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Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif made a stirring appeal in a speech at the COP27 summit this afternoon in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, calling on wealthier nations to help countries reeling from the effects of the climate crisis. During his speech, he said it was “now or never” to take action and that “for us there is no ‘planet B’”. “This COP is sounding the alarm for humanity, it is the only platform where the survival of the human race as a goal still holds promise,” he said. “It is also the forum where we as vulnerable countries make our case to the rich and resourceful to build a road map for critical policy resets needed in a world burning faster than our capacity to recover.” He added that the nation is being forced to spend billions of rupees from its own “meager resources” and will enter a “debt trap” if it continues to pay for the damages. Mr Sharif’s comments come in the wake of devastating floods in parts of Pakistan, which have affected 33 million people and caused around $40bn (£35bn) in damage.
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Mexico will raise its climate emissions target for the first time since 2016
Mexico will increase its target to unconditionally reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 30% below business-as-usual levels by 2030 at this year’s COP27 climate summit, the environment ministry said in a statement, lifting the previous target of 22% . Latin America’s second-biggest greenhouse gas emitter will also raise its target for conditional emissions cuts – a target that depends on external support – to 40 percent from 36 percent. Last year, Mexico pledged to expand its climate targets after the research coalition Climate Action Tracker warned that emissions could actually rise below targets that have remained unchanged since 2016. The Climate Action Tracker had rated Mexico’s previous targets “grossly inadequate”, noting that the Paris climate agreement requires countries to gradually increase percentage reduction targets to offset rising levels of total emissions. The ministry said Mexico would maintain its goal of unconditionally reducing “black carbon” emissions by 51 percent or 70 percent depending on external conditions. Black carbon is the sooty material emitted by coal plants and diesel engines, but Climate Action Tracker said its effect as an additional metric was “negligible” as it comes largely from the same sources as CO2. Mexico’s environment ministry said it had identified measures to reduce about 88.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually by 2030, including more industrial regulations, zero-emission vehicles, rail transport, remote work and the creation of more natural reserves. Aisha Rimi8 November 2022 21:13 1667940006 Lula is expected to meet with, among others, Joe Biden, Emmanuel Macron and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who rushed to congratulate him on his victory. Aisha Rimi8 November 2022 20:40 1667938155
UN chief slams corporate greenwashing at Cop27
UN Secretary-General has urged zero tolerance for net zero ‘greenwashing’ – where companies celebrate their ethical and environmental initiatives to distract from more dubious activities Antonio Guterres has praised the growing number of governments and organizations pledging to be carbon-free, but says bogus “net zero” pledges to cover up fossil fuel expansion are “reprehensible”. He said: “The problem is that the criteria and benchmarks for these net zero commitments have varying levels of stringency and loopholes big enough for a diesel truck to drive. Aisha Rimi8 November 2022 20:09 1667936249
What are world leaders saying at climate summit?
Here are some of the latest comments from world leaders at Cop27: Xie Zhenhua, China’s climate envoy “No matter how much the external environment changes and no matter how many challenges we face, China has a firm determination to achieve this vision of carbon neutrality.” (AFP via Getty Images) Rumen Radev, President of Bulgaria “Given our commitment to advance the climate agenda in our region and beyond, Bulgaria has already indicated its willingness to host COP29.” (EPA) Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela “Venezuela is responsible for less than 0.4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. However, our people must pay the consequences of this imbalance created by the world’s major capitalist economies that have polluted the planet for the benefit of only a few.” (EPA) Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of Suriname “We are, in fact, climate negative. However, despite this, we are particularly vulnerable to the climate… Ladies and gentlemen, the promises that have been made must be kept. Therefore, on behalf of all children and the next generation we urgently call on historical broadcasters to do their part to protect the world. My country is doing our part with limited resources and capacity.” (AP) Mark Brown, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands “It is up to the G20 countries that are responsible for 80 percent of global emissions that we commit to for our survival. “Our survival is seen as a ransom at the cost of profit and the reluctance to act rather than the ability to do so.” (AFP via Getty Images) Aisha Rimi November 8, 2022 7:37 p.m 1667934150
Watch: Barbados PM talks ‘ethical strategic leadership’ for young people
Cop27: Barbados PM talks ‘ethical strategic leadership’ for youth Aisha Rimi November 8, 2022 7:02 p.m 1667931456
Journalists covering Just Stop Oil protest ‘arrested and held for 13 hours’
A journalist covering the Just Stop Oil protests on the M25 claimed he was arrested along with a photographer and held for 13 hours in a police station. Rich Felgate, who is filming a documentary for the climate group, said he was handcuffed and taken away by police while filming the action on a public footbridge in Hertfordshire on Monday. Photographer Tom Bowles also said he was arrested and claimed police searched his home while he was in custody. Aisha Rimi8 November 2022 18:17 1667929656
The UK will provide climate finance to African countries
The UK will significantly increase its financial support to African countries on the front lines of climate change, the Foreign Secretary has said. Speaking at the climate conference, James Smart confirmed that the UK will provide £200m to the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Climate Action Window (CAW). CAW is a new initiative created to channel climate finance to help vulnerable countries adapt to the effects of climate change. Mr Smart said: “Climate change is having a devastating impact on sub-Saharan African countries facing drought and extreme weather patterns, which have historically received a small proportion of climate finance. This new mechanism from the African Development Bank will see vital funds delivered to those most affected by the effects of climate change, much faster. “Lack of access to climate finance for the world’s poorest countries was a focus of COP26 in Glasgow. This £200m of UK funding is helping us make tangible progress in tackling this issue.” Aisha Rimi November 8, 2022 5:47 p.m 1667927856
China’s climate envoy says Beijing is committed to carbon neutrality
China’s special climate envoy Xie Zhenhua said Beijing is committed to achieving carbon neutrality and believes multilateralism and cooperation are key to solving global climate change. “No matter how much the external environment changes and no matter how many challenges we face, China has a firm determination to achieve this vision of carbon neutrality,” he told delegates at the climate summit. Aisha Rimi November 8, 2022 5:17 p.m 1667925936
Exclusive: Vanishing nation urges world to stop funding trips to Mars and save sinking island
While billionaires are spending huge sums to go to Mars, the Marshall Islands cannot secure international funding to save the country from climate disaster, its natural resources minister has warned. “There are these billionaires building rocket ships to go to Mars… All we’re asking is for them to give us the money to make sure the Marshall Islands can continue to exist in the world,” John Silk told The Independent at Cop27. summit in Egypt. “We are talking about a nation on the verge of extinction.” Aisha Rimi November 8, 2022 4:45 p.m 1667924151
In pictures: Day two at the UN climate summit
Participants wear traditional clothing at the climate conference (EPA) European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen walks after her speech at the summit (AP) Supporters of jailed British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah rally against him in support of the government (EPA) Sanaa Seif (C), the sister of imprisoned British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, speaks during a press conference (EPA) Climate activist Elizabeth Wathuti, from Kenya, centre-left, joins others from Fridays for Future to protest against Germany’s climate policy Olaf Scholz (AP) Aisha Rimi8 November 2022 16:15
