Tensions that have brewed behind closed doors over two weeks of fraught negotiations spilled into the open as climate talks came down to the wire.
China and India, the world’s first- and third-biggest emitters, raised objections to the most ambitious parts of the final agreement in Glasgow, Scotland — asking countries to shift away from fossil fuels and come back with upgraded climate goals next year.
European Union climate czar Frans Timmermans acknowledged that the conference hadn’t made sufficient progress on financing and loss and damage — the main sticking points for developing countries — but argued that it was just a starting point. “For heaven’s sake, don’t kill this moment,” he said.
“I wonder if we’re not at risk of stumbling in this marathon a couple of meters before reaching the finish line,” he said. Our children and grandchildren “will not forgive us if we fail them today,” he said to loud applause in the auditorium.
Meanwhile, vulnerable states including Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands backed the document, while emphasizing that it doesn’t go far enough to save them from the worst impacts of climate change.
Representatives of island nations on the very front lines of climate change banded together to plead for adoption of a final deal with a promise to accelerate the phase-out of unabated use of coal, even though they said it falls fall short of delivering the finance poor countries desperately need.
The text in front of us “does not have everything that everyone wants, but it has extremely important elements that do serve the planet,” said Tina Stege, of the Marshall Islands. “It is not perfect. It is not without fault. We have much work to do. But it does represent real progress — and that is what we need at this moment.”
One after another, delegates from island nations insisted adopting the accord was better than failing to agree. “We cannot afford no progress,” Stege said. “I am not willing to leave here with nothing.”
They said was still needed to address climate finance, including a shortfall in support from rich nations since 2020 and compensation for the loss and damage they are experiencing from global warming.
COP26 President Alok Sharma told delegates there will be another plenary to wrap up the session later in the day and appealed to negotiators to come to an agreement.
