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Coal power plants are also being built and fossil fuels are being subsidized – despite the escalating climate crisis. This has to stop, the UN chief demands. Can the climate conference give the right signals?
Glasgow – In the final spurt of the World Climate Conference in Glasgow, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the around 200 countries to show more ambition and willingness to compromise in the negotiations.
In addition, all countries would have to “radically” reduce their emissions of climate-damaging greenhouse gases. “This is the most important fight of our lives,” he said before the plenary. On the penultimate day of the summit, UN climate chief Patricia Espinosa also put pressure on it. “We will work harder than ever before – because we have to.” A surprisingly closed climate pact between China and the USA – the two largest emitters of harmful greenhouse gases – could bring movement to the sometimes halting talks.
“Every country, every city, every company, every financial institution must radically, credibly and comprehensibly reduce their emissions and adjust their portfolios accordingly – from now on,” demanded Guterres. Otherwise the common goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial times could not be achieved.
The previous promises made by many countries sound hollow if the oil, gas and coal industries worldwide still receive trillions in subsidies, as the International Monetary Fund has determined. “Or when states are still building coal-fired power plants. Or when greenhouse gas emissions still have no price – which distorts markets and investments. “
Around a dozen countries, led by Denmark and Costa Rica, want to set a good example and decide on a concrete phase-out of oil and gas. “We do this because we think we have to,” said Danish Climate Minister Dan Jørgensen. “In a 1.5-degree world there is no place for oil and gas.” As with several other international alliances, Germany is not one of the signatories. The environment minister of Costa Rica Andrea Meza defended the importance of the alliance, even if large oil states like Saudi Arabia or Russia are not included. “We know this is just a start,” said Meza. “But we are the ones who have the courage to do something.”
The surprising pact of two climate sinners who otherwise rarely agree could bring new momentum to the last few meters: The US climate protection commissioner John Kerry said America and China have no shortage of differences. “But with the climate, that’s the only way to cope with this task.” China contributes 27 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, while the US accounts for 11 percent. Both sides want to work together and each individually to accelerate the transformation to a climate-neutral world economy, as the declaration says. To this end, more ambitious climate protection measures will be taken this decade. A joint working group is also to be set up for this purpose.
That is not enough for Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate: “We are drowning in promises. But promises won’t stop people from suffering, ”she said. “Only immediate and drastic measures will pull us out of the abyss.” As the climate conferences came and went, emissions continued to rise. The second largest increase in emissions in history is expected in 2021. That is the reason why millions of activists do not “see the successes that are applauded here in these halls”.
On the other hand, Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze said after her arrival in Glasgow that COP26 had come a long way. “At the moment it is not that you see big brakes, but that the questions are simply very complex.” It is now important to really solve financing issues. Poor states are calling in Glasgow, among other things, for long-term, increased funding to adapt to global warming and for their measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, they insist on compensation for damage already suffered (“loss and damage”).
As planned, the negotiator in Glasgow only has a few hours left to bridge the major differences. But: “Has there ever been a COP without an extension?”, Environment Minister Schulze asked – but added: “We are still confident that we will be able to do this by tomorrow.” Dpa
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