The former president of the USA speaks at the UN climate conference COP26.
(Photo: imago images / ZUMA Press)
Glasgow At the beginning of the crucial week of the World Climate Conference, the former US President Barack Obama talked the negotiators in Glasgow into conscience. “The world has to move – and now,” said Obama on Monday at COP26 in Glasgow.
The world is not where it needs to be in the fight against the climate crisis. It is questionable whether this will change significantly at this year’s summit in the last few days: The first published bullet points for the final declaration met with bitter criticism from environmentalists.
Greenpeace boss Jennifer Morgan described the previously known points as “extremely weak”. She expressed concern that the final statement would be even worse if the first draft didn’t even mention the coal phase-out. Often such final declarations are watered down rather than tightened in the last negotiations. Other observers also criticized the bullet points published by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change as weak and vague.
The draft – in technical jargon the summit is called “non-paper” – remains vague on many topics. There are no guidelines for phasing out the internal combustion engine or final dates for phasing out coal, oil and gas – although the British host declared “coal, cars, money and trees” to be the main priorities.
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COP President Alok Sharma defended himself: “The aim is to reach a consensus.” The draft is not something that you, as a host, dictate from above. UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa said she was hoping for “more ambition” in the discussions in the coming days.
Climate expert calls for funds for damage and loss
The delegations from around 200 countries still have a lot of work to do before the targeted end on Friday. The declared aim is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees within the physically possible range. So far, the plans are nowhere near enough. It is also unclear how progress should be monitored in a comparable manner and at what intervals the states are obliged to make improvements.
During the talks, there is a gap between the rich industrialized countries, which are responsible for a large part of the climate-damaging emissions, and the poorer countries, which are particularly hard hit by climate change. The latter demand concrete financial support for damage that has already occurred.
Developing countries are already paying the bill for a crisis that they did not cause, said Oxfam delegation leader Tracy Carty. The industrialized countries now have until Friday to show the people on the “frontline of climate change” that they will not be left alone.
Ekkehard Forberg, World Vision’s climate expert, said: “What is clear is that there has to be a separate financial instrument for damage and loss – a fund that starts with $ 25 billion and then has to be adjusted annually as needed.” Studies show that climate-related economic damage worldwide over the past 50 years has totaled 3.6 trillion dollars.
Participants at the UN climate conference COP26 in Glasgow are in the so-called “Action Zone”.
(Photo: dpa)
The demands, however, are met with resistance in the north. There are currently no plans to set up an extra fund for damage and losses, said Jürgen Zattler, who heads the climate protection department in the German development ministry. So far, the industrialized countries have only committed to paying for climate protection and adaptation to the consequences of climate change. Actually, 100 billion dollars a year have been flowing into poorer countries since 2020. In fact, this goal will probably only be achieved for the first time in 2023.
The German Secretary of State for the Environment, Jochen Flasbarth, campaigned for around 50 percent of the funds currently promised to be used for adaptation measures. So far it is only 25 percent. The Vice President of the EU Commission, Frans Timmermans, said: “Climate adaptation and climate protection are two sides of the same coin.”
The expectations of success in Glasgow are high. It was not until the weekend that tens of thousands in numerous cities took to the streets of frustration and hopes for a more ambitious climate policy. Obama warned the youth not to let up in their engagement. “I want you to stay angry! I want you to stay frustrated! ”Said the 60-year-old. He knows from his own experience that governments need pressure.
More: Read the latest developments at the World Climate Conference in the news blog.