COP27: Science Day and Youth & Future Generations Day November 10, 2022

On Thursday November 10, the focus of the conference shifted to the importance of science in achieving the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. Concurrent sessions were run with youth delegates invited to be in attendance, to ensure the thoughts of the future generations are at the forefront of considerations. 

Scientific evidence is imperative to discussions and is the common language between all of the countries present at the conference. Since COP26 both the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) have written reports which were the centre of the discussions on day four of COP27. The key takeaways are:

Adaptation vs Mitigation

In a report written by the WCRP, scientists emphasize that the potential for countries to adapt to climate change is not limitless. Rising sea levels capable of submerging coastal communities is an example of a limit to our ability to adapt and adaptation simply cannot keep up with the impacts of climate change. Mitigation is of equal, if not more importance, with mitigation and adaptation existing in an inverse relationship. Investing in mitigation will reduce our need to adapt.

Scientists confirm the need for Loss and Damage remuneration

Adaptation and mitigation will not prevent all losses and damages relating to climate change. Simon Steil, UN Climate Change Secretary, confirmed that scientists have outlined that dependence on fossil fuels will encourage vulnerabilities and it is immediately necessary to avert and minimise future loss and damage with remuneration being so high on the COP27 agenda.

Climate needs to be present on the health agenda

Scientists confirmed that there are urgent policy advancements required to ensure the climate agenda and health agenda are considered holistically. Tens of thousands of people are dying from the impacts of climate change due to lack of investment in healthcare with less than 0.5% of UNFCCC investment being directed into it (Kristie L. Ebi, Washington University).

Now or Never

Only drastic emissions cuts in the next few decades will prevent global warming from spiralling out of control. Climate change is threatening economic growth and there is a need for action at individual level. Scientists have called on governments to agree policies to change consumer and transportation habits to encourage less waste and prevent us from surpassing a point of no return.

Record number of fossil fuel lobbyists

The UN’s provisional list of COP27 attendees shows that at least 636 people classed as fossil fuel lobbyists will be attending the conference in full or in part.  Over 100 more fossil fuel lobbyists than attended COP26.

Youth & Future Generations Day

One of the main objectives of COP27 was to ensure that the voices of future generations are heard loud and clear. For the first time, a Youth-led Climate Forum has been allocated to engage young people and their perspectives, allowing them to be onboarded as soon as possible across the climate agenda. Thursday’s discussions highlighted the need for youth to ensure engagement with national leaders around more stringent policy to slow down climate change. Thursday saw the sharing of the Global Youth Statement with global leaders, which was contributed to by 149 nations of the 193 participating in climate diplomacy through the United Nations.