Germany to be “bridge builder” at COP27 – climate envoy Morgan
Clean Energy Wire
The German government aims to continue efforts to regain the trust of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, while at the same time strengthening cooperation among progressive countries at the upcoming UN climate change conference COP27 in Egypt. “Germany will act as a bridge builder in the climate negotiations,” special envoy for international climate action Jennifer Morgan said at a briefing in Berlin. The state secretary said COP27 will take place under difficult circumstances. “Russia's war against Ukraine and the global food and energy crises it has triggered threaten to overshadow the negotiations in Sharm El-Sheikh,” she said. “But there must be no backtracking at COP27. The global energy and food crises must not lead to a renaissance of the fossil fuel economy.” Key tasks for the conference would be to promote and accelerate the green transformation, push for multilateral cooperation and more trust against the backdrop of the geopolitical situation, and send a “clear signal of solidarity.”
Morgan said that a strong European Union is necessary to make COP27 a success. “The EU is strong when it comes to international climate action, because it is united and negotiates jointly at COP27.” She added that the bloc was currently pushing forward negotiations on its “Fit for 55” climate legislation package, a key part of the European Green Deal. “On this basis, we as the EU will of course further tighten our climate targets – as envisaged in the Paris Agreement – and, as decided in Glasgow, present a new NDC, if possible before the end of the year.”
The annual UN climate talks take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, this year. Climate finance for poorer countries is set to play a major role at COP27. Germany is one of the biggest donors. The government recently said it increased public climate finance for developing and emerging countries to 5.34 billion euros in 2021, meaning the country is on track to reaching its target of 6 billion euros by 2025.
