Damage and this ultimately led to a positive outcome, thanks in no small part to the collective efforts of Irish civil society organisations over many years.  Through WDR and Christian Aid Ireland, Loss & Damage petitions were sent to all Methodist churches in Ireland ahead of COP27, giving Irish Methodists the opportunity to add their voice to the call for a Loss & Damage Fund.

The progress on Loss & Damage is testament to why, despite its many flaws, COPs can lead to significant outcomes for the climate justice movement and reaffirms why our attendance is so crucial.

What remains to be done?

As we thank God for the progress made in establishing a Loss & Damage fund, we recognise that there is still much to be done. The crucial next steps will involve determining how the fund will operate, who will pay and how much.

How can you get involved?

• Learn about the issues

• Pray

• The Methodist Church in Ireland will be hosting an online Climate Change Workshop in Autumn 2023.
  Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for more information.

For more information on how to engage your church with issues of climate change, contact Tim Dunwoody.