The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25) ended on Sunday morning (December 15) without a decisive plan to tackle the climate crisis. Instead, member states have agreed to ask other countries for more ambitious greenhouse cuts to ensure climate agreements are met.
UN Chief Antonio Guterres expressed his “disappointment” at the lack of progress on Twitter, saying now is not the time to “give up”.
The UN chief’s sentiment was mirrored by environmental groups who accused the world’s leading superpowers of shirking responsibility for the climate crisis.
Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, 194 states have agreed to limit global warming to 1.5C (2.7F) degrees of preindustrial levels.
Most recent estimates, however, suggest the planet is headed for a catastrophic 3C to 4C degrees of warming by the end of the century.
Scientists have warned unchecked global warming could deprive 1.9 billion people of access to drinking water by 2100.
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WWF UK CEO Tanya Steele branded the COP25 talks a failure and urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to lead the world on climate change at the upcoming COP26 talks in Glasgow in November 2020.
She said: “These climate talks have been witness to the most staggering failure of leadership by some countries.
“Too many are still hitting the snooze button in the face of our planet’s loudest alarm.
“All eyes will now be on COP26 in Glasgow to restore much-needed confidence in this process and deliver the action necessary to restore a safe climate and safeguard humanity’s future.
“The stakes are so high and public concern irrefutable.
“Boris Johnson must make COP26 count and the UK must lead the world out of this climate emergency.”
These climate talks have been witness to the most staggering failure of leadership
Tanya Steele, WWF UK
The COP25 talks were held this year between December 2 and December 13 with a two-day extension that carried over the weekend into December 15.
The first stage of the talks was held in Chile, followed by world leaders convening in Madrid.
Among those present were the world’s leading polluters, including the likes of the US, China, India, Japan, Brazil and Saudi Arabia.
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WWF’s Manuel Pulgar-Vidal said: “Despite the efforts of the Chilean Presidency, the lack of commitment to scale up climate action by big emitting countries was too much to overcome.
“Their position is in stark contrast to science, rising demands from the streets and the harsh impacts already felt in vulnerable countries.
“We know what has to be done, and we have run out of time for backtracking or debate. 2020 must be different and we will fight even harder for people and nature.
“Governments will return home to face increasing frustrations from youth movements, citizens and vulnerable communities suffering from the impacts of the climate crisis, and will have to answer to them.
“Countries still have the chance to show they are committed to tackling the climate crisis by submitting enhanced climate pledges aligned with science as soon as possible in 2020.”
Director of Power Shift Mohamed Adow said: “Based on the adopted text, there is a glimmer of hope that the heart of the Paris Agreement is still beating.”
And the Canada-based environmental group Toronto 350 attacked the lack of decision making at COP25.
The group tweeted: “#COP25 has proven we cannot rely on politicians to prioritise the climate crisis with actions and goals.
“We must get involved locally and take actions to ensure we have future.”
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