What is COP27?

​If you have attended any of our virtual or in-person events, you have heard us mention “COP27”. - What is it? Why is it important? - As we are vastly approaching the start of the conference, we would like to help you understand exactly what it is and the importance it has for our earth.

COP27

COP27 is the 2022 climate conference for the United Nations (UN). The official title is “UNFCCC COP”.

UNFCCC = United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
COP = Conference of Parties

The number that follows “COP” is the total number of meetings that the committee has held. This year will be the 27th meeting.

Every year a different member nation of the UN is assigned to be the “COP President” and they are in charge of organizing the meeting. Egypt will host the 2022 conference in the city of Sharm El-Sheikh. The 26th conference was hosted by both Scotland & Italy, but due to COVID-19, the conference was delayed a year. The 2020 event resumed in 2021 and was held in Glasgow, Scotland. The United Arab Emirates will host the 2023 conference, but details have not been released yet. Any resolutions or treaties that are adopted tend to be named after the host city or country; i.e. in 2015, the Paris Agreement was formed in France.

History

In 1992, the UN held 3 Rio Conventions as a result of their Earth Summit in Brazil. These conventions became the “COPs” and focus on these key topics: Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Desertification. It was also in 1992 that 154 countries signed the “UNFCCC” as an agreement to help combat the harmful effects humans are having on the climate.
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While there are many different COPs, the term has almost synonymously been associated with the UNFCCC’s conference and thus this is why many refer to it only by “COP” + the number of the meeting.

2022

This year marks the 30th anniversary since the UNFCCC was adopted and signed. The conference will look at uniting nations around the world, as well as reviewing the Paris Agreement. The world is far off from the goals set in 2015 regarding the Paris Agreement.
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COP27 has unofficially been dubbed the “African Cop” by the world, because of its location on the continent and the fact that many feel that the climate issues facing the continent should be at the forefront of discussions. There is also the hope that with the conference being on the continent of Africa, more Africans will have exposure to important events like this.

Importance

​COP27 is important because the earth is facing climate disasters at an alarming rate. EDFU Foundation will be attending the conference, along with some of our partners, to join the conversation and help create solutions on this concerning topic. This event presents a unique opportunity where national governments, businesses, politicians, and lobbyists are in the same space as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), activists, and civil society. There are also ministers of peace and negotiations present to help.
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We will update you on our experiences there, as well as actions that are being taken and discussions that are happening as a result of COP27. We will also continue to keep climate change as a priority issue as it continues to consistently affect Earth at an alarming rate.

Donate

Donate to EDFU Foundation if you can! Your support helps us continue the work we do and to be able to attend events like COP27 and create space for all to be included!