Swiss non-governmental organizations (NGOs) WWF, Alliance Sud, Heks and Terre des hommes state in press releases about the world climate conference (COP27) starting Sunday in Sharm el Sheikh that climate change is progressing faster and has destructive consequences, especially for people. in the countries of the south, unfold.
The world is far from limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. Patrick Hofstetter, climate expert at WWF Switzerland, is currently heading towards 2.4 to 3.0 degrees.
Switzerland should therefore advocate a faster pace in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Alliance Sud, Witch and Terre des hommes also demand this. De Heks speaks of a “possible last chance to turn the tide” and calls for appropriate compensation for climate damage suffered.
Compensation for climate damage
According to the NGOs, the global community’s response to the climate crisis should not be limited to ecological measures. The ecological change must be fair and socially acceptable. People in poorer regions of the world paid the highest price. Switzerland must therefore work to increase support for the South on financing issues.
It is crucial to see the needs of these countries as equals, emphasizes Christina Aebischer, who is attending the conference on behalf of Helvetas. Switzerland must therefore “actively support consensus solutions as a constructive bridge builder”.
According to Alliance Sud, Swiss companies that would make a significant contribution to climate change also have a duty. That is why you should also participate in a fund to compensate climate-related damage.
Alliance Sud criticizes poor payment practices
According to Swiss NGOs, industrialized countries should finally deliver on their promise and provide $100 million annually to mitigate the effects of climate change in the most affected developing countries. Alliance Sud criticizes the bad payment practices of the major publishers. Switzerland is also not meeting its obligations sufficiently at the moment.
“Instead of providing new, additional funds, Switzerland mainly uses funds budgeted for development cooperation,” notes Angela Lindt of Caritas Switzerland. Climate protection and poverty alleviation would be played off against each other.
Climate targets by 2030
The 27th Climate Change Conference will take place from 6 to 18 November in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The Swiss delegation, led by Franz Perrez, head of the international department of the Federal Office for the Environment, wants to “commit to an ambitious work program for the period up to 2030, which will lead to concrete decisions by states for climate change protection”.
The rules for the implementation of the Paris Agreement will be further specified at the conference. An important topic will be how states can implement their climate targets submitted under the Paris Agreement by 2030, so that the 1.5 degree target can be met.
It is also intended to lay down implementing rules for the market mechanism decided at COP26. This mechanism allows countries to carry out climate protection projects abroad and to attribute the emission reductions achieved to their own climate objectives.
At the start of COP27, President Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland at Monday’s meeting of heads of state or government. Environment Minister Simonetta Sommaruga will participate in the discussions of environment ministers in the second week of the conference.
(SDA)