What’s being discussed at this year’s climate summit?

Nearly 200 countries are represented at the COP27 UN climate summit in Egypt, where world leaders, policymakers, and delegates are working to maintain a goal of avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.

Recent feedback from attendees is as follows:

Antonio Guterres, the current Secretary-General of the United Nations
“Emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise. The world’s temperatures continue to rise. Our planet is rapidly approaching critical thresholds beyond which climate chaos will be irreversible.”

Put another way, “We are accelerating our descent into a climate catastrophe.”

Director General of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva
Businesses and consumers won’t be incentivized to change unless the price of carbon is set on a predictable trajectory that leads to at least $75 per ton of carbon by 2030.

UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan
Since oil and gas are in such high demand around the world, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will continue to play a leading role as a reliable energy supplier for the foreseeable future.

Kenya’s Vice President and Future President, Willian Ruto
“Long, drawn-out discussions at COPs have stalled, delayed, and postponed implementation and delivery, which is cruel and unjust. We have to get out of these endless process-focused discussions in which we are mired, and we have to stop avoiding the hard questions.”

“Weak action is unwise in the face of an impending catastrophe, the signs of which are already unbearably disastrous. No choice poses any risk.”

Senegalese President and African Union Chair Macky Sall
“Despite the fact that Africa only accounts for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the continent is committed to achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible through the prudent and adaptable development of carbon. Instead of making decisions that could put our development in jeopardy, like ensuring that all 600 million Africans have access to electricity, we support a green transition that is fair and equitable.”

Barbados’ current prime minister, Mia Mottley
“How can businesses have made over $200 billion in profits over the past three months and not set aside at least 10% of those earnings to cover losses and damages? Our people have come to anticipate this.”

Ex-Vice President Al Gore
Since “we’re all talking and starting to act, but we’re not doing enough,” we have a credibility issue.

As one expert put it, “we must see the so-called ‘dash for gas’ for what it really is: a dash down a bridge to nowhere, leaving the countries of the world facing climate chaos and billions in stranded assets, particularly here in Africa.”

The era of colonialism by fossil fuels must end.

French President Emmanuel Macron
We will not sacrifice our climate commitments in light of the Russian energy threat, so all countries must continue to uphold all of their commitments. “Even if our world has changed, the climate issue cannot be a balancing item of the war unleashed by Russia on Ukrainian soil.”

President of the Central African Republic, Faustin Archange Toudera
We need to make it abundantly clear that wealthy nations are the primary culprits in putting the world in danger.

The Prime Minister of Britain, Rishi Sunak
“Putin’s abominable war in Ukraine and rising energy prices around the world are not reasons to slow down on climate change, as they go hand in hand with climate security. They highlight the importance of prompt action.”

VP of Indonesia Ma’ruf Amin “No major global progress has been made in the year since Glasgow. This means that COP27 should not just be used to raise aspirations, but also to boost action, such as by ensuring that developed countries actually provide aid to developing ones.”

Vice President of Maldives Faisal Naseem
“The effects of global warming are having a dramatic impact. In order to make sure that the new world is fair and livable for everyone, we have come together today.”

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte
“To put it bluntly, what we’ve done so far is far too little, far too late. New goals and promises are completely out of the question at this point. We need to fulfill our obligations as quickly as possible.”

“The loss and damage incurred by vulnerable nations as a result of the emissions of other nations is a legitimate cause for concern. And that’s the truth, as far as our African allies are concerned. What I can tell them is that I hear their pleas for greater unity. When it comes to a climate emergency, Africa is on the front lines even though it is not to blame.”