Chakwera urges fairness in climate change fight

President Lazarus Chakwera says there is a need for fairness in access to resources and the level of responsibility between countries in regards to climate mitigation, adaptation and financing.

He said this yesterday when he delivered his address at the high-level 27th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (CoP27) underway at Sharma El Sheikh in Egypt.

In his speech made available to The Nation by the State House Press Office, Chakwera said benchmarks for climate mitigation, adaptation and financing for developed nations cannot in a fair system be the same as those for developing nations.

Similarly, the President said benchmarks for low-income and low-productivity countries cannot be the same as those for high-income and high-productivity countries.

He said: “So, as Malawi, we believe that the clear difference in culpability and capacity between developed nations must be reflected in the level of responsibility they bear for climate mitigation, adaptation and financing.

“Similarly, we believe that the clear difference in culpability and capacity between developed nations must be reflected in the resources they can access for mitigation, adaptation and financing.”

Chakwera said there is a strong need for urgency in regards to climate change, stressing that humanity is running out of time on the premise that nature is losing its patience and lashing out with unrelenting vengeance.

The President, therefore, said the key to addressing climate change is sustainable development and restoring the balance between the relationship between humanity and nature.

In addition, he said there is need for solidarity in the fight against climate change, as such, it will be important for humanity to remember the measures put in place.

The President also appealed to world leaders present at the meeting to go beyond rhetoric in the agreements that have been made in regards to the fight against climate change.

This year’s CoP27 has brought together various world leaders, envoys, delegates, experts and members of civil society to mobilise and prioritise the global climate agenda.

On the sidelines of the main meeting there are several other side meetings where leaders of different countries are engaging with various civil society leaders to discuss a number of issues in relation to climate change.

Information published on CoP27 official social media platforms on Monday, for the first time since the adoption of the United Nations climate convention, parties agreed to introduce loss and damage funding as an agenda item at the conference.

 CoP27, taking place from November 6 to 18, is being held under the theme ‘Delivering for People and the Planet #Together for Implementation’. It aims to shift the focus from negotiations and planning to action on the ground, where it is most needed.