The 25th conference of parties (COP25) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Madrid, Spain, last December was quite a phenomenon. I am presenting here my unfiltered story of personal experiences as a Michigan Tech University observer attending this global convention for the first time. The event featured official side events, high-level segments, press conferences, action hubs, pavilion events, protests and of course negotiation sessions. Since not all the negotiation meetings were open to non-country delegates (myself included), my observations are based on side events at the COP and those around the city.Inset photo: Adewale Adesanya, author of this article.
Expectations -- IPCC President’s Opening Report
Going to the COP 25 as a researcher with strong interest in climate change, sustainable energy system development and energy policy, I expected the opening remarks on Dec. 2, 2019, to start with much stronger statements on the status of things around the world -- based on the scientific report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that the world has about a decade to limit global warming below 2 degree Celsius to avoid impending catastrophes. So, I was not expecting a business as usual conference.
Indeed, the opening remarks by IPCC President Hoesung Lee, gave a great start. In his speech, the president announced that there is immediate need for reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs). He highlighted impending problems that the world could face should the globe warm beyond this temperature -- including stranded assets, threats on food security, increased risk of biodiversity loss -- as well as life on earth being compromised. Passionately, he spoke of the fact that the world is currently not doing enough to tackle this impending catastrophe!
Another point worthy of note is the change in nomenclature from "climate change" to "climate emergency." The emphasis on climate emergency is geared to create awareness of the urgency for collaborative climate action across complex multi-levels of society. The time limit is just 10 years (2030) from now to limit average global temperature to 2 degrees Celsius. For this target to be met, 7.5 percent annual emission reduction by each country is required. Certainly, this is highly ambitious but achievable if all can envision the cost of not meeting this goal. All through the COP 25 meetings, the new nomenclature was referenced and stamped.
Surprises -- My take from negotiations and side events
My first surprise is that many governments are yet to do something substantial, while few countries in Europe are coming up with great urgent plans. For example, Croatia and Greece have planned to phase out coal by 2028 as a means of limiting emissions and global warming. However, plans must be translated into actions. Many previous plans and pledges on Green Climate Financing (GCF) appeared unfulfilled. During one of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) negotiations on (GCF) on Dec. 3, the following were noted:
- Many confederations are planning to double their contributions while some are yet to make any contribution.
- EU intends to match 75 percent of its contribution.
- A Malawi delegate reported that the country was hit by climate related disasters which affected hundreds of people. However, there has been delay by GCF to provide finance for mitigation and adaptation. Sudan, Tanzania and other delegates reported the need for direct and easy access to finance for previous losses and damages as a result of climate change incidents.
- Welcoming the GCF report, Norway plans to double contributions to GCF.
- A Bangladesh delegate reported that 4 years is too long to get proposals on GCF from other countries. The delegate asserted that GCF commitment should be strictly followed and replenished without further delay.
- Canada is proposing to remit $300 million to GCF.
- Nepal demanded that there must be international cooperation for mitigation.
In another SBI meeting on Global Environmental Facility (GEF) on Dec. 4, a delegate from Iran reported that projects have not been financed. In the same vein, a Korean delegate reported that no technical or financial support had been received with respect to climate change despite submitted plans.
Some Progress at Local Level
One contributor to the global success of COP 25 is the prominence of local leaders, individuals, local communities, municipalities, counties, corporate organizations and other stakeholders in taking actions beyond the political economy of climate change at the top government level. Some local actions mentioned are as follows:
- In Slovakia various local communities are bringing about a transformation action plan against coal power plants in the region of Upper Netra.
- In Romania, six mayors from Jui Valley have signed a memorandum of understanding to implement a just transition partnership to renewable.
- In Ukraine, out of 33 state-owned coal mines, 29 have been proven not profitable. Ongoing loss of coal jobs is causing a critical need for sustainable substitutes.
- C40 is a group of 40 cities that have transitioned into fossil fuel free cities through their local leaders, communities, decisions and actions.
Another interesting session was the one organized by the Center for Biodiversity titled "Transportation and Oil: Phasing out diesel engines and their fuel" - By 2030. Panelists in this session presented actions of EU countries like Germany, Norway, etc., to phase out fossil fuel cars. Also mentioned was the issue that no country party of COP has transportation in their goals. Certainly, transportation cannot be left out if the 1.5-degree goal can be achieved before 2030.
In another presentation, one of the panelists mentioned that in West Africa, Cape Verde leads in banning fossil fuel vehicles by 2030. Based on the discussions from this session, it appears that there are small pockets of action by very few countries. It is interesting to see incremental actions along the way; however, those are not sufficient to result in desired solutions to climate emergency.
