COP27 in review - three significant contributions

Monday, November 21, 2022

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Each year the international climate change negotiations at the Conference of the Parties (COP) offer a critical opportunity to build on past progress and renew our commitment to accelerating the transition to a just, inclusive, low-carbon future. This year, the world descended on Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt,for COP27.Although opinions may vary on how successful COP27 was, and whether it was a “good” COP or “bad” COP, the fact remains that important conversations and work did take place and the effects of those actions will be impactful in the years to come.

We look back on three significant contributions by ݮƵ Climate Institute members.

1. Accelerating climateresilient tourism

Dr. Daniel Scott unveiled the ‘Foundation Framework’ for the new international Tourism Panel on Climate Change (TPCC) on November 10. The TPCC brings together more than 60 leading experts from over 30 countries and from across academia, business, and civil society, including Scott and fellow ݮƵ Climate Institute member Dr. Michelle Rutty. They are dedicated to a new era of climate resilient tourism, that is on track to achieve zero emissions by 2050 and is successfully adapting to accelerating the impacts of climate change through actions that broadly advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

2.Advancing insights in climate law and governance

On November 11, Dr. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger and Dr. Neil Craik presented on expert panels during , including democratizing climate law and governance capacity, implementing the Paris Agreement through courage, contributions and compliance, and finally governing resilience and climate repair. With 1,400 registrants worldwide, these sessions at the event strengthened the climate law and governance community to support the achievement of the world’s sustainable development goals, contributed to sharing challenges and best practices, catalyzed knowledge and facilitated partnerships.

3.Launching evidence for action on peatland conservation, restoration, and management

The was launched on November 17 to inform and inspire action in policy, research and practice to protect, restore and sustainably manage peatlands now and long into the future. Developed by the United Nations Environment Programme’sGlobal Peatlands Initiativeand supported by a group of 226 peatland experts from all regions of the globe, including Dr. Maria Strack who was acoordinating lead author of the report’s regional assessment for North America,it isthe most comprehensive assessment of peatlands to date.

Daniel Scott at COP27.

Dr. Daniel Scott at COP27.

Report cover.

Contact us for media inquiriesto learn more about this or other climate change related stories.

Read more of our latest news→

At the fall 2022 Climate Change Hackathon, seven interdisciplinary student teams presented solutions to climate change problem spaces at the final pitch competition. The teams were mentored by ݮƵ Climate Institute members Dr. Juan Moreno-Cruz, Dr. Marta Berbés-Blázquez, and Dr. Joyce Kim, including the winning teamH2GRO who secured the top prize of $5,000!

From November 6-18, the world will come together in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt,for the international climate change negotiations at theUnited Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC)annual Conference of the Parties (COP).Before the University’s COP27 delegation departs, the ݮƵ Climate Institute held an in-person discussion with them to reflect on the crucial issues that need to be tackled, Canada’s role in the negotiations, and what outcomes they hope to witness and achieve.