Solutions Day at COP27 was the last of the thematic days at the two-week long international climate summit.
The day aimed to bring together government representatives, businesses and innovators; however, the closing of Solutions Day on Thursday 17 November Cop27 seemed to present more problems that solutions.
With the publication of a draft climate deal, concerns rose over the reaching of a final agreement. The draft contained no details of the critical issue of a fund for loss and damage, nor did it call for a phasing down of all fossil fuels to build on the inclusion of the wording from last year’s COP in Glasgow which introduced ‘phasing down’ of coal. Irish Minister for Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, is leading loss and damage negotiations for the EU. Commenting, Minister Ryan stated: “We’re serious about providing the greatest support for particularly the most vulnerable countries. The key task is to turn that intent into a common text that people can rally behind.”
With the summit due to close on Friday 18 November, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged governments to ‘act – and act quickly’ to overcome their differences and deliver meaningful results.
Elsewhere at COP27, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions held their closing event ‘COP27 Action Agenda: Progress & Priorities’, at which they focused on accountability, fairness, and an assessment of non-State progress at COP27. The Champions wrapped up a two-week programme of over 50 events, including the launch of the Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, a comprehensive two-year Glasgow–Sharm el-Sheikh work programme on adaptation (2022-2023). It also included a number of major African-led initiatives to cut emissions and build climate resilience, and significant work on the mobilisation of finance. Ireland’s former President, Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, was among the keynote speakers.
Article of interest
- Getting rid of fossil fuels at a climate summit is harder than you’d think (The Guardian)
- Cop27 deadlocked over loss and damage issue with developing countries digging in (The Irish Times)
- Eamon Ryan appointed lead EU negotiator on crunch Cop27 climate loss and damage issue (The Irish Independent)
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.
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