Small progress at climate negotiations in Bonn insufficient for the seriousness of the situation

Germanwatch now urgently expects political signals following the conclusion of the interim technical negotiations / Special challenge on the issue of damage and loss recognised, now it is a matter of concrete financing proposals

Bonn (16 June 2022). The results of the ten-day interim negotiations that ended today in preparation for the World Climate Conference in November do not do justice to the urgency of the climate crisis, criticises the environment and development organisation Germanwatch. "The interim negotiations were a technical process of small steps. This does not fit the crisis situation the world is in. It is now up to political decision-makers to translate the preliminary work into big steps," says David Ryfisch, Team Leader for International Climate Policy. "Trust is the foundation of a successful negotiation process. However, this has eroded due to past implementation and financing promises that have been broken. If the new negotiation processes are to be successful, there now needs to be a clear vision from the Egyptian Presidency of the upcoming climate summit on where the journey should go," Ryfisch continues.

Insufficient progress on climate protection endangers 1.5 degree limit

The new climate change work programme is intended to help close the gap in implementing the 1.5 degree limit in this crucial decade. Considerable resistance to clearer steps came from China, Saudi Arabia, India and Brazil. "The major emitters among the emerging economies are resisting being forced to act on climate protection. This is also a reaction to the fact that many of the rich countries of the Global North have not kept their climate protection and financing promises for years," says Ryfisch. In the US, for example, the government is failing to back up its internationally pledged targets with legislation and budgetary resources. The EU, on the other hand, has today issued a declaration on the promotion of fossil gas with Egypt and Israel, after Chancellor Scholz has already been to Africa with the same goal.

"The ambiguity in the European response to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine makes international partners question the seriousness of the energy transition. The EU and the German government must not sow any doubts globally - this also means not driving African states into a dependence on fossil energy sources whose expiry date is known. This would be a breach of promises made at the last climate summit in Glasgow and at the G7," Ryfisch explains.

Funding to support the most vulnerable

Financial support for the poorest and most vulnerable to deal with damage and loss from climate change has been blocked for years. "There is small progress here. For the first time, all negotiating parties have accepted without ifs and buts that the need for support is real," says Ryfisch. However, due to the lengthiness of the process and past experience, this does little to change the great frustration on the part of the developing countries.

"With the ministerial declarations of the past weeks, the German G7 Presidency has contributed to the fact that industrialised countries are now finally willing to talk about financing for damage and losses. But talking is not enough, concrete pledges of support are now needed. It is up to Chancellor Scholz to put money for a global umbrella for the most vulnerable on the table at the G7 summit at the end of June and then to form a coalition of the willing at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in July to finally get concrete aid underway," Ryfisch demands.

Source: GermanWatch-PM of 16.6.2022