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Tag: COP27

  • UN Secretary-General reacts to breakdown of negotiations at COP27

    UN Secretary-General reacts to breakdown of negotiations at COP27

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has decried the breakdown of trust between the global North and South at the ongoing 27th session of Conference of Parties (COP27) on Climate Change in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

    Guterres in his remark at COP27 briefing on Thursday, said the breakdown in trust between North and South, and between developed and emerging economies was a recipe for mutually assured destruction.

    “This is no time for finger pointing. The blame game is a recipe for mutually assured destruction.

    “I am here to appeal to all parties to rise to this moment and to the greatest challenge facing humanity. The world is watching and has a simple message: stand and deliver,” said the UN scribe.

    Guterres urged the parties to deliver the kind of of meaningful climate action that people and the planet so desperately needed; as global emissions were at their highest level in history and still rising.

    “Climate impacts are decimating economies and societies and growing. We know what we need to do and we have the tools and resources to get it done.

    “And so I appeal to the parties to act in three critical areas. First, the most effective way to rebuild trust is by finding an ambitious and credible agreement on loss and damage and financial support to developing countries.

    “The time for talking on loss and damage finance is over. We need action. No one can deny the scale of loss and damage we see around the globe.

    “The world is burning and drowning before our eyes and I urge all parties to show that they see it and get it.

    “Send a clear signal that the voices of those on the frontlines of the crisis are finally being heard. Reflect the urgency, scale and enormity of the challenge faced by developing countries.

    “We cannot continue to deny climate justice to those who have contributed least to the climate crisis and are getting hurt the most. Now is a moment for solidarity, said the UN chief.

    He also appealed to all parties to forcefully address the huge emissions gap, noting that the 1.5 target was not simply about keeping a goal alive, but it’s about keeping people alive.

    “I see the will to keep to the 1.5 goal – but we must ensure that commitment is evident in the COP27 outcome. Fossil fuel expansion is hijacking humanity.

    “Any hope of meeting the 1.5 target requires a step change in emissions reductions. We cannot close the emissions gap without an acceleration in the deployment of renewables.

    “The Just Energy Transition Partnerships are important pathways to accelerate the phasing out of coal and the scaling up of renewables. This effort must be expanded,” he said.

    Guterres also called for the delivery of the $100 billion in the climate finance for developing countries by the developed world.

    The parties, he said must act on the crucial question of finance as it meant clarity on how the doubling of adaptation finance will be delivered through a credible roadmap.

    “We have agreed solutions in front of us to respond to loss and damage, to close the emissions gap, and to deliver on finance. The climate clock is ticking, and trust keeps eroding.

    “The parties at COP27 have a chance to make a difference here and now. I urge them to act — and act quickly,” the UN boss appealed.

  • UN Chief, Antonio Guterres says UN-AU collaboration best ever

    UN Chief, Antonio Guterres says UN-AU collaboration best ever

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has lauded the collaboration between the UN and the African Union (AU), describing it as the best ever, but warned that major challenges were imminent.

    Guterres said at a Security Council meeting on cooperation between the UN and the AU that in the 20 years since its creation, the African Union has shown its determination to work towards integration, peace, and prosperity on the continent.

    He said that collaboration between the United Nations and the African Union has never been stronger, but major challenges remain, including conflicts and unconstitutional government changes.

    The secretary-general said that for many Africans, climate change is not a distant threat but a daily reality even though Africa barely contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions.

    “As we prepare for COP27 in Egypt next month, I urge leaders, especially from G20 countries, which are responsible for 80 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, to finally take the urgent action needed,” he said.

    “Developed countries must also make good on their commitments, starting with their pledge to provide 100 billion U.S. dollars a year for developing countries, and double funding for adaptation.”

    The UN chief said the climate conference must also deliver concrete action on loss and damage.

    “This is not just a matter of trust between developed and developing countries.
    “For many countries, and particularly in Africa, it is a question of survival.”

