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COP27: What is the Egypt climate conference and why is it important? What is COP27 and why is it important?
(3 days later)
Governments will come together in November in Sharm El Sheikh to discuss action on climate
World leaders are set to discuss action to tackle climate change, at the UN climate summit in Egypt.World leaders are set to discuss action to tackle climate change, at the UN climate summit in Egypt.
It follows a year of climate-related disasters and broken temperature records.It follows a year of climate-related disasters and broken temperature records.
UK prime minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed he will attend, having previously said he would not. UK prime minister Rishi Sunak is attending, having previously said he would not.
What is the UN climate summit?What is the UN climate summit?
UN climate summits are held every year, for governments to agree steps to limit global temperature rises.UN climate summits are held every year, for governments to agree steps to limit global temperature rises.
They are referred to as COPs, which stands for "Conference of the Parties". The parties are the attending countries that signed up to the original UN climate agreement in 1992.They are referred to as COPs, which stands for "Conference of the Parties". The parties are the attending countries that signed up to the original UN climate agreement in 1992.
COP27 is the 27th annual UN meeting on climate. It will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh from 6 to 18 November.COP27 is the 27th annual UN meeting on climate. It will take place in Sharm el-Sheikh from 6 to 18 November.
Why are COP meetings needed?Why are COP meetings needed?
The world is warming because of emissions produced by humans, mostly from burning fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal.The world is warming because of emissions produced by humans, mostly from burning fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal.
Global temperatures have risen 1.1C and are heading towards 1.5C, according to the UN's climate scientists, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).Global temperatures have risen 1.1C and are heading towards 1.5C, according to the UN's climate scientists, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
If temperatures rise 1.7 to 1.8C above 1850s levels, the IPCC estimates that half the word's population could be exposed to life-threatening heat and humidity.If temperatures rise 1.7 to 1.8C above 1850s levels, the IPCC estimates that half the word's population could be exposed to life-threatening heat and humidity.
To prevent this, 194 countries signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, pledging to "pursue efforts" to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C.To prevent this, 194 countries signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, pledging to "pursue efforts" to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C.
A really simple guide to climate changeA really simple guide to climate change
The Pakistani floods this year are a "wake-up call" to the world on the threats of climate change, experts have saidThe Pakistani floods this year are a "wake-up call" to the world on the threats of climate change, experts have said
Who will be at COP27?Who will be at COP27?
More than 200 governments have been invited.More than 200 governments have been invited.
Having previously announced he would not go, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted that he would attend the summit, "to deliver on [COP26's] legacy of building a secure and sustainable future". Having previously announced he would not go, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is attending.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also going, but King Charles will not be there, following government advice. However, he is holding a pre-conference reception at Buckingham Palace. In a speech on Monday he is set to urge world leaders at COP27 to move "further and faster" in transitioning to renewable energy. He will say Russia's invasion of Ukraine "reinforced" the importance of ending dependence on fossil fuels.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson is also going, but King Charles will not be there, following government advice. However, he held a hpre-conference reception at Buckingham Palace.
Vladimir Putin is not due to go, although Russian delegates are still expected to take part.Vladimir Putin is not due to go, although Russian delegates are still expected to take part.
Other countries, including China, have not confirmed whether their leaders will attend.Other countries, including China, have not confirmed whether their leaders will attend.
Hosts Egypt called on countries to put their differences aside and "show leadership" on the issue of climate change.Hosts Egypt called on countries to put their differences aside and "show leadership" on the issue of climate change.
Environmental charities, community groups, think tanks, businesses and faith groups will also take part.Environmental charities, community groups, think tanks, businesses and faith groups will also take part.
Why is COP27 in Egypt?Why is COP27 in Egypt?
This will be the fifth time a COP has been hosted in Africa.This will be the fifth time a COP has been hosted in Africa.
The region's governments hope it will draw attention to the severe impacts of climate change on the continent. The IPCC says Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world.The region's governments hope it will draw attention to the severe impacts of climate change on the continent. The IPCC says Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world.
Currently, 20 million people are estimated to be facing food insecurity in east Africa because of drought.Currently, 20 million people are estimated to be facing food insecurity in east Africa because of drought.
However, choosing Egypt as the venue has attracted controversy.However, choosing Egypt as the venue has attracted controversy.
Some human rights and climate campaigners say the government has stopped them attending because they have criticised its rights record.Some human rights and climate campaigners say the government has stopped them attending because they have criticised its rights record.
Egypt pressed to make human rights move before COP27Egypt pressed to make human rights move before COP27
What will be discussed at COP27?What will be discussed at COP27?
