Belgium in Brief: Just one big COP out?

Belgium in Brief: Just one big COP out?
Credit: Belga

COP week has come around again (that's the abbreviated term for United Nations Climate Change Conference, in case you needed reminding). But whereas last year's edition in Glasgow garnered considerable media attention, this year's summit in Egyptian resort Sharm El-Sheikh has so far created less of a stir, though the stakes mount with each passing year.

Part of the spectacle of last year was certainly down to its proximity: the Belgian delegation was able to make a show of going by train and EU leaders sought to eulogise low-impact travel. Yet as an international meeting, practicality sadly trumped green principles and most participants made the journey by plane (largely private jets).

But it wasn't simply the proximity of last year's event that put meetings in the spotlight – Glasgow provided a far more accessible rallying point for Europe's climate activists, arguably the most vociferous on the international stage. Not only is Egypt a long way away, it's also far less open to civil protest and has a fairly deplorable record when it comes to dealing with dissent.

Perhaps most pertinently it seems that climate is sliding down the political agenda with leaders of many of the world's most polluting (richest) nations making it clear that they are just too busy to give their time to environmental efforts. And even if they do deign to attend, it is often to resist climate-saving measures.

Developed nations are clearly slipping far from the landmark Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C, turning a blind eye to commitments as they fire up coal power stations and refuse to acknowledge the incompatibility of cutting emissions whilst growing GDP.

Belgium's Prime Minister sought to extol existing efforts by Belgium and the EU rather than commit to greater financial assistance for developing nations. It's a position echoed by most of the world's wealthiest nations who with the latest economic difficulties are even less willing to put their money where their mouth is.

So is it all just hot air? Let @Orlando_tbt know.

Belgium in Brief is a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your coffee break conversations. To receive it straight to your inbox every day, sign up below:

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