Swiss diplomat at climate conference: “We must face reality”

It is almost certain: 2023 will be the warmest year since measurements began. And emissions of climate-damaging greenhouse gases are reaching a new high. But – and this is a glimmer of hope – emissions could start falling as early as 2024. This is what a report from the Berlin-based NGO Climate Analytics has just discovered.

The chance of this happening is therefore 70 percent, so it will not be an absolute success. Especially as the world is heading towards almost 3 degrees of warming by the end of the century thanks to the climate protection commitments made so far. This is well above the target of the Paris Climate Agreement, which stipulates that global warming must be limited to less than 2 degrees, or better yet to 1.5 degrees.

Under these circumstances, the two-week COP28 climate conference with around 200 countries starts on Thursday. In an oil state of all places, where the host, Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, heads the state oil company Adnoc, which is planning numerous new fossil fuel projects. But that does not alter the fact that Dubai is now the last chance to turn the tide. Swiss delegation leader Felix Wertli from the Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU) explains how this can be achieved – and why the prospects are not so bleak.

You hear almost only bad news about the climate. How depressing is this for you as a climate diplomat?
FELIX WERTLI: We must face reality: the Paris climate conference has created enormous momentum. But we are not moving fast or far enough to even come close to meeting climate goals. At the same time, I am convinced that it is the diplomatic path that will take us forward. Alarm messages wear out over time. If it is always said that everything is a catastrophe, everything will go wrong. That sounds like surrender…

What do you propose instead?
I like the recommendations of Jim Skea, head of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He recently said in an interview that they had ensured that constructive statements and opportunities for action were formulated in the IPCC climate reports. There is no doubt that there is now pressure to act quickly. But we can still do it and still have a chance in Dubai. But only if the findings of science are heard in the negotiations and all countries face their responsibilities, especially those with high emissions. Clear signals to the economy are also important

What are you thinking of?
There is great potential in renewable energy. Growth is already enormous and prices are falling sharply. By 2030, countries should triple the use of renewable energy sources and double energy efficiency. That is why Switzerland supports in the negotiations the phasing out of gas and oil by 2050 and coal by 2040. If we get this through, it will be a strong signal to the markets. This in turn helps direct investments in the right direction. The good thing is that there is enough money. Too much of it still flows to the fossil fuel industry instead of climate-friendly energy sources. Switzerland has an important influence here because it is one of the most important financial centers

At the last climate conference it was decided to establish a loss and damage fund to financially compensate poorer countries for climate damage. How are efforts to provide such support progressing?
The good news is that industrialized countries are expected to meet the global climate protection target of $100 billion this year for the first time. The aim is to support developing countries in adapting to climate change and building a climate-friendly economy. We are also well on our way to reaching an agreement on the Loss and Damages Fund; where it will be located, who will benefit from it and through what mechanism the funds will be distributed

Who pays how much into the pot?
This is one of the unanswered questions. Currently, the industrialized countries play the role of donor. The problem is that countries with very high greenhouse gas emissions are not obliged to contribute financially to the compensation payments. These are, for example, China, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. Because according to the agreement they are still among the developing countries, despite their now strong economic power. It is clear that this is not a fair solution – and that adjustments are needed.

Without these countries it will not be possible to sufficiently reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Precisely. The US, China and India alone are responsible for almost 45 percent of global emissions. The G20, i.e. the most important industrialized and emerging countries, for 80 percent. Switzerland will be an uncomfortable interlocutor at the climate conference and will clearly argue that the biggest polluters must do their part to protect the climate.

Switzerland itself is not a model student when it comes to climate protection. Why would her demand impress the others?
Switzerland is a reliable and respected partner in the climate negotiations. We are in the middle of the field worldwide. That doesn’t make us a model student. But unfortunately this does not apply to any country in the negotiations. Our advantage at the climate conference is that we lead the Environmental Integrity Group. This is the only negotiating group at the COP in which developed and developing countries are represented. This helps reduce tensions between these two camps. The suggestions from the group enjoy a high degree of credibility

The great tensions between the West and the rest of the world have been exacerbated by the Russian invasion and the conflict in the Middle East. Is climate diplomacy even possible in such a polarized world?
Of course, the COP does not take place in a vacuum, but in the middle of a complicated situation. At the same time, there is hardly a country that does not recognize climate change as a problem. I firmly believe that common climate goals can have a unifying effect

According to the New York Times, US President Joe Biden will not participate in the world conference.
Naturally, the presence of heads of state from countries with large emissions at the COP is always desirable. Lately there have been very positive signals from the US and China that give me a lot of hope. The top representatives of these two countries have just met for four days of consultations in California. Joe Biden and Chinese state and party leader Xi Jinping also exchanged ideas and reaffirmed their desire to work together to combat global warming.

What will it take to call this year’s climate conference a success?

The most important thing is that we agree on practical recommendations that apply to all countries, so that the 1.5 degree target is not lost. This includes all countries that commit to reducing emissions by 43 percent by 2035, 60 percent by 2040 and to zero by 2050. A clear commitment is needed to phase out fossil fuels. Ultimately, I will be satisfied if the focus is on the common will to finally achieve the climate goal. (aargauerzeitung.ch)