The Climate Summits aim to change the guidelines and milestones in the fight against climate change through the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
The next Climate Summit (COP23) will be held in Bonn next November. During COP23, efforts will be made to advance adjustments to the Paris Agreement and emphasize the need for unity among the signatory countries following the US decision to withdraw from the agreement. The characteristics and objectives of COP23 are explored below.
New Climate Summit
German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks emphasized that COP23 aims to continue the fight against climate change, thereby sending a clear political signal. The intention is to communicate to all governments around the world that it is vital to unite in the fight against this crisis.
"We are in a particular situation because this is the first Climate Summit after the announcement by US President Donald Trump that The US will withdraw from the Paris Agreement."It's essential to convey a message of unity," Hendricks said.
The US withdrawal from the agreement raised concerns among the other signatory countries of the Paris Agreement, given that the US represents 25% of global greenhouse gas emissionsThe lack of a legal commitment by the U.S. to reduce its emissions fueled fears that this decision could trigger a domino effect among other nations.
The Bonn Summit
At COP23, the discussion will focus on how each country should present its action plans to contain global warming, ensuring that these plans are transparent and comparable. There will be a debate on the measures that countries will adopt to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, focusing on increasingly ambitious goals as the consequences of climate change become increasingly evident.
The urgency to take action is imminent, and concrete decisions are expected to be taken in Bonn that will set the course for international climate policy.
It is important to note that the Bonn summit will take place in a context where science has already established that global warming reached 1,25°C in 2016 compared to the pre-industrial era. According to the most recent data, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has reached record levels, posing major challenges to compliance with the Paris Agreement. Therefore, it is essential that measures be implemented measures to address climate vulnerability and the adaptation of plants to climate change through various initiatives such as those described in the adaptation of plants to climate change.
Objectives and Commitments of COP23
One of the main objectives of COP23 is to advance the Paris Agreement Work Program. This includes creating a common framework that allows countries to establish their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in a way that is equivalent and measurable. This is critical to ensuring that each nation is held accountable for its climate commitments.
In addition, the implementation of the Facilitating Dialogue, known as Dialogue of Talanoa, which will begin in January 2018. This dialogue aims to enable countries to reflect on their actions and ambitions in an inclusive and constructive manner. Vulnerability Agenda It will also be a priority, focusing on the countries and populations most affected by the effects of climate change and the search for solutions that address their needs.
Among the commitments that emerged from COP23 are:
- In the last ten years, being Gender Action Plan, which seeks to ensure that the gender perspective is integrated into climate policies.
- The formation of a working group of experts who will investigate how to prevent damage and loss resulting from climate effects.
- The launch of the Oceans Path Alliance (Ocean Pathway), which seeks to establish innovations in ocean management.
- The creation of a platform for local communities and indigenous peoples is a vital step toward recognizing their rights and needs in the climate negotiations.
Reactions and Challenges
COP23 was held amid growing activism and social pressure from environmental organizations, which denounced the inaction of certain governments in the fight against climate change. With the attendance of nearly 25,000 people and protests from environmentalists, the summit has sought to raise awareness of the urgency of the problem, which is becoming increasingly pressing.
Critics have pointed out that the lack of action or clear commitments sometimes makes climate summits feel insufficient. For example, some critics argue that the Paris Summit agreements lacked ambition and that current climate commitments are insufficient to curb global temperature rise.
US President Donald Trump has been a focal point of this criticism, as his administration has made decisions that could weaken global action against climate change. The policies implemented by your government have generated considerable uncertainty regarding the future of international cooperation on climate issues. In this sense, it is worrying how the Trump's change of heart could affect climate negotiations.
On the other hand, the trend toward increasing extreme weather events, such as forest fires in various parts of the world, floods, and severe droughts, reinforces the idea that climate action is urgent and necessary. Scientists have warned that if immediate action is not taken, and if all the commitments made are not met, the temperature increase could exceed 3 degrees in the coming decades. This scenario would be devastating for the planet and for future generations.
Education as a tool for change
A crucial aspect discussed at COP23 is the role of education in combating climate change. During the Conference, UNESCO and several partner organizations held a day dedicated to education. climate change educationThis event underscored the need to increase awareness and education about climate action worldwide.
Shyamal Majumdar, Director of the UNESCO International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, emphasized that "education is key" to transforming society toward a more sustainable approach. This highlights how education can empower future generations to address climate change with knowledge and determination. In this regard, it is essential to promote recommended reading on climate change in schools, as well as how the Climate change affects pregnant women.
We are on the cusp of a significant transformation, and it is imperative that a culture of climate awareness and action be fostered in educational institutions and communities to achieve real and sustainable change.
COP23 is not an end in itself, but an important step toward the ultimate goal of creating a more sustainable planet. The work done at these summits lays the groundwork for the future. COP24 to be held in Katowice, Poland, where the rules for implementing the Paris Agreement are expected to be finalized and progress to be made on global climate ambition.
Furthermore, the approach to climate action needs to be more inclusive, and this includes the active participation of local governments, civil society, indigenous communities, and the private sector, all of which have an essential role to play in the fight against climate change.
Collaboration between countries, organizations, and communities is essential to scaling and accelerating measures that promote a low-carbon economy and a climate-resilient society. The impact each individual can have cannot be underestimated, and every small step toward sustainability counts in building a better future for all.
In this context, the coming years will be crucial in defining the direction of the global effort to combat climate change. The need for collective and coordinated action has never been more critical, and the time to act is now.
