04 November 2022

Press Release

For immediate release

COP27 ‘critical moment’ for planet Earth, warns WWF

WWF is warning that COP27, which starts in Egypt this weekend, is a critical moment for planet Earth.

The environmental organisation stresses that a lack of action from world leaders, including the UK Government, on promises made a year ago in Glasgow is placing unbearable strain on our natural world, pushing life on Earth to the brink of catastrophe.

The decisions made over the next two weeks will prove crucial if we are to bring our world back to life.

Speaking about the UNFCCC in Egypt, Katie White, Executive Director of Advocacy & Campaigns at WWF says:

“A year since the commitments world leaders made in Glasgow, COP27 marks a critical moment for planet Earth. Yet in that year alone, we have seen the nature and climate crisis accelerate and the destruction of our natural world continue at terrifying speed.

“Countless countries the world over, including the UK, are failing to fulfil their promises and are off track to limit warming to 1.5°C.

“Anything less than tangible action from our leaders, starting now, is a derogation of their duty and betrayal of future generations.”

WWF warns that without coordinated global climate action which closes the chasmic gap between promises made and action taken, life on Earth as we know it will transform irreversibly.

Katie White continues:

“At COP27 in Egypt – in a year in which we’ve seen floods ravage Pakistan, famine in East Africa, record heatwaves in the U.K. and further destruction of the Amazon - world leaders must finally close the chasm between promises and action.

“We’re running out of time to prevent irreversible damage on a global scale – there is no life, no economy, no prosperity on a dead planet.

“Only by tackling the climate crisis, restoring nature and transforming the way we produce food from farm to fork will we deliver long term prosperity and ensure energy and food security.

“While we’re relieved to see the penny drop with our own Prime Minister, who will now be in Egypt next week, attendance alone is not enough.

“We need this COP to go beyond words and empty promises and urge the UK and global governments to finally produce much needed action plans and timelines by the end of the summit.

“The UK must lead from the front and take further urgent action on reducing emissions, building resilient food systems and protecting nature. Only then can we hope to bring our world back to life.”

ENDS

Katie White will be attending COP and available for interview and comment from Egypt. Please contact press@wwf.org.uk T: +44 (0) 7500 577620 for more information.

Today, 4 November 2022, WWF-UK is launching a powerful new advert depicting the race to bring our world back to life. Using ground-breaking AI technology, it shows British athletes Jessica Hunter and Melissa Owusu-Ansah racing against a combination of deforestation, burning fossil fuels, polluted seas and forest fires. The advert will premiere this evening during Channel 4’s Gogglebox.

WWF has identified these priorities for successful outcome in Egypt:

Transforming food systems

We cannot tackle the climate crisis without fixing food systems. The global food system contributes around one third of greenhouse gas emissions and is also the number one cause of biodiversity loss. We will be encouraging countries to widen the future mandate of the work stream on agriculture at COP27 (the so-called Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture) to address the entire food system.

Loss and Damage

Each year, the climate crisis leads to billions of dollars of loss and damage, often in countries where historical emissions have made a small contribution to the climate crisis. Using the Glasgow Dialogue body established at COP26, parties should agree to create a Loss and Damage funding facility with concrete money on the table.

Mitigation 

Parties must prioritise mobilising the political will, financial resources and institutional responses necessary to achieve sectoral transformation, including phase out of fossil fuels. To drive this, we need the adoption of a robust Mitigation Work Programme.

Adaption 

On adaptation, COP27 should build on the COP26 promise of at least doubling adaptation finance. We also need a commitment of earmarking 50% of public climate finance for adaptation. Both can be delivered through a roadmap on adaptation finance with an accountability mechanism.

Energy transition 

Energy efficiency and energy conservation is the most impactful way to respond to the energy crisis. The Glasgow Pact Decision called upon Parties to rapidly scale up the deployment of clean power generation and energy efficiency measures. We need to see announcements that show that countries and companies are rapidly moving towards these goals.

Nature-based solutions

Parties must recognise the critical contribution of nature to keep warming below 1.5°C and for building resilience to climate impacts. Nature-based solutions for mitigation and adaptation must be anchored in the formal outcomes of the conference. 

Civil society 

WWF strongly believes that the organisation of all COPs must be based on full access and effective participation of civil society. WWF highlights the urgency and importance of an inclusive international climate decision-making process. Without civil society sitting at the table, it will be impossible for the world to achieve the goals and commitments set out in Paris and Glasgow. Inclusion of the direct knowledge-holders and bearers of climate-related adversities is fundamental to unlock whole-of-government and whole-of-society solutions to tackle the twin climate and biodiversity crises.

You can read more about WWF’s expectations and what we want to see from global leaders at COP27 here.