Macron at COP27 Egypt: Russia-Ukraine war shouldn’t change climate pledges
French President Emmanuel Macron said at the 27th UN climate change summit (COP27) in Egypt that the world should not sacrifice its climate commitments because of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has not only brought the war to European soil but it has also brought uncertainty and tension to the world,” Macron added, bringing “difficulty upon difficulty” particularly to the African continent and around the Mediterranean.
The French president added that the Russian war in Ukraine – which erupted just a few months after the COVID pandemic – would lead many to say they have other priorities to focus on.
“But at the same time, we see many states being affected by the consequences of the unravelling of the climate, and we must show that the climate emergency is well and truly here.” he said.
Macron said the world’s climate commitments should not be sacrificed, especially for rich countries including France.
“We must continue to work on the mitigation front and we must transition our economies away from coal,” he stated, adding that helping developing countries do this must also be a priority.
He urged world leaders to avoid “division” over the environment and other issues such as war.
“We must come to terms with the concept of financial solidarity,” Macron said, before calling countries to do what they committed to 12 years ago; help channel $100 billion a year to less wealthy nations to help them adapt to climate change.
He added that the UN countries are currently closer to the $50 billion mark – but this can change.
“Beyond these figures, we must have specific actions… and come up with partnerships that will deliver this [climate] justice,”
The French president welcomed the “courage” of developing country leaders who have pushed forward the debate on loss and damage funding. He added that he wanted to see work to “change the rules” of international banks – such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – to provide more funding for vulnerable nations.
Rich countries, especially European countries including France, must abide by their national strategies to reduce emissions, Macron noted.
Plans to reduce emissions by 55 percent by 2030 should be based on “energy sobriety” and the accelerated development of renewable energies and solutions that will help transition from fossil fuels and nuclear energy, the French president stated.
