COP27 – Energy Day and ACE & Civil Society Day

Day 15 of COP27 was dedicated to Energy, and to ‘ACE and Civil Society’.

At the opening session of the Energy thematic day, the COP27 Presidency launched the Africa Just & Affordable Energy Transition Initiative (AJAETI). The initiative will engage the International Energy Agency (IEA) and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to provide possible pathways and scenarios for African countries for the most rapid and sustainable achievement of access.

Elsewhere, coal was very much in the news, with the announcement of what was described the largest climate transaction in history: a $20 billion of climate finance to end the use of coal in Indonesia. The deal will allow Indonesia’s emissions to peak 7 years earlier than had been planned.

Less positive coal news involved India and China, who at last year’s COP26 in Glasgow were responsible for a last-minute intervention to water down the language of the final agreement, changing the commitment to “phase down” rather than “phase out” coal power.

Coal reportedly accounts for 70 percent of electricity generation in India, while renewables count for only about 12 percent. Coal is the most polluting of the fossil fuels, and climate scientists insist that it must to be phased out by 2040 to avoid the worst effects of climate change. However, India has put forward the argument that Europe and the US turned back to fossil fuels as the energy crisis deepened and remained unsanctioned, whereas developing countries which rely on coal are unduly pressured to transition from it, at their economic expense. China has also come under criticism for its plans to build more coal plants this year as a short-term measure to address electricity shortages in the country.

A different type of energy was the topic of a panel on Offshore Wind as a Key Solution to the Climate and Energy Security Crises, featuring the  Global Offshore Wind Alliance. Ireland’s Minister for Transport, Climate, Environment & Communications Eamon Ryan TD, who is leading Ireland’s delegation to COP27 for the second week joined speakers on the panel.

Finally the European Commission’s Vice President Frans Timmermans has told delegates that the European Union will be able to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 57% from 1990 levels by 2030, instead of the 55% originally planned.

Did you know about … ACE

ACE is a term adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It stands for Action for Climate Empowerment. It aims to integrate civil society into decision-making processes, and its inclusion in the COP27 programme builds on the momentum of COP26 where a work programme specifically focussing on this engagement.

Its over-arching goal to empower all members of society to engage in climate action, through the six elements:

1. Education
2. Public awareness
3. Training
4. Public participation
5. Public access to information
6. International cooperation.

Why ACE matters?

Implementation of all six ACE elements is crucial to the global response to climate change. Sustainable lifestyles, sustainable patterns of consumption and production, are fundamental to reducing greenhouse emissions and enhancing resilience to the inevitable effects of climate change. Success will require broad collaboration between all levels of government and all sectors of society.

Read more here https://unfccc.int/ace

You can find all our COP27 updates, information, guidance and supports to help members understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.