Page 32 - November 2021 IB FINAL

Climate Change

tional mechanism to guarantee funding for loss and damage, Celsius of global warming causes clearly discernible increases
separate from existing climate finance structures like the in the intensity and frequency” of heat waves, heavy rain or
Adaptation Fund and Green Climate Fund. PSIDS put forward a droughts.
proposal through the AOSIS group that was later supported by The final COP26 communique reaffirms “efforts to limit the
G77 developing countries. temperature increase to 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial
Despite the work of Tuvalu Finance Minister Seve Paeniu levels”, but Secretary General Puna said: “For the Blue Pacif-
and other negotiators to advance the proposal, the plan was ic, 1.5 is not just a number, it is our survival roadmap. Act like
rejected in the final communique - a major defeat for the our life depends on it, because the simple truth, is it does.”
most vulnerable nations and communities. Hopes were dashed The problem with the COP process is that current voluntary
when OECD powers refused to establish a loss and damage emissions reductions have put the globe on a path to catastro-
facility, instead deciding “to establish the Glasgow Dialogue phe, towards temperatures well beyond 1.5 degrees. A major
between Parties” on loss and damage from now to 2024. As update from Climate Action Tracker said that “at the midpoint
the youth demonstrators in the streets would say, more “blah, of Glasgow, it is clear there is a massive credibility, action
blah, blah” instead of action to address the pressing needs of and commitment gap”, with 2030 targets on track for a 2.4
vulnerable nations. degrees global temperature increase. They note that “the key
drivers for this appalling outlook are coal and gas.”
Canberra’s betrayal Throughout the final days of negotiation, major industri-
There was particular anger over the actions of the largest alised countries – OECD states as well as large developing
Forum member. Despite the recent “Australian Way” policy countries like China and India – worked hard to dilute the
adopting net zero by 2050, Australian Prime Minister Scott text, adding loopholes that would allow the fossil fuel indus-
Morrison arrived in Glasgow without any intention to increase try to continue business as usual.
emissions cuts in the crucial decade before 2030. After decades of negotiations and 26 COPs, the final com-
Morrison announced another $500 million in climate munique finally uses the word coal. But in substance, a key
finance for Asian and Pacific countries, spread over the next provision of the Glasgow summit was gutted when China and
five years, but said that Australia would refuse to provide India would not accept the language of a “phase-out” of coal.
further funding for the Green Climate Fund. Former Palau The final statement calls for “accelerating efforts towards
President Tommy Remengesau Jr said that extra funding must the phase-down of unabated coal power and inefficient fossil
be complemented by greater action on fossil fuels: “Prime fuel subsidies, recognising the need for support towards a just
Minister Morrison cannot buy himself out of a much greater transition.”
responsibility for urgent and rapid action to reduce emissions In an undemocratic display of power politics, this word-
at home and to stop the export of coal.” ing was thrashed out at the last minute between US climate
Denounced as a “laggard” by climate researchers and envoy John Kerry, and key negotiators Xie Zhenhua of China,
awarded the annual “Colossal Fossil” prize, Australia again Frans Timmermans of the European Union and India’s Bhu-
lobbied hard against proposals advanced by Pacific neigh- pender Yadav. India then presented the new wording for a
bours. Former island leaders, grouped together as “Pacific “phase down” – not “phase-out” – of coal and fossil fuels as
Elders Voice”, were scathing about this policy failure. Former an ultimatum to Alok Sharma, the British minister in charge of
Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine said: “Once again, the climate talks. Conservative Australian Senator Matt Cana-
Prime Minister Morrison has failed to deliver anything new. van later welcomed the change, saying it “is a green light for
There is very little detail and none of the clear action on us to build more coal mines.”
fossil fuels required to keep global warming at 1.5 degrees The last minute intervention to water down the language of
Celsius.” the Glasgow agreement left a bitter taste for Least Developed
Australia and New Zealand endorsed the final COP state- Countries and Small Island Developing States. Fiji’s Aiyaz
ment, with a key provision that requests all nations to “revise Saiyed Khaiyum tweeted: “Days ago, SIDS were told that our
and strengthen” 2030 targets by next year’s summit in Egypt. submission for a dedicated financing mechanism on loss and
Just days later, however, both countries betrayed this com- damage was ‘last minute.’ We’re deeply disappointed by the
mitment. With elections looming in the next six months and hypocrisy of language on coal going from ‘phase out’ to ‘phase
division within the government, Prime Minister Morrison said down’ literally minutes before the close of COP26.”
Australia wouldn’t budge. Energy Minister Angus Taylor added: RMI Climate Envoy Tina Stege was everywhere during the
“We have set our target. We don’t reset our target.” week, championing Pacific agendas. As the Glasgow state-
ment was gavelled through, she acknowledged the ongoing
1.5 to stay alive challenge: “The coal change and a weak outcome on loss and
The latest IPCC scientific report describes how human damage are blows. But it is real progress and elements of the
interventions have transformed the environment at an “un- Glasgow package are a lifeline for my country. We must not
precedented” pace. It documents how catastrophic impacts discount the crucial wins covered in this package.”
will rapidly expand without dramatic cuts to greenhouse gas
emissions this decade, noting “every additional 0.5 degrees nicmac3056@gmail.com

32 Islands Business, November 2021