Articles

COP27 at a Glance!

Share

You must have heard the big news: Egypt is hosting the largest international conference on climate change and the environment, the Conference of the Parties (COP27) this year 2022.

Following World War II and the ensuing Cold War, the world seemed ready to start a new chapter in global development and international cooperation. By the beginning of the 1990s, environmental problems had popped out as a global concern that deserves international attention.

In response, in June 1992, the United Nations organized the Rio Earth Summit in Brazil, where 156 governments signed an international environmental treaty to combat dangerous human interference with the climate system. The treaty known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) had a mission to raise global public awareness on related issues.

COP was launched to serve as a link to all member countries, with the aim of holding regular annual meetings attended by Heads of State, Ministers, environmental experts and NGOs. The first edition was held in 1995, and was hosted by Germany. After 27 years, the time has come for Egypt to take part in organizing this huge event in Sharm el-Sheikh.

By 2020, UNFCCC had 197 State parties. These parties will meet in the COP27 to address the climate crisis, which requires urgent collective action.

Globally, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are impacting the lives of millions of people. Global warming is causing serious alarming consequences for human beings and all other forms of life on earth. Scientists expect the climate crisis will worsen the current social, economic, and environmental threats. That is why urgent actions and collective efforts to combat the adverse impacts of climate change are of great importance.

Powered by science and guided by the Member Countries’ agreements, decisions, pledges, and commitments throughout the past 27 years, COP27 aims to move from negotiations and planning to implementation. The Conference will focus on four main goals:

  • Mitigation: Limiting global warming to well below 2°c.
  • Adaptation: Adapting to extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, floods, and forest fires.
  • Finance: Enhancing transparency of financial flows and supporting the needs of developing countries.
  • Collaboration: Facilitating agreement in the negotiations and ensuring adequate representation of all relevant stakeholders.

There are many benefits to Egypt's hosting of COP27. The Conference would play a major role in advancing Egypt’s efforts to implement its 2030 strategy for sustainable development. It would also support Egypt’s endeavor for green recovery, which is a bundle of environmental, regulatory, and fiscal reforms to recover prosperity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Besides the environmental benefits, COP27 will contribute to promoting tourism in Egypt, and will attract investments from international and regional partnerships. The exhibitions and events that will be held on the sidelines of the Conference will promote Egyptian industries, products, and handcrafts. It will also play a vital role in highlighting critical Egyptian issues, such as water security and how climate change will affect it.

Moreover, it will confirm the ability of Egypt to host and manage high profile international events. Finally, it will provide opportunities to raise funding sources from international organizations to finance projects that address climate change in Egypt.

As we approach COP27, we hope it will help us secure a sustainable future for all nations, peoples, as well as all forms of life on mother Earth.

References
cop27.eg
sis.gov.eg
unfccc.int


Cover image: cop27.eg

About Us

SCIplanet is a bilingual edutainment science magazine published by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Planetarium Science Center and developed by the Cultural Outreach Publications Unit ...
Continue reading

Contact Us

P.O. Box 138, Chatby 21526, Alexandria, EGYPT
Tel.: +(203) 4839999
Ext.: 1737–1781
Email: COPU.editors@bibalex.org

Become a member

© 2024 | Bibliotheca Alexandrina