By Ebaide Queen Omiunu
Conference of the Parties (CoP) is an annual event that brings governments together to discuss and review how climate change is being managed domestically and internationally. CoP is important because climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time and it demands global collaboration. CoP provides an organised forum for parties to gather and discuss how best to collectively tackle climate change . It also allows high emitters and low emitters, to negotiate and agree on measurable actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and avoid dangerous climate change. Thus, the significance of CoP lies in its role as a platform for global coordination and decision-making on climate action. Furthermore, CoP meetings are crucial for integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the climate process, addressing inequalities, climate justice, and lack of finance.
Based on the foregoing, this article captures my experience at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as well as my reflections on the significance of advocacy, explores the prevailing opportunities whilst acknowledging the challenges in propelling the global climate agenda , particularly in anticipation of COP28 and beyond.
COP27, themed “Together for Implementation,” focused on collaborative efforts to implement climate action plans and agreements. The conference aimed to strengthen global partnerships, accelerate the execution of climate policies, and address challenges hindering the effective implementation of environmental initiatives. Key topics covered included sustainable development, emission reduction strategies, and fostering implementation.
Advocacy plays a pivotal role in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the realm of sustainability and climate change, advocacy supports by acting as a powerful amplifier of outcomes from CoP meetings. Advocacy also elevates the impact of CoP decisions by raising awareness among various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, businesses, and the public. Through this heightened awareness, advocacy ensures that the agreements and commitments made at CoP are widely disseminated and comprehended, thereby fostering support and garnering commitment for their implementation.
Likewise, advocacy assumes a crucial responsibility in holding stakeholders accountable for the pledges and actions they agree upon during CoP. Through continuous monitoring, reporting, and subjecting these commitments to public scrutiny, advocacy ensures that governments and other involved parties remain steadfast in fulfilling their obligations. This includes tangible steps towards climate action and SDGs, such as financial support and adherence to outlined plans.
Additionally, given that CoP discussions often revolve around financial assistance, technology transfer, and capacity-building for developing nations, advocacy becomes instrumental in resource mobilization. It persuades governments, private sectors, and philanthropic organizations to contribute both financial and technical resources, aligning their efforts with CoP objectives for climate adaptation and mitigation projects.
Advocacy efforts further play a crucial role in shaping policy reforms and public opinion in harmony with the objectives set during CoP meetings. By influencing decision-makers and advocating for necessary policy alterations, advocacy facilitates the translation of CoP decisions into actionable policies. This process also encourages individual behavioral changes that support climate action and the effective pursuit of SDGs.
Additionally, CoP emphasizes the necessity of collaboration across sectors, regions, and countries. Advocacy catalyzes forging partnerships by bringing together diverse stakeholders. It fosters knowledge sharing and promotes collective action, encouraging collaborations that pool resources, expertise, and best practices to achieve the goals articulated during CoP discussions.
In essence, the role of advocacy is essential for shaping policy, changing attitudes, and increasing accountability. Civil society and business play a crucial role in advocating for policy reforms and public resources to support sustainability practices, as well as unlocking additional resources and enhancing capabilities for implementation.
At COP27, I was impressed by the initiatives and solutions that were showcased by various stakeholders to advance the circular economy in different sectors and regions. For instance, I learned about the Enhancing Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Climate Transformation (ENACT) launched by the COP27 Presidency. This initiative aims to support African countries in implementing NbS that are based on circular economy principles, such as agroforestry, sustainable land management, ecosystem restoration, green infrastructure, and waste-to-energy. These solutions can help enhance climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, food security, water availability, and social inclusion.
Another key lesson for me is is that we need to learn, unlearn, and relearn how to address climate change and sustainability issues. This means that we need to acquire new knowledge and skills, challenge our assumptions and biases, and adopt new mindsets and behaviors that are aligned with the principles of sustainable development. An example of this is the concept of circular economy, which aims to use resources more efficiently and reduce waste and pollution by designing products and systems that are restorative and regenerative. The circular economy is not only a technical solution, but also a cultural shift that requires us to rethink our consumption patterns, production models, and value chains. Unfortunately, most people still have a limited understanding of what circular economy means and how it can benefit them and the planet. Therefore, we need more education and awareness-raising efforts to promote these topical issues, such as the circular economy as a viable alternative to the linear economy that is based on extraction, production, consumption, and disposal.
Another important learning point at COP27 is climate finance, which refers to the financial flows that support low-carbon development and adaptation in developing countries. Climate finance is essential for enabling these countries to pursue their climate goals and ambitions under the Paris Agreement. However, climate finance faces many challenges, such as insufficient funding, complex procedures, limited capacity, and lack of transparency and accountability. These challenges are especially acute for small island developing states (SIDS), and other developing economies, which are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their geographic location, size, isolation, exposure to natural hazards, and dependence on external resources.
Also, some recommendations and proposals were put forward by various actors to scale up climate finance and make it more accessible, effective, and equitable for SIDS and other developing countries. Some of these recommendations include mobilizing private sector investment, enhancing transparency and accountability mechanisms, strengthening partnerships and coordination among donors and recipients, simplifying application processes and criteria, building institutional and technical capacity, and ensuring alignment with national priorities and plans.
Furthermore, COP27 expressed deep concern about growing losses due to climate change and urged an effective response. The COP emphasized addressing gaps in global climate monitoring systems, especially in developing countries, and invited partners to support the Early Warnings for All initiative.
Looking ahead, I am hopeful but also realistic about expectations from COP28, which will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. COP28 will be a crucial moment for the global community to demonstrate its commitment and action to tackle the climate crisis and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Some of the key issues and priorities that should be addressed at COP28 include:
Fast-tracking the energy transition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This will require accelerating the deployment of renewable energy sources, phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, enhancing energy efficiency, and promoting innovation and technology transfer.
Transforming climate finance to mobilize at least $100 billion per year by 2025 and beyond to support developing countries in their mitigation and adaptation efforts. This will require increasing the share of public finance, leveraging private finance, addressing the balance between mitigation and adaptation, and ensuring predictability and adequacy of funding.
(Part of a paper presented at Conference of Parties, CoP27)
Putting nature and people at the heart of climate action to protect and restore ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources that are essential for human well-being and livelihoods. This will require implementing nature-based solutions, promoting sustainable land use and management, reducing deforestation and forest degradation, and enhancing ocean conservation and governance.
Mobilizing for an inclusive COP to ensure that all stakeholders, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, such as women, youth, indigenous peoples, and local communities, are engaged and empowered in the decision-making and implementation processes of climate action. This will require strengthening the participation and representation of non-state actors, enhancing the transparency and accountability of the negotiations, and fostering dialogue and cooperation among different constituencies and sectors.
As an advocate for sustainability and climate change, I plan to continue my work and engagement in the lead-up to COP28 and beyond. Thus, it is safe to conclude that advocacy is crucial to mobilize people irrespective of the community or society to charge everyone, as an individual to play a role in the realization of climate change goals or objectives.
In conclusion, my experience at COP27 was enriching, inspiring, and challenging. I also realized that advocacy is a lifeline to sustainability and climate change, by raising awareness, influencing policies, and mobilizing communities. Through strategic communications and public engagement, advocates can promote eco-friendly practices, lobby for sustainable policies, and inspire collective action. This proactive approach is essential in fostering a global mindset shift towards responsible environment stewardship, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable future. Therefore, I urge all young people to join me in this advocacy journey, as we have the power and the responsibility to make a difference for ourselves and for generations to come.