COP27: Glimmers of hope, but much more is needed to bring justice

Climate talks at this year’s COP27 ignited hope on loss and damage, but much more is needed to tackle the climate crisis. In this blog post, Christian international development charity Tearfund looks at the outcomes of the COP27 summit in Egypt, and reflects on how we as Christians can pray for climate justice and demonstrate love to the world’s poorest people experiencing extreme poverty caused by climate change.

COP27 finally drew to a close in the early hours of Sunday 20th November, running into almost-record overtime as leaders struggled to reach agreement on key issues. Billed as an ‘implementation COP’, this summit was expected to demonstrate real action, especially in delivering climate finance and phasing out fossil fuels. Yet, at a summit held on African soil – home to some of the most climate-vulnerable communities in the world – there have been many stories of suffering, but few real signs of progress.

Falling short on finance…

The message from climate-vulnerable countries and communities in the run-up to and at COP27 has been clear and consistent: wealthy countries must deliver financial support to meet their climate targets and help low-income countries adjust to the impacts of climate change. In a year of climate chaos, the need for this support has never been clearer.

But leaders in wealthy countries have put very little new cash on the table. This COP simply recognised the ongoing failure of wealthy nations to deliver the long-overdue $100 billion that Tearfund and many others have been calling for. Apologies fall short when their climate finance promises remain broken, and millions of people in poverty are left shouldering such a heavy burden.

A last-minute win on loss and damage

There was a glimmer of hope, however, when in the eleventh hour an agreement was reached to establish a fund for ‘loss and damage’. This refers to climate impacts that have happened or can’t be avoided, such as sea-level rises that are sweeping away entire communities. While many of the details are yet to be worked out, the last-minute inclusion of this pledge offers a ray of hope and relief for vulnerable nations and communities.

We urgently need to see wealthy and high-emitting countries honouring their existing climate finance pledges, as well as rapid action to turn the loss-and-damage funding pledge into reality.

‘The island my father lives on is already under water because of sea-level rise due to climate change.’ - Jocabed Solano, climate activist, Panama

No change on temperature rise

Limiting warming temperatures is vital if we are to minimise the worst impacts of the climate crisis. Every fraction of a degree matters, and could be the difference between life and death for millions of people in poverty around the world.

We remain on a path to dangerous levels of warming. Despite governments committing at COP26 to strengthen their national climate plans, we leave this COP summit still on course for around 2.5°C of warming – and only if countries implement their existing plans. Warming of a degree more than the agreed target and safer level of 1.5°C would mean more floods, storms, droughts, and food and water insecurity: a devastating sentence for the world, but especially for the most vulnerable.

Failure on fossil fuels

We cannot stay within 1.5°C without phasing out coal, oil and gas. The energy security crisis further highlights the urgent need to move away from fossil fuels and create a more secure, resilient and cheaper energy system based on renewables.

The fossil fuel industry wielded too much influence at COP27, and the fact that the final text stops short of calling for a phase-out of fossil fuels is a colossal failure. A complete phase- out of coal, oil and gas is urgently needed and would not only reduce emissions, but could create good green jobs and improve energy access and security for people in poverty around the world.

‘African citizens want and need renewable energy to build a fairer, cleaner future.’ - Fred Njehu, climate policy adviser, Tearfund

Beyond the negotiations

We draw hope from the fact that COP27 has been about far more than just the negotiations. It’s been about people coming together to create change and people all over the world – including thousands of Christians – speaking up for climate justice.

In Sharm El Sheikh, we saw many demonstrations inside the Blue Zone. The voice and determination of the movement is building, and it was a privilege for Tearfund to join with indigenous peoples, young people, women and environmental activists from across the world to call for change.

We were also encouraged by the thousands of people - including many Tearfund supporters - that marched on the streets of London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast and other cities in the UK on Saturday 12 November, to raise their voices as part of the Global Day of Action.

What next?

Tackling the climate crisis is far bigger than a two-week conference. The crisis is a daily reality for millions of people that demands a daily response. In the weeks and months ahead, we need actions that meet the scale of the crisis, and leaders that meet their responsibilities.

We will not stop praying, taking action and speaking up, holding leaders to their promises and urging wealthier nations to step up to their responsibilities and deliver on their promises. Tearfund will also continue to choose hope, keeping our eyes fixed on God, who can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.

Please pray:

● For those who are already experiencing the worst impacts of the climate crisis, and who will be most affected by the decisions made at COP27

● That the agreement to establish a loss-and-damage fund will be turned into reality, and that leaders of high-emitting nations will continue to strengthen their climate plans over the coming months

● For rest and restoration, fresh vision and hope for those who have been campaigning and speaking up for climate justice

Megan Rowland
Senior Government Relations Manager at Tearfund