The Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction is proud to have once again represented our members at the 27th Session of the UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP 27) that took place between 6 – 18 November 2022.
This document brings together all the daily updates as shared on the GNDR community platform throughout the COP27 negotiations. It aims to give an overview of the events the GNDR secretariat and members actively participated in and organised, and share information from member state negotiations. Whilst these daily updates were developed first and foremost to keep our members from across the globe updated on what was happening at COP27, they can also be used for reporting to donors, tracking project activities, and sharing with wider external audiences. Please use this information for all project reporting, donor updates, and requests that come to you about our work at COP27. French and Spanish-translated versions of this can be found on the community platform.
Our Climate Lead shared some key achievements made by the COP27 negotiators including :-
- All governments finally agreed on setting up a loss and damage fund.
- The text on the Santiago Network for loss and damage was approved, which means the operations of the network can finally start.
- The mobilisation of resources did move forward.
- A review of the role of the EU was formally agreed upon.
- The mobilisation of 210 million euros to support the 20 most vulnerable countries in the world was signed off.
On the one hand, it is a historical moment to have loss and damage finally being committed to and it does feel like a momentous step forward, our members shared that they feel it is particularly poignant as it has been agreed on African soil. This means there is hope that the greatest polluters will be held to account for the devastating impact of climate change.
However, on the other hand, we also reflect with disappointment on the final text on loss and damage. We feel that it is weak and lacks the level of accountability required to commit to loss and damage. Yes, it is a step forward to have loss and damage firmly on the table and included in the formal negotiations. However, more is required if countries in the global north, those who have contributed to climate change the most, are going to be held to account and support the countries in the global south facing the devastating impacts of climate change.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment was the outcome of fossil fuels. COP27 failed to pass a motion to phase out fossil fuels which are the root cause of the climate crisis. We still need a rapid and equitable transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy. This is a matter not just of environmental protection and mitigation of climate change but of global security too.
Adding to this, COP27 has been one of the most expensive, elitist, and exclusive COPs since the negotiations began. Yet, it was also the first time a loss and damage fund was being formally negotiated. A pivotal moment where decisions impacting those on the frontline of risk, struggle even more to have a seat in the negotiations. We are yet again reminded of the shrinking space for civil society and how ever more challenging it is becoming to have a local voice included in decision-making and meaningful engagement of those living on the frontline of climate risk. This must change, and we urge the UNFCCC to review this and make sure future COPs are more accessible for CSOs.
Overall, whilst progress has been made we are disappointed in the outcome.
We still have much work to do together to hold member states accountable and we urge GNDR members to continue to come together and align their passion, commitment and work on this.
You can read the final text outcomes from COP27 through these links:
- Cover decisions https://unfccc.int/documents/624395
- Loss and Damage finance: https://unfccc.int/documents/624364
- New Collective Quantified Goal on Finance: https://unfccc.int/documents/624357
- Mitigation Work Program: https://unfccc.int/documents/624349
- Global Goal on Adaptation: https://unfccc.int/documents/624362
A huge thanks to all the GNDR members, partners, and friends who contributed towards championing our collective Call-to-Action at COP27.
Read all GNDR’s COP27 daily updates here.