COP27, Global Dialogues must enhance urban engagement

To fast-track local climate actions, the role of cities and local governments and their representations should be at the centre of climate dialogues. Urban representation in COP27 was trifling. This year, COP27 had a dozen thematic days; ironically, none was dedicated to cities, despite the fact, 70 per cent plus GHG emission comes from urban centres. Urban representation globally and nationally must be enhanced in such events for effective long-term impacts

COP27 is over, and it ended on a progressive note with the agreement to create a Loss and Damage Fund. The developed countries will contribute to this fund, which will be used to pay for the damages and losses incurred in developing and vulnerable countries because of the negative impacts of climate change. The details of the fund and how it will be used will be revealed in the COP28 in Dubai based on the recommendations of a transitional committee. COP27 was a two-week event but was extended for two more days to reach a consensus on the Loss and Damage Fund.
Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, said, “We have determined a way forward on a decades-long conversation on funding for loss and damage – deliberating over how we address the impacts on communities whose lives and livelihoods have been ruined by the very worst impacts of climate change.”
‘Loss and Damage’ in this context means economic and non-economic costs suffered by vulnerable countries because of extreme weather events like cyclones, floods, drought, etc. These countries have suffered for no mistake of theirs. Historically, many developing countries had a negligible contribution to cumulative GHG emissions. Yet these countries have suffered damages and incurred losses because of weaker safeguards. The Loss and Damage fund will enable these countries to access funding from this pool to repair the damages, support the communities that suffered, and plan for mitigation and adaptation so these nations are prepared for the impending climate crisis. The countries have not just incurred financial losses comprising livelihoods, lives, houses, and agricultural land but also paid for intangible losses like culture, loss of biodiversity, etc. Thus it has been a long-pending demand from poor countries.

Cities to be at forefront in war against Climate Change

The fight against climate justice is one in which all countries are together. The rich, the poor, and the developing do not matter, as the negative impacts of climate change are affecting one and all. And everyone needs to put collective efforts into mitigation and adaptation. This year Conference of Parties in Egypt also underlined the urgency to take corrective measures soon to arrest the global temperature rise. The conference was extended by two days to agree on the Loss and Damage fund issue.
From COP1 (1995) in Berlin to COP27 (2022) in Egypt, GHG emissions have risen, and so has the global temperature. According to Our World in Data, the cumulative GHG emission was around 33.81 billion tonnes in 1995. Today, it is 50 billion tonnes. Nothing much has changed. Of course, the global population has increased by almost the same proportion. Despite actions on the outcome of these events, like countries around the world moving to sustainable energy resources, adopting circular economy, and making their industrial operations energy-efficient, the progress is not encouraging; at least the changing climate and its impacts tell that everything is not right.
In his opening speech, António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, highlighted the urgency of addressing the issue and made a bold statement that the world is on a “highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator.” He added: “It is the defining issue of our age. It is the central challenge of our century. It is unacceptable, outrageous and self-defeating to put it on the back burner.” Indeed, scientific evidence suggests that the issue of climate change cannot be ignored at any level. The nations are making commitments to reduce emissions on a larger scale, but the role of local governments cannot be side-lined in this war.
With more urban centres coming up everywhere, GHG emission in cities is bound to grow further. Buildings and transport are among the most prominent sectors which need transformational changes to reduce emissions. Cities can help the world put off the foot from the accelerator leading the world to climate hell because both these sectors, in most countries, are governed locally. National governments can make a broader policy decision on reducing emissions, but local wisdom and governance strength must be optimally utilized. If cities take concrete steps to reduce emissions, they will improve urban air quality and protect citizens from serious pulmonary diseases.
To do this, urban engagement must be enhanced so city leaders can talk about operational issues and suggest pragmatic solutions to complex problems related to climate change on global and national platforms. If the cities are not engaged in decision-making, achieving the targeted objectives could become problematic.
In a statement, Sadiq Khan, London Mayor, said, “We (cities) can achieve net zero carbon by 2030 and keep the crucial goal of 1.5 degrees within reach if city mayors and citizens are empowered to play a central role in future COPs. Cities are the doers — and now we need the delayers to join us.” COP27 had about 11 thematic days this year: Finance Day, Science Day, Youth and Future Generations Day, Decarbonisation Day, Adaptation and Agriculture Day, Gender Day, Water Day, Ace and Civil Society Day, Energy Day, Biodiversity Day and Solutions Day. None of them specifically focused on cities. However, there was an important session during Solutions Day on Housing and Urban Ministerial on Cities and Climate Change, “The Road from COP27 to WUF12”. It included the launch of the Sustainable Urban Resilience for The Next Generation (SURGe) initiative and a ministerial panel discussion on urbanization and climate change. The event aimed to enhance synergies between urban stakeholders and climate. Under this initiative, it was acknowledged that there is limited recognition of local-level action at the national and global levels. It underlined the lack of local climate financing, the need to strengthen the local capacity to address climate issues effectively, and the inequality at the local level so that vulnerable groups are not disadvantaged during climate crises.

