Clima: cosa sono le Cop, le conferenze che devono salvarci dal riscaldamento globale

Summary

The script traces the history of global climate action through the COP conferences, from the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio to the present day. Key milestones include the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, the Paris Agreement in 2015, and the creation of the loss and damage fund at COP27 in 2022. The narrative highlights both the successes and setbacks in international climate negotiations, illustrating the challenges in reducing emissions and achieving climate justice. As COP28 approaches, the urgency to accelerate global cooperation and action on climate change becomes even more critical for a sustainable future.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first COP meeting in 1992 marked a global commitment to tackling climate change, with the UNFCCC established as a foundation for future negotiations.
• 😀 The early years of COP conferences were characterized by a divide between industrialized nations, responsible for historical emissions, and developing countries suffering from climate change impacts.
• 😀 1997's Kyoto Protocol introduced binding emission reduction targets for industrialized nations, but the delayed implementation meant emissions continued to rise in the interim.
• 😀 The Copenhagen COP15 in 2009 was a significant failure, as countries failed to agree on concrete measures to address climate change, highlighting the challenges of international cooperation.
• 😀 The Paris Agreement in 2015 brought global consensus, with 196 nations committing to limit global warming to well below 2°C, ideally to 1.5°C, through voluntary emission reduction pledges.
• 😀 Greta Thunberg's activism in 2018, along with the Fridays for Future movement, brought renewed urgency and visibility to the climate crisis, especially among younger generations.
• 😀 The 2018 IPCC report underscored the need to limit global warming to 1.5°C, warning that current promises were insufficient to prevent catastrophic climate impacts.
• 😀 At COP27 in 2022, a historic 'Loss and Damage' fund was created to help vulnerable countries recover from the impacts of climate change, marking progress towards climate justice.
• 😀 Despite progress on climate finance and adaptation, emissions continue to rise, and the fight for effective mitigation remains the primary challenge.
• 😀 COP28 in Dubai will be a critical opportunity to accelerate action on emissions reductions, as the climate crisis intensifies and global cooperation remains crucial for a sustainable future.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 for the COP process?

The Rio Earth Summit in 1992 was the starting point for the COP conferences, where the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was created. This laid the foundation for global cooperation on climate action, establishing the goal to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations to avoid dangerous climate interference.

How did the debate on emissions reduction evolve during the early COP conferences?

In the early COP conferences, there was a clear division between industrialized nations, responsible for most historical emissions, and developing nations, which were more vulnerable to climate change. The challenge was how to balance responsibilities, with developed countries being asked to take the lead in reducing emissions, while developing nations called for financial and technical support.

What was the Kyoto Protocol, and what impact did it have on global climate negotiations?

Adopted at COP3 in 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was a major milestone as it legally required industrialized nations to reduce their CO2 emissions by 5% from 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. However, its delayed implementation and lack of binding commitments from developing nations led to limited overall impact on emissions reduction.

What was the main outcome of COP15 in Copenhagen, 2009?

COP15 in Copenhagen was considered a failure as governments could not agree on a new climate treaty. However, the idea of a Green Climate Fund, aimed at providing $100 billion per year to help developing nations adapt to climate change, was born from these discussions, though no binding agreement was reached.

How did the Paris Agreement, adopted at COP21 in 2015, change the approach to global climate action?

The Paris Agreement, adopted at COP21, marked a significant shift by setting a global goal to limit temperature rise to well below 2°C, with efforts to keep it below 1.5°C. It introduced voluntary, nationally determined contributions (NDCs) for emissions reductions, allowing countries to set their own targets but with a global framework for accountability.

What role did Greta Thunberg play in the climate movement during COP24 in 2018?

At COP24 in 2018, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg became a global symbol of youth climate activism, leading the Fridays for Future movement. Her speeches and actions galvanized public attention and underscored the urgency of taking immediate action to address the climate crisis.

What was the major takeaway from the 2018 IPCC report published around COP24?

The 2018 IPCC report emphasized the critical need to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. It highlighted that current commitments would lead to a temperature rise of 2.4°C, underscoring the urgency for governments to take more aggressive action to cut CO2 emissions.

What historical decision was made at COP27 in 2022 regarding climate finance?

At COP27 in 2022, a historic decision was made to establish a 'loss and damage' fund. This fund would provide financial support from industrialized nations to countries most affected by climate change but least responsible for it, helping them cope with the losses and damages caused by extreme weather events and climate-related impacts.

Why are COP conferences considered the most effective platform for global climate action?

COP conferences are seen as the most effective platform for global climate action because they bring together nearly every country in the world, providing a venue for negotiation, agreement on action, and accountability. Although progress can be slow, the collective nature of the process ensures that no country can act alone and that global cooperation is essential.

What is the key challenge moving forward toward COP28 in 2024?

The key challenge leading up to COP28 is the need for urgent and accelerated action on emissions reductions. Despite some progress, global CO2 emissions are still rising, and the world is not on track to meet the targets set in the Paris Agreement. There is a critical need for stronger commitments and actions from all countries to mitigate climate change and ensure a sustainable future.