Climate Finance
At COP22, developed (aka rich) countries presented a roadmap to deliver the US$100 billion per year by 2020 as part of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). But simply announcing this is only the first step. Also how about not including private interests for once?
There is a clear need to create a system where climate finance is genuinely predictable and adequate, as well as reported properly, transparently (I’ll have you know that business and fossil fuel interests do create organisations who look ‘green’ to simply infiltrate the meetings to combat us saving the Earth? YES YOU READ IT RIGHT! Clarity and transparency is imperative regarding the success of the GCF.
Global Stocktake (no not market stocks you capitalists, the amount of emissions in the atmosphere)
Commonly known as the GST (no this has nothing to do with money for once), this is a process whereby countries can realise how many emissions are put into the atmosphere on a year-to-year basis. According to the IPCC’s Synthesis Report (AR5), no more than 1,000Gt (1,000 billion tonnes) of CO2 can be emitted between 2011-2100 (now more like ~750Gt between 2016-2100) for a 66% chance (or better) of remaining below 2’C of warming (over pre-industrial times)(If you want to read more, check out this link). Would you get on a plane with a 66% of making it? I think not.
Given that we currently emit ~40Gt/yr this means we need to cut our emissions…and FAST! So yes the process is crucial but please HURRY UP!
It’s crucial to pick up where we left off and keep our eyes on the ball here. The clock is ticking and the Earth is watching and responding! PS: In other news, the sun is shining and the birds are singing so have a great day!
//Nick (resident Swede/Aussie)