India’s NDC and LiFE – Lifestyles for Environment

India updated its National Determined Contribution (NDC) under Paris Agreement and submitted it to UNFCC in August this year. The first addition in the updated NDC was: “To put forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation, including through a mass movement for ‘LiFE’– ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ as a key to combating climate change.” Another update was: “To reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 per cent by 2030, from 2005 level.” It is important to note here that India is on a fast track to fulfilling its commitment. As of 2016, the nation had reduced its emission by 24 per cent. It had committed to reducing 33-35 per cent by 2030. Another important update in the submitted NDC was a shift to 50 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources
by 2030.
Indian Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav led the Indian delegation to COP27. When back in India, he highlighted the global acceptance of the LiFE Mission. He said, “At COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shared his vision of LiFE – Lifestyles for Environment as a key approach to promoting sustainability and combating climate change. Since then, much work has been done to translate this vision into a plan of action. Mission LiFE was conceptualised to take forward this message to the global community.
The cover decision of COP27, called the Sharm el-Sheikh implementation plan, notes the importance of the transition to sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption and production for efforts to combat climate change. India seeks to involve a billion people in this global mass movement of Mission LiFE. We made a start with several LiFE-related events at the India Pavilion during COP27. One immediate task ahead is to create a LiFE compendium of global best practices on sustainable lifestyles. This will be a comprehensive repository containing best practices from around the world.” Like any mission, the LiFE mission will be successful with people’s participation, and for this, local governments in cities and villages need to reach out to citizens.
India also pushed for phasing down fossil fuel in this COP, but it did not get specific mention in the declaration. The nation has also taken steps in adapting to climate change and creating carbon sink with strategic interventions, but there are challenges. India is well-positioned to take a global leadership role in ensuring that committed climate financing reaches needy nations.
Indian cities can also leverage the opportunity as the way the Indian government has aligned its climate actions, primarily focusing on clean technology, allows municipalities to streamline their operations. Suppose urban operations in the areas under urban local bodies in India become energy-efficient. In that case, it will not just help India’s work on its NDC but also improve the financial conditions of the municipalities as a large chunk of their budget goes into paying energy bills. Cleantech generally means a range of products or services that reduces environmental impacts by improving energy efficiency by increasing optimal usage of resources and eliminating or purifying emissions and waste materials. This adoption includes renewable energy technologies like solar, wind, hydro, etc., the technology used in green buildings, and high-tech EV technologies, among others.
Cities need to shift to clean technology alternatives immediately and should take the help of organisations which can help them access green climate funds. For that, cities will have to come out with innovative project proposals which are sustainable, reliable and financially feasible for long-term operation. The funds are available, but the cities must steer their activities in the right direction. It can happen with enhanced exposure to the knowledge available in the domain, learning from peers and sharing their experiences with the world. Not just the existing cities, such an approach could be beneficial for the new cities and towns. They can chart their development in a sustainable, inclusive and resilient way and be prepared to face any crisis.

From COP1 (1995) in Berlin to COP27 (2022) in Egypt, GHG emissions have risen, and so has the global temperature. According to Our World in Data, the cumulative GHG emission was around 33.81 billion tonnes in 1995. Today, it is 50 billion tonnes. Nothing much has changed