🔎 What’s going on?
The eleventh Petersberg Climate Dialogue went ahead virtually this week and brought a tide of hope as ministers from over 30 countries called for a green economic recovery plan.
🌐 So, what is the Petersberg Climate Dialogue?
It’s a conference that enables open discussions between a small group of countries on key issues relating to international climate policy. It was launched in 2010 by the Government of Germany, after the failure of the Copenhagen Climate Conference and takes place every year. It takes place over two days and the UK was a co-chair this year as president of COP26, with Germany.
✅ Okay, what was achieved at the dialogue?
Sadly, not much in concrete terms. However, world leaders have expressed their climate intentions and ambitions ahead of COP26 which believe it or not, actually counts for something. Because it brings a strong tide of hope, ahead of recovery plan announcements.
Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel, set out a clear intention at the start of the dialogue “biodiversity and climate protection, particularly at this time of a pandemic is of supreme importance”. She went on to say that carbon pricing, renewable energy technology and achieving the sustainable development goals by 2030 were all key focuses. She also explicitly backed the EU’s plan to introduce a Green Deal, along with increasing the EU’s emissions target to 50 to 55 per cent reduction by 2030.
The UK’s COP president, Alok Sharma outlined “two key campaigns” the UK would focus on, in the lead up to COP26: net-zero energy and transport. This would involve scaling up renewable energy, batteries, and fuel cells in road transport.
❓Why should I care?
It’s the first major climate meeting this year, involving high-level government officials as the COVID-19 crisis has continued.
According to a study by Vivid Economics, 11% (or roughly $850million) of global COVID-19 government bailout funds have already been given to carbon-intensive companies. Mostly led by China and the United States of America. Carbon intensive companies include oil, gas, airlines companies which continue to pump out harmful emissions. This action by governments is not aligned to the Paris Agreement.
🚦 Where do we need to be?
The United Nations (UN) chief, Antonio Guterres presented his six-point action plan of recovery that governments should aim to follow. Here are his exact words:
- We must deliver new jobs and businesses through a clean, green and just transition. Investments must accelerate the decarbonization of all aspects of our economy.
- Taxpayers’ money must not be bailing out outdated, polluting, carbon-intensive industries.
- Fiscal firepower must shift economies from grey to green...public funds should invest in the future.
- Fossil fuel subsidies must end, and carbon must have a price and polluters must pay for their pollution.
- The global financial system must take risks and opportunities related to climate into account when it shapes policy and infrastructure.
- To resolve both emergencies, we must work together as an international community. Like the coronavirus, greenhouse gases respect no boundaries.
👤 What can I do about it?
As a citizen, ensure all of the above policies are reflected in whichever political party you decide to vote for in the next elections, in any country.