Page 69 - Nigeria one mag 4 edition en

ries that the developed countries' numerous pledges have not been backed up by financial and timeline
commitments. In the backdrop of a worldwide recession, an energy and food crisis, and nations on the verge of
default, the summit took place amid a storm of global challenges. All of it is happening as climate impacts grow
more threatening. Considering that the United States is one of the richest countries and the biggest climate
polluter in the world, Biden's participation in the summit is essential. Biden touted a swath of U.S. climate
achievements, both domestic and in partnership with other countries. Nevertheless, he failed to endorse a
dedicated fund that would assist disaster-stricken countries in paying for the consequences of climate change.
According to activists, the world's richest country and the largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases must pay
its fair share for the effects of its emissions. Yet the U.S. has long opposed such financial commitments at UN
climate talks, due to concerns over legal liability for trillions of dollars in climate change damage. As part of the
Paris climate agreement negotiations in 2015, the USA requested that language be added clarifying that loss and
damage do not imply liability or compensation.
Besides the damage and loss, other subjects were also discussed. A discussion was held about the contradictory
stance of Western countries on fossil fuel production. Germany and Italy have come under fire from climate
activists for secretly encouraging governments such as Senegal, Nigeria, and Mozambique to develop and export
their fossil gas reserves. Their efforts seem to be getting a favorable response, with Senegalese President Macky
Sall welcoming growing international support to develop gas resources in the continent as part of its energy
transition. The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Senegal, Niger, and South Africa in May in an attempt to
find partners to drill for natural gas for export to avert a European energy crisis triggered by Russia's invasion of
Ukraine. It is a proposal that Mr. Sall’s government is moving on. Prior to this, the European Parliament had
approved new EU rules designating investments in gas and nuclear power plants as climate-friendly.
The discovery of natural gas reserves in several African countries has led to questions about whether to take
advantage of the recent spike in demand, something that has grabbed attention at COP27. In response to this
apparent contradiction, Macky Sall said resource development would provide greater economic prosperity in his
country. He stated “Let’s be clear, we are in favor of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But we Africans cannot
accept that our vital interests are being ignored.” Advocates for the expansion of natural gas on the continent
refer to it as a "transition fuel" since its emissions are lower than that of oil and coal. But climate activists claim
this is greenwashing and a ploy that keeps African nations in the same development trap as they were in the past.

Les Premiers ministres espagnol et tunisien, Pedro Sanchez et Najla Bouden, tiennent une réunion bilatérale à la COP27

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