COP27 has officially begun. But what’s all the fuss about? And why does it matter? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Over the next two weeks we’ll be sharing short, simple and easy to read knowledge bites to help you make sense of the climate summit, including what it means and how you can take action locally to tackle the climate crisis.
So, what actually is COP27?
COP27 is the 27th annual UN climate change summit. Held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt this year, the summit will bring together countries to help forge a global response to the climate emergency and deliver on the landmark Paris Agreement.
The conference is designed to promote collaboration and further mobilise climate action through multilateral participation, negotiations, and declarations.
When is COP27?
It’s taking place right now! COP27 officially launched on 6th November and is taking place over the next two weeks, until 18th November.
Who will be at COP27?
Every country sends high-level representatives to participate in the negotiations. Members of the press and the media will also be in attendance. But fear not! They aren’t the only ones that have a say.
We need diverse voices and experiences to be brought to the table and take part in climate discussions – after all, climate change affects all of us in very different ways.
That’s why you can also expect to see a range of other groups and climate activists in attendance, making their voices heard. This includes youth groups, NGO’s, environmental organisations, indigenous communities and many more.
What will be discussed?
The key focus point of COP27 will be implementation. In other words – putting words and plans into action.
There are four key themes that will be at the forefront of the discussions:
- Mitigation
- Adaptation
- Finance
- Collaboration
Why does COP27 matter?
“Climate Change is the defining issue of our age; it is the central challenge of our century.”
– António Guterres, UN Secretary-General
Climate change is already happening. The latest report published in 2022 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showed that it’s ‘now or never’ to tackle the climate crisis.
That’s why COP27 is so important. It provides a forum for world leaders and critical stakeholders to take stock of the latest science and mobilise all of us to take action towards achieving the world’s climate goals.
How can I keep up to date with what’s going on?
You can find out more about the full COP27 programme of events and activities here.
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