COP27 - A Stalemate?

The  27^th  Conference of the Parties held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt marked a significant acknowledgment of the urgency to focus in on Africa's growing problems arising from climate change. The planned Water Day specifically prioritised the key element that directly influences people, ecosystems, and economy. The entirety of Africa contributes a negligible amount to global emissions (3.8%) making its contribution to the problem incredibly disproportionate to the consequences it faces - some of which the video below showcases. In this African context, the intensity of the effects it faces pushes for greater global support in aiding its mitigation and adaptation strategies, especially with survival at stake. Although held in Egypt, it is unclear as to whether the voices of the 54 African countries were heard on the global stage.

Figure 1: 'A Lens on the Climate Crisis in Africa' 

One breakthrough to come out of COP27 was the setting up of a new 'loss and damage' fund for LMICs that acts as compensation for parts of the world most devastated by climate change. Its introduction marks a step towards fighting climate injustice and supporting the most vulnerable.

Wider Thoughts

To expand the critique of COP27, similar global discussions can be questioned on their true impacts on water. The Sustainable Development Goal to achieve clean water and sanitation for all by 2030 continues to seem all the more impossible considering the fast approaching 2023. 

Figure 2: Part of an infographic from the 2022 SDG Report.

One aspect to remember in this is that many of these global goals fail to consider the contextual differences, and historical challenges that countries are shaped by. If Africa itself is not homogenous, how can the world be?

Arguably, many such conferences play out to be PR opportunities for global leaders to show their participation. Despite it seeming that discourses are changing, such as the shifted focus on adaption at COP27, targets are failing to be met and climate change is worsening. 

The politics of water in this case, although aspiring to draw up equitable and effective solutions, tends to fall short. In my opinion, the lack of legally binding targets and compulsory subscription to such climate deals - where sanctions for failure exist - push a narrative that climate change is a problem for future generations. Ultimately it is a choice that countries take on responsibility, and in the case of the Paris Agreement, despite it being legally binding, the US (one of the largest polluters) was able to pull out.

If global, apolitical, legal frameworks could govern the politics of water, the situation may be different.