In one of the press conferences, an organization called German Watch presented a study on "Global Climate Risk Index 2020." According to their research, surprisingly, for the first time in history, three developed countries -- Japan, Germany and Canada -- now rank among the top 10 countries most hit by climate occurrences such as heatwave, extreme heat, drought, flood, etc. While Japan tops this list, Germany and Canada ranked third and ninth of the most affected countries in the 2018 risk assessment. These three countries had absolute losses of US$35 Trillion, US$5 Trillion and US$2 Trillion respectively. The rest in the top 10 are the Philippines, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Rwanda and Fiji. Previously, only developing countries topped this list of most affected. The presenters then tried to send a warning signal that the impacts of climate change (emergency) will be equally spread across the global north and south with great losses. They concluded that adequate and prompt mitigation response is required for the future.
Furthermore, Jean Lemire, an envoy for Climate Change, Nordic and Arctic Issues from Quebec, Canada, relayed his personal experience with the reality of climate change. In the session titled "Climate Change Adaptation and Risk in a Context of Multi-Level Governance," Lemire revealed how fast the ice in the Arctic is melting. He related that in June 2002 he had visited the Arctic on an adventure in a boat virtually surrounded by ice. Twelve years later around the same period (June 2013), he visited the same area again and to his surprise all the ice had melted and many boats were crossing the area. He concluded that the only explanation to this drastic change is continuous warming of the globe.
This in part has been the cause of extreme weather such as the polar vortex, heatwaves, etc. Lemire’s key message was that the impact of climate change must be brought up to mainstream authorities for immediate action and subnational governments must all work together to fight it.
At the U.S. pavilion, there were strong discussions on how America is still in on climate action despite what is happening in the White House. This was emphasized in several discussions including panelists from different places in the U.S. who talked about how their organizations and government are supporting actions on sustainability. It is surely good news and a glimpse of hope to see grassroots and stakeholder actions despite federal government disconnection with the Paris Agreement.
Another discussion at this pavilion was Virginia Climate Action, where state, city and organizational level targets were discussed. For instance, at state level, there is carbon regulation which targets 30 percent CO2 reduction in the electric sector between 2021 and 2030. While Arlington county has set greenhouse gas emission reduction of 75 percent by 2050, Richmond is reported to have set 80 percent for the same period as it transitions to 100 percent renewable electricity. Universities and business organizations are also following suit in these targets.
Michigan Tech students present sustainability research
Several campus sustainability initiatives were presented by a consortium of U.S. and Australian universities, including Michigan Tech, Colorado State University, and Clark University. During one of their press conferences, Michigan Tech researchers spoke about the Sustainability Demonstration House on Michigan Tech's campus. Other reports included the Aldo Leopold Foundation headquarters in Fairfield, Wis., and an ongoing research case study in Illinois about food, energy and water connection. These empirical cases represent how corporate organizations, individual households and communities can take actions.
Disappointment: Climate Action March with Greta Thunberg
Indigenous people were massively active at the COP25, demanding immediate action. On Friday, Dec. 6, over 500,000 people were reported to have participated in a climate action march repeating the slogan "ACTUA AHORA" (Act Now) The march, led by indigenous youths and community members, featured the young global climate action advocate Greta Thunberg, who spoke passionately about how our leaders have failed us and about the need for every individual and community to take definite grassroots action.
The next day, there was a procession for over a thousand victims of climate disasters. It was a sober, reflective and emotional moment as many of them were adjudged to be father, mother, sons and daughters of other people. However, it appears that protests and processions like these have become a norm and are taken with grain of salt. It is particularly disappointing that protests were planned as an integral part of the whole as usual, suggesting that they are now perceived as ordinary ceremonies attracting little or no attention.
Looking forward to COP26 ...
My take from this conference will rest on the positive side of what to expect in the near future as far as reaching the 2030 target is concerned. It is simply continuous grassroots actions! This will count a lot and can perhaps lead to substantial bottom-up policy changes. The role of the U.S. is very central; and, irrespective of federal government policies, state and local action can give the win. The struggle continues, the clock continues to tick towards 2030 and every day without a progressive step should be seen as failure. Hopefully, there will be better news at COP26, scheduled for November 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland!
Editor's Notes:
* Adewale Adesanya, author of this article, is a Michigan Tech doctoral student in environmental and energy policy. See also his student research blog, "The Road to COP25," written in preparation for attending the climate conference. Find him on Twitter: @EngrAdewale.
** This is the second in a series of two Keweenaw Now articles on Michigan Tech's observer team at the COP25 conference in Madrid. See the first article, "Michigan Tech observer team at COP25, Madrid: A perspective," by Shardul Tiwari, posted Apr. 21, 2020. Thanks to Alexis Pascaris, Michigan Tech MS student in environmental and energy policy, for sharing some of her photos of COP25. See Alexis's research blog describing her COP25 experience, "COP25: We Are the Solution."
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