ECO is confused about some stories that have been coming from all sides since delegates started arriving at COP27. These stories are from civil society observers, activists, and experts who paid for their tickets and booked their hotels. Or did they?
There are numerous instances of civil society observers being asked to pay 2x or even 5x the price of their booking and then being kicked onto the streets when they couldn’t pay. Why? Because apparently being an activist is expensive. But don’t worry! You can save hundreds of dollars or euros a night, you only need to change your mind and become a tourist, instead of participating in the Conference. Just go to the beach, relax and keep your mind off stressful issues like the climate crisis and loss and damage. Hence, ECO is wondering – is the UNFCCC badge really free? Is this COP inclusive only for those who are able to pay more? What will happen when more people arrive next week? Will this continue?
We remember the letter which the Egyptian Hotel Association sent to hotels in Sharm-el-Sheikh earlier this year, although COP Presidency denied any government involvement in it during a meeting with observer constituencies (ECO has seen this signed and dated letter in its original Arabic). Describing the event as a “unique tourism opportunity”, the letter mentioned minimum prices for hotel rooms during the conference — a five-star hotel would cost at least $500 and two-star hotels would start from $120. Can this be inclusive? ECO doesn’t think so.
ECO appeals to the Egyptian Presidency and the UNFCCC to make sure that we are all on the same page here. COP observers have the right to a safe, secure and accessible accommodation, at the prices agreed to when reservations were confirmed, and not to be left out on the streets. The Secretariat must work with Parties and Observers to ensure that all future COP host countries and cities know that this must never be allowed to happen again. Civil society observers should be encouraged to participate at COP, not punished for it!