CARICOM Official Says "There Were Many Disappointments" at COP27

BELMOPAN, Belize – Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in the region have expressed reservations over the overall package of decisions from the recent United Nations Climate Conference (COP27), that concluded in Egypt on November 18.

While breathing a sigh of relief following the decision on financing for loss and damage the Caribbean SIDS said insignificant strides were made to ramp up ambition to cut emissions that fuel the warming of the planet and the associated impacts – from extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, to threats to food and water security, as well as the risks to public health.

“While the establishment of the loss and damage fund is a big win for SIDS, representing 30 years of effort and struggle, there were many disappointments for SIDS in Egypt, particularly as it relates to keeping 1.5 alive,” noted Dr. Colin Young, Executive Director of the CARICOM Climate Change Center. 

“Regretfully, the fossil fuel lobby and the fact that the COP was being held in a Petro state contributed to weakened language in the decision. CARICOM and AOSIS were hoping for greater ambition and a commitment to phase out the use of fossil fuel and see a peaking by 2025 as is required by the science. Instead, we got text that refers to ‘low emission and renewable energy, which potentially can create a loophole for further development of gaps,” Young explained.

The advanced unedited copy of the cover decision notes that country parties recognize that the “unprecedented global energy crisis underlines the urgency to rapidly transform energy systems to be more secure, reliable, and resilient, including by accelerating clean and just transitions to renewable energy during this critical decade of action”.  

It also stressed the importance of enhancing a clean energy mix, including low-emission and renewable energy, at all levels as part of diversifying energy mixes and systems”; and in line with national circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards just transitions”.

According to Young, the COP also did not deliver on the promised US$ 100 billion.

 “The fact that developed countries failed to deliver the US$ 100 billion at COP27 was another disappointment; they won’t until 2023. The fact that they are failing to deliver is an erosion of trust and abdication of their historical responsibility.”

Young noted that unedited version of the cover decision notes that parties express “serious concern” that the goal of developed country parties to jointly mobilise USD 100 billion per year by 2020 in the context of meaningful mitigation action and transparency on implementation has not been met and “urges developed country parties to meet the goal”.