Page 18 - IBs November 2022

Climate Change Climate Change

Illustration: Simon Kneebone

A TICK FOR LOSS AND DAMAGE

BUT NO COMMITMENT ON EMISSIONS IN EGYPT

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti was seen by many as a defining COP for delivering ambitious
outcomes for the African region and climate vulnerable coun-
The disconnect between countries was palpable at the re- tries. Now that it has wrapped up, the question remains: did
cent COP27 climate conference, as small island nations fought COP27 deliver?
with developing countries to get their issues onto the agenda The Regional Policy Coordinator at Pacific Islands Climate
and into negotiations. Action Network (PICAN), Lavetanalagi Seru, says there were
Addressing the COP27 plenary, Pacific Islands Forum Secre- both wins and losses.
tary General, Henry Puna expressed his frustration, saying, “It was frustrating to see how a number of countries kept
“For us, ‘urgent and immediate action’ is not just a rallying stalling and blocking any progress of the negotiations, we saw
cry; it is a statement of survival.” how united the Pacific negotiators were, together with the Al-
He continued: “I am disappointed that interest groups are liance of Small Island States, and the G77 plus China, despite
hampering the process of transitioning to clean and renewable the efforts of some developed countries to divide the G77 plus
energy, using global events as a pretext for a lack of change,” China,” Seru said.
he said. “We saw our negotiators’ unwavering efforts, working late
The ‘African COP’, also dubbed the ‘implementation COP’ into the night to ensure and secure nothing less than what we

18 Islands Business, November 2022