Some photos from COP27, where I am attending with a small delegation from the Canterbury Climate Action Partnership as well as representing the Commonwealth Local Government Forum.
Canterbury Climate Action goes to COP27
Yesterday the focus was on energy transition, with special attention to addressing the needs of poorer people, not least in developing countries. Literally dozens of interesting sessions to attend, with many varied experiences from around the world. Listened to mayors from Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and elsewhere detailing what practical climate action they were taking in their own communities.
Good practice
I heard some unexpected examples of good practice. Like the city of Austin in Texas, the fastest-growing US city, where the mayor has made great innovations to help the poorest in energy transition, even locating mass transit stations in low-income areas to allow easy access to public transport and reduce reliance on private transport.
Around the conference centre, you hear the sound of demonstrations from indigenous peoples and other activists calling for climate justice and reparations for loss and damage. Inside, there is the buzz of the 33,000 delegates and observers busy discussing and networking – and often getting lost in the confusing maze of rooms and corridors!
This week will determine if COP27 has been a success, but whatever happens in Sharm-el-Sheikh, there is much real implementation of concrete climate action on the ground around the world, which is heartening. Clearly, there is much we can learn from each other, and COP27 is a great opportunity to do this.