  • Africa and Climate Change – A Conversation with US Senator John Kerry towards COP27

    Africa and Climate Change – A Conversation with US Senator John Kerry towards COP27

    By Tony O. Elumelu

    As the world continues to experience the daily impact of global warming, whether the tragic recent flooding in Pakistan, or the less covered, but equally harmful, persistent environmental degradation of Africa’s Sahel region, leaders need to act, not just talk.

    Equally, Africa should not just be in the conversation, but actively set the agenda.

    While Africa’s 3.8% contribution to global emissions is immaterial compared to others, we are the most vulnerable region to the effect of climate change. Africa’s rain-fed agriculture focus, and a large share of agriculture in Africa’s GDP, add to the continent’s vulnerability. It is clear that climate change is not just a threat to the future, it is also a threat to the present.

    Global conversations around climate change are geared towards a focus on green and renewable energy. However, Africa’s focus is and should remain, providing energy from both traditional and green sources for its citizens – this was the focus of my discussion with Senator John Kerry, Former Secretary of State and Current United States of America’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, along with the CEO of Heirs Oil and Gas (HHOG), Osa Igiehon, at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, yesterday.

    We must be realistic about the inequalities that exist between Africa and the rest of the world. Africa has a significant energy deficit, with a substantial amount of its population living with minimal or no electricity. Africa transiting fully to green and renewable energy sources will require considerable investment, and this cannot be at the expense of the drive to urgently address the current energy deficit. Green energy transition must allow room for Africa to power its development and sustain its economic growth. Anything else will be potentially detrimental to us all.

    There must be an equitable transition – that is why I welcome the US’s recent recognition of this concept in its much-awaited Africa strategy announced earlier this month.

    Africa’s green revolution requires immediate and significant funding – funding that is larger than the resources available to African governments, that have so many competing priorities such as poverty, economy, education, healthcare, security, and more – all of which have a direct impact on the livelihood of Africans, especially the youth.

    With this dilemma, the world must step up! Africa will require far more external support and the same policy flexibility that rich nations claim for themselves in the energy transition.

    As the world gathers in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt for COP27, African nations must engage with the rest of the world, with one voice about the massive support required for this transition – one that is frankly in everyone’s interest. The Tony Elumelu Foundation’s work with the UNDP in the Sahel seeks to address the toxic cocktail of the lack of opportunity and extremism, and the frightening impact of environmental change has only made this task more difficult.

    Africa must do what it can in the present – African governments must provide the enabling environment to promote climate change and incentivise the private sector to own these initiatives and begin implementation in their various organisations. At Heirs Holdings Group, with our integrated energy strategy, we are working to address Africa’s energy needs. Our energy strategy comprises three pathways –

    i. an oil and gas pathway (with HHOG already providing up to 12million standard cubic feet of gas per day into the Eastern Nigeria Domestic gas hub);

    ii. a gas-fired electricity generation pathway (with Transcorp Group operating an aggregate of approximately 2000 megawatts, some 15% of Nigeria’s total installed electricity generating capacity); and

    iii. a renewables/green energy pathway currently being developed.

    We cannot afford to ignore traditional energy sources, to power basic needs, but equally we cannot ignore our responsibility to future generations in developing alternatives.

    We are great supporters of young entrepreneurs – and we are ensuring that we infuse green climate awareness in young African entrepreneurs, through the work of The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF). We believe that the current energy transition and future lies in the hands of our private sector, who through their actions or inactions can either perpetuate current ills or catalyse change. Our over 1.2m TEF entrepreneurship seed capital/knowledge beneficiaries are being encouraged to create businesses that incorporate sustainability into their practices.

    My conversation with Senator Kerry ended with a broad based discourse about opportunities for Africa in the renewables space, and technology-focused initiatives that will aid in addressing and improving access to energy in Africa.

    I applaud the United States of America, for this inclusive approach to addressing the climate issues. It is through such direct engagements that a comprehensive agenda will be developed for faithful implementation across Africa and the wider world.

    Collectively, we can do better. We must do better. We have a dwindling window to address, probably the most significant challenge of our time. Our children deserve and expect better.