COP27: An introduction

Will COP27 sheik out progress on climate change?

The 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) began on 6 November.

Hosted in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, the focus of this year's conference is implementation – to follow the progress made at COP26 with real action to tackle the climate emergency. Read on below for a summary of what was agreed last year, and what to expect from this year's conference.

What happened at COP26?

COP26 in Glasgow last year was described as a make-or-break conference, with Boris Johnson declaring it the "last opportunity" to prevent catastrophic global warming and global temperature rises passing 1.5C. 

After two weeks of talks, there were some celebrated successes, including:

• Pledges by 100 countries to reduce methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
• India committing to achieving net zero emissions by 2070.
• Commitment to halting and reversing deforestation and land degradation by 2030.
• The US and China agreeing to greater climate co-operation.
• The announcement of over $130 trillion of private capital towards the net-zero economy.
• New agreements on carbon market rules.
• Establishment of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) to improve climate risk disclosure and reporting.

Major points of contention were the last-minute change in agreed language from 'phasing out' to 'phasing down' coal power after intervention by China and India, and a lack of progress on the agreed climate finance for developing countries.

Reactions to COP26 were mixed. Some countries found it disappointing, while others agreed positive steps had been made on key issues. Conference President Alok Sharma wrote "The 1.5C limit lives. We brought it back from the brink. But its pulse remains weak. We must steer it to safety by ensuring countries deliver on the promises they have made, and on the expectations set out in this pact to increase climate ambition to 2030 and beyond." 

This year as we look to Egypt, the main theme is moving beyond pledges and agreements to make serious progress on implementation of the Paris Agreement.

What are the goals of COP27?

Across just under two weeks of themed days, COP27 will focus on four main areas:

• Reducing emissions – all parties are urged to take "bold and immediate actions" and to reduce emissions to limit global warming well below 2C.
• Helping countries adapt to climate change – ensuring the conference drives progress towards improving climate change resilience.
• Securing funding for developing countries – making progress on climate finance, including delivery of the $100 billion a year agreed for vulnerable countries.
• Collaboration – Reaching consensus on key goals, with "inclusive and active participation" from all stakeholders.

Of the areas listed, emissions and finance have proved the hardest to deliver on. Ahead of COP27 the UN has warned that current pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions will lead to global heating of 2.5C, well above the 1.5C agreed limit, leading to catastrophic climate breakdown. 

Despite this only a handful of countries have strengthened their emissions commitments since COP26, despite promising to do so. Of 200 countries only 25 have submitted new national determined contribution plans (NDCs) ahead of COP27, with many plans not being substantially stronger than their previous ones.

Regarding finance, developed countries had committed to giving $100 billion a year by 2020 to developing countries to help them reduce emissions and prepare for climate change. That commitment was missed and pushed back to 2023, and is expected to be a tricky issue once again this year, with some countries requesting additional compensation for loss and damage.

Parties emerged from COP26 with a belief they'd reached a fragile deal, with foundations they could build on. But against the backdrop of various crises going on around the world and tense relations between larger countries, the prospect of progress at COP27 is looking cloudy. 

We await COP27 with cautious optimism and hope significant progress can be made – keep an eye out for further updates from us throughout this year's conference.