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06-11-2022
CAIRO: Each of the 197 signatories to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has its own concerns and interests, which can make reaching any consensus a huge challenge.
Here are some of the main stakeholders and negotiating blocs engaged in the UN climate conference (COP27) that starts today Nov. 6 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
China
China, the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter, had its hottest summer on record this year. In a national climate adaptation plan, it said extreme weather was an increasing threat.
Nevertheless, the country is increasing its coal use in the face of energy security risks, and President Xi Jinping said in October that China would continue to support “the clean and efficient use of coal”.
Geopolitics also overshadow climate issues. A diplomatic row over Taiwan led Beijing to cancel bilateral climate talks with the United States.
Few expect China to offer any fresh pledges at COP27, with officials saying the two-week summit should focus on securing climate finance for developing countries.
United States
The world’s second-biggest emitter after China comes to COP27 after the approval of domestic legislation that should unlock trillions of dollars in investment in clean energy and transportation.
Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed by President Joe Biden in August, are expected to triple the amount of clean energy on the electricity grid and reduce carbon emissions by 1 billion tons annually by the end of this decade but with US Congressional elections on Nov. 8, the second day of COP27, environmental campaigners are concerned a shift to Republican control of Congress could undermine the IRA’s implementation.
The United States is also poised ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which will phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs – a climate pollutant used in refrigeration. It also plans to announce methane rules for the oil and gas sector that would expand on US proposals last year.
European Union
Greenhouse gas emissions from the 27-country European Union comprise about 8% of the global total, and have been trending downward for years.
The bloc has enshrined in law targets to cut net emissions by at least 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels, and reduce them to zero by 2050, but is still negotiating policy to implement those goals. The EU has said it will upgrade its climate target, but only after new climate laws are approved – which will not be before next year.
Negotiating as a single group at the UN climate talks, the EU intends to push other major emitters to raise their targets. It is also expected to face pressure at COP27 to soften its long-held resistance to compensation for loss and damage.
United Kingdom
Last year’s conference host has faced months of political turmoil and an energy crisis that could undermine the country’s climate goals. In 2019, Britain pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, and last year committed to a 
78% reduction by 2035 compared with 1990 levels but in October it announced a new round of oil and gas licensing in the North Sea, insisting it would not interfere with its climate ambitions. It’s unclear how Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will pursue energy policy. Meanwhile, long-time climate champion King Charles III said he will skip the COP27 conference in Egypt.
‘Basic’ countries
Brazil, South Africa, India and China make up this bloc of populous, fast-developing countries with highly polluting economies.
Each has asked rich countries for more climate financing, and demanded equity through the UNFCCC concept of “common but differentiated responsibilities” meaning wealthy countries that have contributed the most emissions to the atmosphere historically have a greater responsibility to address the problem.
India has resisted renouncing coal, maneuvering with China at COP26 last year to block stronger commitments to quitting it.
Brazil is expected to spearhead negotiations detailing rules for carbon credit markets, as it seeks to monetize its vast forests.
South Africa is racing to conclude a side deal for the EU, United States and other nations to provide it with $8.5 billion to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Other negotiating blocs
G77 + China
This alliance of 77 developing countries and China holds the line on the concept that different countries have differing responsibilities. At COP27, Pakistan, which suffered disastrous floods this year, will lead the group whose members are united in demanding a dedicated fund for compensation from rich nations.
Umbrella group
This alliance of non-EU developed countries includes Australia, Japan, Russia, and the United States.
Africa group
Africa’s UN members will push for additional climate financing, while arguing that expanding economies need fossil fuels to increase electricity capacity. Many African countries, including the host Egypt, are keen to develop their reserves of natural gas as a transition fuel and a way to capitalize on Europe’s demand for gas to replace Russian imports.
Climate vulnerable forum
Representing 58 countries most at risk from climate impacts, including Bangladesh and the Maldives, this group heads to COP27 with a core demand: a dedicated fund whereby rich polluting countries help the vulnerable bear the costs of “loss and damage”. The forum also wants all countries to strengthen their climate goals.
Alliance of small island states
The alliance, known by its acronym AOSIS, represents countries that are disproportionately vulnerable to climate effects, particularly sea level rise and coastal erosion.
Independent alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean
The AILAC bloc is aligned with other developing countries in demanding greater climate ambition and more funding from richer nations.
Least developed country group
This groups 46 nations vulnerable to climate change despite contributing little to it. Aside from demanding that loss and damage be addressed, the LDCs want rich nations to provide double the amount of adaptation funding and improved access to it.
Powering past coal alliance
Spearheaded by Britain and Canada, 41 nations and dozens more local governments and companies have pledged faster transitions to clean energy. The group this year criticized plans to burn more coal in response to the energy crisis triggered by the Ukraine war.
High ambition coalition
Chaired by the Marshall Islands and with members including Costa Rica, the United States and the EU, this group pushes for more progressive emissions targets and climate policies. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
