Nations failed to resolve a standoff regarding the timing of the UN’s next climate assessment during a meeting in China, with US representatives absent. Wealthy nations sought an accelerated timetable for updated reports, opposed by oil producers and polluters. The meeting concluded without a clear delivery deadline, causing disappointment among climate advocates as urgent action is needed against rising temperatures.
Nations were unable to resolve a disagreement regarding the schedule for the United Nations’ forthcoming major climate change assessment following an extensive meeting in China, which US representatives did not attend. The critical issue was whether the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) would provide its next three-part report before a significant UN evaluation in 2028 of the global reaction to increasing temperatures.
Wealthy nations, along with developing countries vulnerable to climate change, advocated for a faster timeline to ensure the reports would align with the latest scientific findings. However, they encountered resistance from some oil-producing and pollution-heavy nations, such as India and China. After over a day of discussions in Hangzhou, the meeting concluded without establishing a conclusive deadline for report delivery.
Zhe Yao, a global policy advisor at Greenpeace East Asia, expressed that the outcome was a “bitter disappointment,” emphasizing that the deadlock primarily benefits those who wish to impede climate initiatives. He noted that “climate vulnerable countries cannot wait” for delayed decisions when urgency is crucial due to the looming climate crisis.
The meeting’s proceedings were further complicated by the absence of US representatives, as President Donald Trump reversed policies initiated by his predecessor. Experts criticized the absence of the US from this essential scientific dialogue on climate change, highlighting that it could be significantly detrimental. Johan Rockstrom, a prominent climate scientist, articulated that “international scientific progress is key to prosperity, equity, and resilience — for the US and all nations.”
The discussions in Hangzhou followed what was recorded as the hottest year globally, amidst increasing concerns regarding the rate of climate change. UN officials emphasized urgency at the meeting’s outset, with Inger Andersen, the UN Environment Program chief, warning that “time is not on our side” and calling for ambitious outcomes from the talks. The UN’s initial stocktake published in 2023 critically assessed the inadequate progress on combatting climate warming.
In response, the COP28 climate summit issued an urgent appeal for a global shift away from fossil fuel dependency. The IPCC has cautioned that the world is on track to exceed the Paris Agreement’s long-term warming threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels as early as the 2030s, with additional studies indicating that this could happen even sooner than anticipated.
In summary, the recent UN climate meeting in Hangzhou has underscored the ongoing challenges nations face in reaching consensus on urgent climate assessments. The lack of a decisive schedule for the IPCC’s next report highlights the significant divide between those advocating for prompt action and major polluters resistant to change. Given the escalating climate situation, the need for timely and informed decision-making remains critical to addressing the global climate crisis effectively.
Original Source: www.manilatimes.net