Ahead of the meeting, countries were asked to submit ambitious national climate plans. Only 25 have done so to date.Ahead of the meeting, countries were asked to submit ambitious national climate plans. Only 25 have done so to date.
COP27 will focus on three main areas:COP27 will focus on three main areas:
Reducing emissionsReducing emissions
Helping countries to prepare for and deal with climate changeHelping countries to prepare for and deal with climate change
Securing technical support and funding for developing countries for the aboveSecuring technical support and funding for developing countries for the above
Some areas not fully resolved or covered at COP26 will be picked up:Some areas not fully resolved or covered at COP26 will be picked up:
Loss and damage finance - money to help countries recover from the effects of climate change, rather than just prepare for itLoss and damage finance - money to help countries recover from the effects of climate change, rather than just prepare for it
Establishment of a global carbon market - to price the effects of emissions into products and services globallyEstablishment of a global carbon market - to price the effects of emissions into products and services globally
Strengthen the commitments to reduce coal useStrengthen the commitments to reduce coal use
There will also be themed days on issues including gender, agriculture and biodiversity.There will also be themed days on issues including gender, agriculture and biodiversity.
Some of the key phrases you will hear:Some of the key phrases you will hear:
Paris accord: The 2015 Paris Agreement united all the world's nations - for the first time - in a single agreement on tackling global warming and cutting greenhouse-gas emissionsParis accord: The 2015 Paris Agreement united all the world's nations - for the first time - in a single agreement on tackling global warming and cutting greenhouse-gas emissions
IPCC: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change examines the latest research into climate changeIPCC: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change examines the latest research into climate change
1.5C: Keeping the rise in global average temperature below 1.5C - compared with pre-industrial times - will avoid the worst impacts of climate change, according to scientists1.5C: Keeping the rise in global average temperature below 1.5C - compared with pre-industrial times - will avoid the worst impacts of climate change, according to scientists
Do we expect any sticking points?Do we expect any sticking points?
Finance has been long been an issue at climate talks.Finance has been long been an issue at climate talks.
In 2009, developed countries committed to give $100bn (£87bn) a year, by 2020, to developing countries to help them reduce emissions and prepare for climate change. In 2009, developed countries committed to give $100bn (£88bn) a year, by 2020, to developing countries to help them reduce emissions and prepare for climate change.
The target was missed and moved back to 2023.The target was missed and moved back to 2023.
But developing nations are also calling for payments for "loss and damage" - the impacts faced now.But developing nations are also calling for payments for "loss and damage" - the impacts faced now.
An option for making such payments was excluded from the Bonn climate talks, after pushback from wealthier nations who feared they would be forced to pay compensation for decades.An option for making such payments was excluded from the Bonn climate talks, after pushback from wealthier nations who feared they would be forced to pay compensation for decades.
But the EU agreed that discussions should take place at COP27.But the EU agreed that discussions should take place at COP27.
How will we know if it has been successful?How will we know if it has been successful?
It depends who you ask.It depends who you ask.
Developing countries, as a minimum, will want loss and damage finance to be an agenda item. They will also be pushing to have a date set for when they might start to receive payments. Following intense negotiations, the issue is on the official agenda of COP27. They will also be pushing to have a date set for when they might start to receive payments.
Developed nations will be looking for more commitment from large developing countries - such as China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa - to move away from coal, the dirtiest of the fossil fuels.Developed nations will be looking for more commitment from large developing countries - such as China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and South Africa - to move away from coal, the dirtiest of the fossil fuels.
There are also pledges from last year's meeting - on forests, coal, and methane - that more countries may support.There are also pledges from last year's meeting - on forests, coal, and methane - that more countries may support.
What climate pledges were agreed at COP26?What climate pledges were agreed at COP26?
However, some scientists believe world leaders have left it too late and no matter what is agreed at COP27, 1.5C will not be achieved.However, some scientists believe world leaders have left it too late and no matter what is agreed at COP27, 1.5C will not be achieved.
Will Greta Thunberg attend COP27?
Climate activist Greta Thunberg is among the list of those who will not attend.
She recently described the global summit as a forum for "greenwashing", saying the COP conferences "encourage gradual progress".
Earlier in October she told the BBC's media editor Amol Rajan in an interview: "I'm not needed there... there will be other people who will attend, from the most affected areas. And I think that their voice there is more important."
Simple guide to climate changeSimple guide to climate change
What will climate change look like for you?What will climate change look like for you?
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Top image from Reuters. Climate stripes visualisation courtesy of Prof Ed Hawkins and University of Reading.