There is no doubt that the U.S. elections caused political uncertainty during the negotiations in Marrakech; however, this was definitely not enough to stop the irreversible global momentum of climate action. Maybe five years ago, the questioning of the continual commitment of the U.S. to climate change would have made the world shake and caused doubts about the ability of collective action to tackle such a complex issue; however, I am confident to say that we face a different reality today. Instead of disseminating collective will, the U.S. election resulted in the reaffirmation of the global commitment to climate action. It is clear that the global community is proud with the climate negotiations accomplishments thus far, specially the Paris Agreement. The reiteration of world leaders that we have reached a “point of no return” or that “there is no turning back” in the climate change fight gives hopes to the fact that the compromise to face climate change is stronger than a person, or even a country.
Leaving aside the political uncertainty, COP22 celebrates the implementation of the Paris Agreement eleven months after its approval- compared to the seven years that it took to approve the Kyoto Protocol. The new treaty has added eleven new ratifications during COP22-one hundred and eleven countries- which represent 77 percent of world GHG emissions. Adding to the positive outcomes of COP22, the U.S. Secretary of State’s message of optimism after the presidential election results highlighted the support for climate change action from U.S. business leaders, civil society, as well as American cities. He further mention that in order to successfully evade the worst effects of climate change and the costs that these consequences could place in the U.S. economy, it is fundamental to adopt and get on board the current revolution of renewable energy and the innovation and employment that comes along with this transition.
Moreso, COP22 has also demonstrated that there is a clear support from the private sector. It was determined that the private sector engagement has grown exponentially. 77 companies have now commitments to the UN Global Compact Leadership Criteria on Carbon Pricing, 200 companies- representing $4.8 trillion in market volume and responsible for 627 metric tones of CO2 eq per year- have set climate science target commitments (CCTNE 2016). Additionally, the 2016 Status Report on the Business Contribution to Global Climate Action found that since COP21, the number of participating business in this initiative has increased by 17 percent, and that 27 percent is these business participants have influential operations in countries with developing economies (CCTNE 2016).
Now is the moment to make a plan and translate our compromise against climate change into action. The countries left Marrakech with a compromise to complete the stated regulations for 2018. There is no doubt that the agenda is quite ambitious but very clear in order to maintain a focused work plan. At COP22, the countries also decided to implement a balance of progress in 2018, which gives the countries the opportunity to recheck their INDCs and come back with more ambitious objectives and planes before 2020.
As an all-encompassing global community we clearly have to face multiple challenges and changes ahead. The next years to come don’t only require individual leadership from the governments, cities, investments, business and civil society. It will also require collaboration since we have to make sure that there is a clear world economic strategy based in renewable energy and energy access in every corner of the world. Finally, we have to guarantee that every state and non-state actor is an active participant, as well as protecting and helping in the transition of the most vulnerable countries and global communities.
The message of COP22 could be summarized in that we are moving forward with the support of the market, governments and millions of people around the globe. In order words, we are all part of this change.
References
http://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/sites/default/files/The-Paris-Agreement_Z-Card_1.pdf
https://climatechange-theneweconomy.com/news-2/
http://www.efeverde.com/opinion/todos-somos-parte-la-accion-climatica-mariana-panuncio-feldman-wwf/
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