Nations could not resolve disagreements on the timetable for the UN’s next climate assessment during a meeting in Hangzhou, China. Wealthy and vulnerable countries called for an expedited timeline, while major polluters opposed. The US’s absence heightened concerns about international climate cooperation, and experts stressed the urgency for ambitious actions to decelerate global warming, given the looming climate crisis.
Nations have failed to resolve a standoff regarding the timing of the United Nations’ next comprehensive climate change assessment following a lengthy meeting in Hangzhou, China, from which US representatives were absent. The key issue at hand was whether the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) would provide its three-part assessment before the 2028 UN “stocktake” of global climate responses. Many affluent nations and those most affected by climate change sought a quicker timeline to ensure policymaking relied on the most recent scientific findings.
Conversely, objections arose from certain oil-producing nations and significant polluters, including India and China, who have increasing emissions. The talks extended beyond their planned schedule, concluding late Saturday night with an agreement to pursue further discussions without a definitive deadline for report delivery. Zhe Yao, a global policy advisor at Greenpeace East Asia, expressed disappointment in the outcome, stating that the deadlock hampers necessary climate action, particularly affecting vulnerable countries.
The meeting was further complicated by the absence of US officials, coinciding with President Trump’s decision to revoke prior climate measures. Experts cautioned that the lack of US participation could severely undermine global scientific progress regarding climate change. Johan Rockstrom, a prominent climate scientist from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, remarked that international scientific developments are vital for creating equity and resilience across nations.
This meeting followed the hottest recorded year and growing concerns about climate change’s rapid progression. The UN’s Environment Program chief, Inger Andersen, emphasized the urgency of the situation, asserting that “Time is not on our side” and called for ambitious outcomes from the discussions. Previously published findings during the UN’s first stocktake in 2023 highlighted the slow progress in addressing global warming, which has prompted a notable shift in focus toward abandoning fossil fuels. The IPCC warns that the world is perilously close to surpassing the Paris Agreement’s long-term warming threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius within the next decade.
In conclusion, the recent UN climate talks in Hangzhou did not yield the desired resolution regarding the timing of the next IPCC assessment, with competing interests causing a deadlock. The absence of US representatives and the objections from certain nations complicated discussions, while climate experts emphasized the urgent need for immediate actions to address global warming. As the planet approaches critical warming thresholds, coordinated efforts and timely scientific assessments remain imperative for effective climate action and policy formulation.
Original Source: www.manilatimes.net
