Even though we all start getting annoyed by the constant news about coronavirus pandemic, we still need to talk about it. The reason is very simple: a lot of things have changed. That is why it is also important to know how has coronavirus affected climate change? To answer this question, on May 14 Climate Action organized a webinar - “COP-26: A Decade Ahead.”
One of the main goals of Climate Action is to create a global platform for development cooperation and increased efforts to implement the Paris Agreement.
• What is the impact of the pandemic on climate and environmental diplomatic issues?
So, our major issues for today are: “In which direction should we move?” and “How to consider the interests of all stakeholders?”
What does COVID-19 mean for the fight against climate change?
Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland and Chairman of The Elders:
“COVID-19 further reinforced the inequalities that already existed in our society. The global pandemic brought to the surface such issues as poverty, gender and racial discrimination, the rights of immigrants and the rights of indigenous people, as well as many others ... "
But the most important thing, according to Mary Robinson, the current situation teaches us, is that our behaviour is of great importance. A lot depends on humanity. Thanks to the common enemy represented by COVID-19, we finally realized that we should take care of those who are most vulnerable. We seemed to have rediscovered such emotion as compassion.
Unfortunately, in the case of climate change, the situation is somewhat different. A lot of people think that this problem is too remote to start acting now. And this although every year in the world 7 million people die from various respiratory diseases caused by climate change.
Thanks to the outbreak of the epidemic, we also remembered what a huge place science has in our lives. Unfortunately, the most serious consequences of COVID-19 were in countries in which the authorities did not follow the instructions of scientists on time.
Mary Robinson also drew the attention of participants to the fact that one of the main advantages of isolation was the free time that we got on our hands. Therefore, it is very important to spend this time with benefit and devote it to reflections on how to proceed next.
It must be understood that, yes, we have the current crisis, but we should rememberer about the approaching crisis in the face of global warming.
Raffaele Mauro Petriccione, Director-General of Climate Action, European Commission:
“With the advent of coronavirus, the problem of climate change has not disappeared and will not disappear if we do not find a solution”.
Raffaele notes that the policy we need to adhere to now is called "green recovery". That is why it is very important to prepare correctly for COP-26.
In his opinion, the following climate negotiations should be as productive/ambitious and inclusive as possible.
However, the public remains very concerned. Everyone is wondering: “What awaits us next?”. One of the participants of the webinar raised a very interesting question: “Even taking into account the“ pause ”that humanity took during quarantine, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions was not so significant. How are we supposed to deal with climate change then?”
Nevertheless, the speakers of the webinar remain quite optimistic. According to Raffaelle Petriccione, at least for Europe 2019 was quite successful. He believes that we already have all the necessary tools for an effective fight. The most important thing is not to stop and remember that the problem of climate change has not gone away.
Nigel Topping, UK High-Level Climate Action Champion, COP-26:
“I am convinced that we have already begun our journey towards the carbon-free economy.”
Among the positive effects of the postponement of climate negotiations is the fact that most of the work on the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report is likely to be carried out before COP-26. Thus, the negotiators will have the opportunity to discuss it.
Nigel explained why he believes that we have already begun to move towards a carbon-free future. He noted that at the time of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report was released in October 2018, there were very few companies and territories that had developed carbon-free plans. But by December last year, the number of such companies and territories amounted to about 800,000.
In addition to this, he also thinks that one of the “benefits” of climate change is new job openings. And the fight against climate change itself makes our society more sustainable.
One of the questions that many are now interested in is whether the postponement of negotiations will affect the overall progress in the field of climate change. Wouldn't it be too late?
In his turn, Nigel Tapping believes that we just need to continue what we are already doing. This time has been given to us so that we can further structure our plans and ambitions and continue to move towards a carbon-free future.
Chris Stark, Executive Director, Climate Change Committee:
“In the long run, coronavirus does not change much. However, we are still changing the climate. And the climate is still changing our lives. Therefore, we still have problems that need to be addressed. And for this, we need to act globally.
However, in the medium term, a lot of things will change. There will be positive changes. For example, today many people say that most companies will switch to a remote method of work. This will naturally reduce emissions from vehicles. Many people may limit their travels.”
Thus, we see that, according to experts, the impact of the pandemic on the fight against climate change is obvious. However, this impact is far from always being negative. The most important thing that we need to remember is that climate change is real, but we need to act here and now.
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Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Aral Sea Basin
