BEYOND THE COAST OF THE RED SEA: WHAT NEXT AFTER THE UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE IN EGYPT?

Sharm el-Sheikh:  the Egyptian city on the southern tip of the   Sinai Peninsula on the coastal strip along the Red Sea. This was where believers in fighting climate change (and skeptics alike), across the phase of the earth, gathered for arguably one of the world’s most populated conferences (Conference of Parties- COP27), to deliberate, dialogue, canvass for support, garner activists, and find lasting solutions to fight the common enemy. Climate Change.

For those unfamiliar, COP is not your routine conference, typically held in one conference room with break-out sessions and coffee breaks. COP is a mammoth gathering of almost 40,000 people, the world over, with more than 197 countries; and 500 media houses stationed at a designated pavilion, relishing full internet connection, thanks to Vodafone and Orange. It is an imposing gathering!

Participants awoke from their stunning resorts and hotels to a bustling city with local and international commuters catching shuttles day and night; the display of optically appealing pavilions, with countries, international organizations, NGOs, regional blocs, and corporate bodies, flaunting their colorfully-branded pavilions in magical magnificence, either to create a visibility fascination for passers-by, to showcase their commitment to the cause of fighting climate change to the international community.

The conference grounds were bubbling with incessant conversations, unending side- events; routine press conferences; daily negotiations; conspicuous activism on the streets; interviews galore Indeed, in-depth dialogues; constructive communications; daunting deliberations and panel discussions, all characterized the pomp and pageantry of this global gathering.

Resolutions had been collated;  have been made, and commitments have been pledged; developing countries are challenging developed countries to fulfill their part of the bargain to release the annual $100,000 billion to enable them to tackle the UNSDG13, as agreed at the Paris accord. with a unique focus, on water and gender, biodiversity, decarbonization, finance, youth and agriculture, etc.

The “#togetherforimplementation” hashtag conference has come to an end. The gigantic pavilions  have been pulled down, and the rushing sounds of all gathered have ceased; the loud noise of silence now fills the conference zones. Everyone has headed back to their countries, cities, and provinces.

So, the question is, “ What next? Are we going to see the catchphrase “together for implementation shifted from the beautiful accolades and hashtags into a quantifiable action? Are parties going to be held responsible and accountable to showcase realistic impact stories of what they pledged to do?

At the 28th edition of COP, we should be taking stock of all that has been done so far, measuring the successes, and facing the realities of indicators set in SDG 13 on climate action.

Thankfully, there were last-minute calming words of a breakthrough agreement on a new “Loss and Damage” fund for vulnerable countries, with the global commitment to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The conversations and agreements must, however, move beyond mere rhetoric.  The geopolitical charade is enough. Everyone should come to COP 28 in Dubai, with stories. Measurable stories. Stories of accountability. Stories to showcase the implementation of all the strategies that have gone on for the past 27 years.

 nii commey is an international communications strategist and a storyteller