Representatives from around 200 nations gather in Hangzhou, China, to negotiate the next UN climate assessment report amid record-high temperatures and diverging national interests. Key discussions involve the timing and content of the report to guide the 2028 stocktake on climate change responses. Many vulnerable countries urge for updated science while facing opposition from major polluters concerned about rushed timelines.
Representatives from nearly 200 nations convene in Hangzhou, China, to negotiate critical aspects of the forthcoming UN climate assessment report amid unprecedented global warming. This meeting follows a record-breaking year in temperatures and signals increased urgency regarding climate response efforts. The absence of a U.S. delegation due to Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement further complicates discussions.
The negotiations aim to establish timelines for completing the three-part assessment from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which encompasses physical scientific findings, climate impacts, and greenhouse gas reduction solutions. Opinions diverge on whether the report can be prepared promptly enough to influence the pivotal 2028 UN stocktake on global climate efforts. Nations most vulnerable to climate change advocate for an expedited process, while certain oil-producing countries express reservations.
The High Ambition Coalition, comprising European nations and those vulnerable to climate impacts, emphasizes the necessity of basing the 2028 stocktake on current scientific data to uphold the integrity of the Paris Agreement. The Coalition cautions that neglecting this science could compromise the credibility of climate initiatives, stressing the importance of informed decision-making regarding the planet’s future.
The previous stocktake highlighted the insufficiencies in global warming mitigation efforts. In response, stakeholders at the COP28 summit in Dubai urged a transition from fossil fuels, although discussions included considerations for oil and gas interests. The IPCC has proposed a timeline aiming for the report’s findings to be released in 2028, though influential nations, including China and India, resist this schedule, citing concerns over rushed processes.
Experts fear that these negotiations may represent a final opportunity to ensure timely completion of the IPCC reports for the 2028 stocktake. Factors such as geopolitical challenges and financial burdens associated with combating climate change exacerbate tensions in the discussions. There is an urgent need for new research findings to inform policymakers as they develop comprehensive climate strategies.
The IPCC warns that the globe is likely to exceed the Paris Agreement’s ideal limit of a 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature increase by the early 2030s, with some studies indicating this threshold may be breached even sooner. The Association of Small Island States, representing nations at risk of becoming uninhabitable due to rising sea levels, urges global cooperation to ensure the IPCC finishes its reports in time, reflecting the dire consequences of climate change on these vulnerable states.
In summary, the ongoing negotiations among nearly 200 countries in Hangzhou underscore the urgency for timely completion of the UN climate assessment report. Wealthy and vulnerable nations advocate for an accelerated timetable, while major polluters express differing views. The outcome of these talks will significantly influence global climate strategies as nations confront the evolving challenges posed by climate change.
Original Source: www.france24.com
