I wish I could say that this year will end with better news, but I’m afraid that’s not the reality in many aspects. In this case, we focus on the climate problem. More specifically, on the **climate summit** that concluded in **Katowice, Poland**. It lasted for thirteen days, and it became very clear that while much is said about the problem and possible solutions, at the end of the day, nothing really changes.
This time, the goal of **COP 24** was to agree on a roadmap that would serve as a foundation for the 197 countries that signed the **Paris Agreement** in 2015. The aim was to prevent the global temperature from increasing by more than 2°C before the end of this century.
### The Past
To gain a better understanding, we need to define what the **Paris Agreement** is. It is an agreement within the framework of the **United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change** that sets measures to reduce **Greenhouse Gas (GHG)** emissions through mitigation, adaptation, and the resilience of ecosystems to global warming effects.
“We need to make progress on the final document of COP24,” Michał Kurtyka, president of COP24.
Finally, the document drafted during **COP 24** included significant notes, such as the common rules that all nations must follow when reporting on their individual progress in the fight against climate change. The goal is to add credibility to the processes and build greater trust in the actions being taken. Another concrete matter is the recognition of the urgent need for more resources to fund climate actions, especially those required for mitigating and reducing the effects of global warming.
This sounds great, but the problem is that nothing changes. Everything remains on paper and never gets implemented.
### The Obstacles
One of the biggest obstacles is that obtaining the necessary resources to make these changes is not easy. The question remains whether these resources will be secured, especially when some of the wealthiest countries, which are also the largest polluters, are the most reluctant to contribute or commit to the required actions.
At the **Katowice Summit**, it was reaffirmed that the fight against climate change is more political and economic than it is a matter of solidarity and realism. It’s not only the **United States** government, which has decided to deny everything to defend its economic interests. **Russia**, **Saudi Arabia**, and **Kuwait** also delayed decisions because they didn’t want to include the scientific report issued by the UN’s Expert Panel, which warns of the severe consequences the planet will face if greenhouse gases are not reduced and global warming is not limited to 1.5°C.
**Brazil** announced it would not host **COP 25** next year and demanded more compensation for the Amazon’s contribution to reducing carbon dioxide.
“There’s no need for technology or science; what’s missing is commitment.”
On the other hand, the newly formed **Coalition of High Ambition**, comprising the **European Union** and 14 nations, including **Chile**, **Mexico**, **Canada**, and **New Zealand**, is stepping up the fight against climate change. However, **Colombia** is not part of the coalition. This group has decided to take the lead on climate action.
### Key Points
The **COP 24** presented a geopolitical landscape with key figures such as **U.S. President Donald Trump** and the **elected leader of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro**. However, the 197 countries of the pact managed to establish the essential (and mandatory) rules to activate the **Paris Agreement** starting in 2020.
One of the most contentious points was around a scientific report by the **Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)**. This report, which the **UN** requested three years ago, explains the impacts of global warming. **The U.S.**, **Saudi Arabia**, **Russia**, and **Kuwait** refused to accept the report because it would require greater action against climate change, which would, of course, affect them financially.
### The Results
Sadly, we can affirm that businesses, cities, and social collectives have become recognized actors in the fight against climate change.
The **World Bank** announced $200 billion in investments toward climate actions, and five banks (such as **ING**, **BBVA**, and **Societé Générale**) along with 17 sports organizations (like the **IOC** and **FIFA**) announced that they would direct their activities to help fight global warming.
The **European Union** has also approved a long-term decarbonization strategy aimed at achieving a net-zero emissions balance by 2050. It is their starting point to end the fossil fuel era.
The focus on **renewable energy** (80% of electricity), **energy efficiency** (reducing consumption by half), and **electrification of transport** (which contributes a quarter of emissions) are the three fundamental pillars.
While this information is crucial, it highlights the fact that many things were overlooked during the conference. For instance, the issue of how countries will assume responsibility for emissions was ignored. This is a critical point that was passed over.
The most serious matter is that we have only one decade left to reduce emissions by at least 50%, which would stabilize the climate.
### What’s Next?
So, after the necessary documents were written and countless words were spoken, what will actually happen? What are the next steps?
In **2019**, the **United Nations** will meet in **Chile** to begin work on emission reductions. However, the most crucial moment will be in **2020**, when countries must meet the deadline for their commitments to emission reductions and set new goals for 2030 and beyond, in alignment with scientific advances.
The silver lining, if there is one, is that countries agree on how to measure, review, and compare their contributions to the fight against greenhouse gas emissions using scientific methodology. Every country will be required to present a biennial report on its greenhouse gas emissions, absorption, future plans for further reductions, and how it is adapting to climate change or the impacts it has already faced.
