The U.S. must change course at COP27 and ensure it supports a Loss and Damage finance facility
9 November 2022
9 November 2022: While awaiting the full outcomes of the midterms elections in the United States, it is worth remembering that back in April more than 500 organizations from six continents sent a letter to President Biden and other world leaders, urging them to speed the end of the fossil fuel era and spur a just and equitable transition to 100% renewable energy.
Biden retains significant executive powers to meet not only U.S. climate goals but also the country’s global responsibility as the largest historic climate polluter. These include declaring a climate emergency, phasing down federal fossil fuel extraction and increasing its national climate mitigation targets. The Biden administration can also lead – instead of obstruct – the process of establishing a financing mechanism for loss and damage to pay countries suffering from the climate crisis they did little to create.
Ahead of President Biden’s visit to COP27 on 11 November, speaking at a Climate Action Network press conference, Sharon Lavigne, founder and director, Rise St. James, said: “Fossil fuels are killing us in Cancer Alley and President Biden has the power to stop it. I’m asking the president to meet with me and declare a climate emergency to stop the fossil fuel projects poisoning our bodies and communities.”
Jean Su, energy justice director, Center for Biological Diversity, said: “Biden has the power to propel climate action no matter what happens in Congress. Despite promising investments in renewables, we haven’t seen the urgent action we need on fossil fuels. Biden needs to declare a climate emergency, stop approving fossil fuel projects and push for loss and damage financing. This COP is Biden’s chance to be the climate president.”
Kelly Stone, Senior Policy Analyst of ActionAid USA, said: “Regardless of the final results, this election does not change the United States’ obligations as the largest historical emitter. The transformation demanded by a real 1.5C pathway will require the whole world to act. This won’t be possible without every country doing their fair share, but considering the US’s role in creating this crisis, it’s particularly important.
The Biden Administration is going to claim that they’ve been trying, but even if today’s results make things harder, the crisis won’t wait and communities already facing devastating impacts need and deserve support.”
Harjeet Singh, Head of Global Political Strategy, Climate Action Network International, said: “The US is a serial climate offender, ramping up its own fossil fuel production while leaving vulnerable communities, who have done little to cause the climate crisis, to cope on their own.
The US, the biggest historical emitter, has been a consistent blocker on addressing the issue of loss and damage and delivering finance. It is time for the US to change course at COP27 to help create a system to scale up funds to address intensifying impacts like super storms, floods and sea level rise.
“History will not be kind to the US, and what the US does today matters, as the country is running late on the agenda: when we were asking for adaptation they said that adaptation was not needed, and now we talk about loss and damage and they just talk about adaptation,” he added.
Contact:
For more information, contact Dharini Parthasarathy, Global Communications Lead, CAN International; email: dparthasarathy@climatenetwork.org, or whatsapp/call on +918826107830
About Climate Action Network:
Climate Action Network (CAN) is a global network of over 1800 NGOs in over 150 countries, working to fight the climate crisis. www.climatenetwork.org.