For decades, scientists and activists have called for action to slow the pace of global warming. The political process has struggled and largely failed to keep up with the growing climate crisis. But through annual summits known as the United Nations Conference of the Parties, or COP, countries have finally started to commit to reducing their emissions. At last year’s climate summit, nations that make up about two thirds of the global economy committed to reducing emissions enough to try to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees celsius. 

At this year’s 27th COP in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, central questions will focus on how to pay for climate adaptation and mitigation. And, since the world’s 20 biggest economies are responsible for 80% of all climate disrupting emissions, how much money do those nations owe poorer countries suffering from a problem they didn’t create?

Guests:

Jonathan Pershing, Former Special Envoy for Climate Change, U.S. Department of State

Omnia El Omrani, COP27 Youth Envoy

Ambassador Wael Aboulmagd, Special Representative of the COP27 President

Contributing Producer: Rabiya Jaffery

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