spot_imgspot_img
Saturday, June 14, 2025

EDITORIAL: COP27: MORE EMPTY PROMISES OR WILL IT BEAR FRUIT?

Date:

Remember COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009? Let the M&G jog your memory. Wealthier nations promised developing countries $100-billion a year until 2020. That money was supposed to be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cope with the climate crisis.

The Landscape of Climate Finance in Africa report says countries on the African continent received only 12% to 15% of their required climate response investment in 2019 and 2020.

Fast-forward to COP26 in Glasgow last year, when wealthier nations pledged $8.5-billion to South Africa for a just transition to clean energy while weaning the country off coal. That money is yet to reach South African hands. Talks are underway to determine how it will be used. The money promised will mostly be in the form of loans, which South Africa can ill-afford.

The question we’re left with is: how will these countries meet this financial requirement when they also face energy crunches? Take Germany for example; the country is part of the partnership but will be turning back to coal because Russia’s gas supply is unsteady. If it is adopting coal, it leads to the question why it would give another country funds to move away from coal.

Call us cynics but it would appear that these climate negotiations are filled with empty promises. This year’s event is hailed as the implementation COP where the hope is that countries will negotiate the actual delivery of the money. The goal is to ensure that the promises made are kept.

Another contentious issue is gas. All signs say several African countries will push for gas, much to the dismay of the West. It’s a cheaper alternative, but not clean. Some regard natural gas as a transition fuel while more sustainable technologies mature.

But gas is a major contributor to climate change (methane), poses serious threats to human health at every stage of its life cycle and its extraction, processing, transport, and use leads to land degradation, air and water pollution, as well as habitat and biodiversity loss.

If wealthier countries are fumbling the money that will make the transition smoother, why would African countries stall their own energy security? If fossil fuels remain affordable and a way for countries to ensure energy security, one cannot deny their appeal.

But the global warming that comes with it is not something the planet, African countries included, can afford.

Countries are left with a major conundrum: use fossil fuels, ensure energy security and damage the future of their children, or suffer with inadequate energy and a struggling economy while getting renewables up and let future generations enjoy a more liveable planet.

The choice is not as difficult as it seems.

 

smartnews
Smart News Liberia is an online news outlet and a product of Smart Media Group Inc. Our website, smartnewsliberia.com, covers a broad spectrum of news content. For inquiries or information, you can reach us at 0777425285 or 0886946925, or email us at smartnewsliberia@gmail.com or info@smartnewsliberia.com.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

MADAM NIKOLINA STALHAND CALLS FOR STRONGER ACTION AGAINST CORRUPTION IN LIBERIA

MONROVIA – Madam Nikolina Stalhand, Program Officer at the...

CAPITOL ARSON CASE NEARS VERDICT AS KOFFA LAWYERS SLAM ‘BASELESS’ CHARGES

MONROVIA – The long-running Capitol Building arson case involving...

CENTAL LAUNCHES 2024 SCORE REPORT HIGHLIGHTING CORRUPTION TRENDS AND PROGRESS IN LIBERIA

MONROVIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in...

HISTORY WIN AT THE UN: CAN LIBERIA TURN GLOBAL RECOGNITION INTO LOCAL IMPACT?

On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Liberia achieved an important...

STUDENTS AT SINJE CAMPUS PUSH FOR BACHELOR’S DEGREES DURING UL PRESIDENT’S VISIT

SINJE, GRAND CAPE MOUNT COUNTY – University of Liberia...

LIBERIA’S LEADERS MUST REJECT DANGEROUS RHETORIC BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

Liberia's hard-won peace must not be endangered by reckless...

LIBERIA’S DEMOCRACY FACES A CRITICAL MOMENT

The Supreme Court’s ruling on the Bill of Information...

COMMENTARY

WHY FOLLOW A PR STRATEGY TO OVERCOME CRISES AND MAINTAIN BRAND VISIBILITY

Courtesy of Martin Blayon, an experienced Public Relations Specialist Misinformation...

THE LASTING LEGACY OF PRINCE JOHNSON’S DEATH AND THE PATH FORWARD FOR LIBERIA

By Lyndon J. Ponnie, Sr. The passing of former Liberian...

PRES. BOAKAI’S LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND LIBERIA’S POLITICAL CRISIS

-A Commentary Joseph Boakai's failure to lead has once again...

LATEST NEWS

‘ORIGINAL JAPAN’ AND ASSOCIATES CONVICTED, SENTENCED IN MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKING CASE

MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Criminal Court C Judge Blamo Dixon...

PRESIDENT BOAKAI CONDEMNS ESCALATION OF CONFLICT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND IRAN

MONROVIA, (EXECUTIVE MANSION) – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.,...

PRESS UNION OF LIBERIA UNVEILS MEDIA ALERT REPORT

Attacks, Threats, Ethical Violation of Journalists and Lawsuits Impacting...

Share post:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

OPINION

USING THE PAST TO INFORM THE PRESENCE AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE

My birthday message to the people of Liberia As I...

HOR IN UPROAR AS EMBATTLED SPEAKER KOFFA’S INFLUENCE EXPOSES GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES

By Socrates Smythe Saywon, Sr. Liberia’s political scene is currently...

LIBERIANS ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UP AND CDC

  An Opinion By Grace RK Guar Every six...

AMERICA’S NEGLECT OF LIBERIA: A CALL FOR CHANGE

An Opinion By Bishop Dr. Rudolph Q. Kwanue, Sr A...

THE GALLERY

spot_imgspot_img

MORE ARTICLES

spot_imgspot_img

MORE NEWS

LATEST DEVELOPMENT NEWS

LATEST CRIME NEWS

Share via
Copy link