What didn’t happen at COP27?
Last year’s conference in Glasgow, Scotland, agreed to the “phasedown of unabated coal.” There had been hope that would be expanded at this year’s conference to include oil and gas.
Countries that produce oil and gas, including Canada and Saudi Arabia, instead emphasized technologies to clean up rather than phase down such fuels, according to the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London.
This “low emissions” language was considered a significant loophole because it could justify new fossil fuel development.
What’s up for next year’s COP?
Next year’s COP conference in Dubai is scheduled to be a “stock-taking.” This is something that takes place every five years and assesses how far the world has come in meeting the climate-saving goals set in 2015 in Paris. It requires countries to report on their efforts so the world as a whole can identify what still needs to be done.
Next year’s COP will take place Nov. 30 through Dec. 12, 2023, in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.