Final Bounce at the World Climate Conference | Politics

The 1.5 degree target we are striving for is still a long way off, and the world is still headed for a climate catastrophe. Interlocutors in Glasgow are now working night shifts. But time is running out.

Glasgow – More momentum with a coal phase-out, tighter climate protection plans by the end of 2022 and no more tax money for gas, oil or coal: seven pages of text with some crisp demands should finally get the infamous break in the fight Imminent climate disaster.

It is the first fully-fledged draft for the final declaration of the World Climate Conference in Glasgow, which is now turning straight home after just two weeks. Before the sun rose over Scotland, the British Presidency published the eagerly awaited document with the cumbersome title “1/CMA.3” at 5.51 a.m.

Remarkable, also from the point of view of climate defenders: for the first time in 25 years, the so-called “cover decision” should be mentioned and specifically calling for a phased exit from coal, as well as an end to all subsidies . fossil fuel. Environmental organizations praised it – but immediately complained that there was no fixed date for it. In addition, the focus on coal is too narrow, said Kansim Lelim from Climate Coalition350.org. The burning of gas and oil must eventually end in order to reduce emissions of climate-damaging greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane to zero. But whether countries like Saudi Arabia or Russia, whose economies are based entirely on oil and gas exports, can agree on this, will be shown in the final surge of COP26. It should be remembered that all resolutions in Glasgow must be passed unanimously, which also opens up opportunities for every state to block.

Is the glass half full or half empty just before the planned end of the summit on Friday? Host Boris Johnson, who traveled to Glasgow on Wednesday, dashed hopes: “We won’t be able to stop climate change here and now,” the prime minister said, calling on world leaders to call their negotiating teams and asking them Calling to give. Accept the much needed compromise. “The world is closer than ever to the end of the onset of man-made climate change,” Johnson said.

There was also clear progress over the years on the issue of how vigorously urging states to reform their plans to reduce greenhouse gases, which are grossly inadequate. Emissions should be reduced rapidly, strongly and permanently, that is, by 45 percent by 2030 and then to zero by the middle of the century, it says. Otherwise, global warming may not be limited to 1.5 degrees compared to the pre-industrial era, as is the goal. However, the draft text does not include a specific commitment by the 200 or so countries represented to do so. Oxfam climate expert Jan Kowalzig expressed doubts about the passage of the text. “It is therefore questionable whether the call will significantly enhance climate protection.”

Bringing all interests and objections under one roof is a complex task. As UK chief negotiator Archie Young put it this week: “Imagine you want to bring together 197 friends and agree on where to have lunch together.” Negotiators are under pressure that it will be on these crucial days Glasgow has little more to do than choose between pizza or fish and chips.

The wording on the subject of compensation for the inevitable damage already caused by climate change was disappointing for poor countries. On the one hand, there is no concrete mandate to negotiate the topic, on the other hand, the program or even the amount given. Greenpeace chief Jennifer Morgan said the text should include “real numbers” and that it is roughly hundreds of billions of dollars.

This is at least a little more typical, with financial support from rich countries for climate damage and adaptation to climate safeguards. It is “very worrying” that current aid is inadequate. Industrialized countries must now be asked to “at least double” their money for climate adaptation. But here too, it remains open: for how long? And on what basis?

The President of the conference, Alok Sharma received reports from different working groups during lunch time. His conclusion: Everyone should roll up their sleeves now, because time is running out. “I still intend to close this conference on Friday evening. This Friday, just to clarify,” he said to the laughter of delegates and several ministers, some of whom had spoken overnight. The “highest common denominator” would have to be found. Then it was grim: “The world is looking at Glasgow,” he warned. What is agreed here “decides the future of our children and grandchildren”.

How does it go from here? As always, Sharma says: more “almost finished” texts on various topics should be published on Thursday nights. DPA