The controversies of the Conference of Parties (COPs)
Written by Yuv Sungkur
The Conferences of Parties (COPs) held under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are essential global gatherings aimed at addressing climate change and charting a course towards a sustainable future. However, over the years, these conferences have not been without their share of controversies.
Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, at COP26 in Glasgow
What is the Conference of Parties?
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is a crucial component of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It is the highest decision-making body under the convention and serves as a platform for countries to come together and address the challenges of climate change. The COP meetings are held annually, bringing together representatives from nearly every country in the world to negotiate and discuss climate-related issues.
Disagreement over commitments
One of the primary controversies of the COPs revolves around the commitments made by different countries to combat climate change. Given their historical contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, developing nations often demand that developed countries take more responsibility. This notion of historical responsibility is an ethical issue that has stirred debate since the premises of international climate negotiations. It is agreed upon that countries that have emitted for the longest, have the most responsibilities in the climate crisis - their development resulted in a change in climate that harms the world.
But what about developing countries that are aiming to develop, but do not have the technology to develop in a sustainable manner? For example, at COP26, Indonesia - the world's ninth-largest emitter - questioned the terms of stopping deforestation by 2030 as ‘unfair’. Indeed, Indonesia is the world’s third-biggest rainforest - the wood industry is an important economic asset for the country, and ending its business without an alternative plan will impact millions of lives. So where do we draw the line? Does it make Indonesia not committed to resolving climate change? It is up to debate.
Inclusivity and Equity
A big issue with COPs is the lack of representation of the people from the SIDS. Only three Pacific leaders of Palau, Fiji, and Tuvalu, out of fourteen have made it to COP26. On the other hand, the United States sent more than a thousand people.
Those on the frontlines of the climate crisis are sadly been excluded either through visa failures, lack of access to the European vaccines, and constant changing travel rules. As a result, COP26 culminated in a conference that overly – represented the views of those who have contributed the most, yet the least to lose from the climate crisis.
This issue is noticeable in every climate conference, for government parties but also for civil societies, NGOs, and youth movements. We know that for a COP to be inclusive and equitable, and to make sure that every one has a say in this global issue, we must ensure that everyone from every social group is represented - yet - due to lack of finance or travel issues - it often results in the most powerful countries yet again deciding of the fate of the world.
Questionable sponsors
The Coca-Cola company as an official provider and sponsor of COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh (2022)
The decision to include Coca-Cola as a major sponsor of this year’s United Nations climate summit in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, has angered many climate activists. The beverages giant, which was named the world’s leading polluter of plastics in 2021, has increased its use of new plastics since 2019 by 3 percent to 3.2 million tons. It must be noted that most plastics are manufactured using fossil fuels like crude oil and coal. After countless letters of protests, the Coca-Cola company was indeed a sponsor, but massively reduced its public image during the summit.
Influence of the fossil fuel industry
Climate negotiations would have been easier if the fossil fuel industry did not influence them.
At Glasgow, 503 fossil fuel lobbyists were at COP26, which outnumbered the delegation of any single country.
Considering COP27, there were 636 fossil fuel lobbyists at COP27, a rise of more than 25% from last year and outnumbering any one frontline community affected by the climate crisis. The only country with a larger delegation is the United Arab Emirates, hosts of COP28 next year, which has 1,070 registered delegates, up from 176 last year.
Conclusion
The Conferences of Parties (COPs) may stand as vital forums for global climate action, yet they are not without their fair share of controversies. From the lack of inclusivity to disputes over commitments to increasing fossil fuel lobbyists, these controversies underline the complex and multifaceted nature of addressing climate change on an international scale. As the world navigates these debates, it becomes increasingly evident that finding common ground and fostering collaboration are essential in overcoming these challenges and forging a sustainable path forward.
