As ECO highlighted on Monday, the GST is like a football game of two halves, a technical phase, followed by a political phase, with COP27 the equivalent of the half-time transition between the two halves. ECO is concerned that the focus at COP27 seems to be merely about repeating the first half technical achievements, without taking the needed steps to score political wins.
Need for coaching and leadership to translate first-half potential into second half winning goals
In a football match, half-time is the occasion when the coach and captain transform the tactical potential of the first half into goals to be scored during the second half. Likewise, the GST is in need of leadership to translate the potential of the technical phase into actual political wins.
ECO is now eager to see the Egyptian and UAE COP27 and COP28 Presidencies step up and provide this leadership. The Egyptian Presidency could play the role of a visionary coach, motivating Parties to step up their game and sending signals for how the second political half could play out. This would be translated in a COP27 GST decision text, as well as the inclusion of this process in the cover decision text of COP27. The UAE Presidency could then play the role of charismatic team captain, leading Parties out on the pitch during the second half and executing a game/work plan that will result in match winning goals (climate ambition). Concretely this could be providing a roadmap with several high level political meetings already at the beginning of next year to correctly prepare the outcome phase of the GST.
And let us not forget the technical director, who is responsible to ensure that all players have the best conditions to do their sport and win. In our context, this is the UNFCCC: even if another technical dialogue is planned for June 2023, as well as Joint Contact Group sessions, that won’t be enough. We need additional virtual sessions in the first three months of 2023.
Finally, no football game is organised without referees and linesmen. They are reminding players (Parties) what rules to play by and ensure a high quality game in the spirit of fair play. Non-state actors, especially civil society and the grassroots communities, have to be able to meaningfully participate in these additional GST sessions, high level meetings and other events. If the GST is not corresponding to what these actors demand, which essentially is to implement the Paris Agreement, it won’t be efficient and relevant enough to stay below 1.5°C.
No time to lose in the biggest match for the planet
Naturally, the current GST cycle is not to be compared to any regular football match. In light of the escalating climate crisis, it is in fact the biggest match for the planet and humanity. There is no time to lose in using the GST to achieve the climate ambition that is needed to limit global warming to less than 1.5°C. The real winner of this GST match should be the planet!