Comment on Bonn climate conference

“Just five months from the next climate COP, negotiators in Bonn are midway through meetings to progress promises made at COP26 in Glasgow. Significant gaps remain, especially on areas of concern to those on the frontline of climate impacts. Nations least able to afford it, and who’ve done least to cause the climate crisis, are paying for damage caused by worsening climate impacts. Developed countries have been slow to lock down the mechanisms and money to help developing countries.

“Too many wealthy countries are still too slow in cutting their own emissions as our recent report showed of the G20. [2] COP26 called for countries to resubmit more ambitious national targets for 2030 ahead of the next summit recognising we’re still some way short of commitments to match the 1.5°C limit. With both oil and gas prices high and volatile, and plans emerging to quickly get off Russian fossil fuels, the economics and politics make even more sense for these bolder targets to come, particularly from the EU, in the run-up to COP27. [3]

“This seems likely to be the basis for judging progress at COP27 – rich countries keeping their promises on climate finance, for adaptation and to help pay for the devastating losses climate change is causing, and a demonstration that policies are in place to bring down emissions. The UK still holds the COP presidency; UK leadership remains important to progress this year.”