EU’s climate chief criticises outcomes of UN climate summit

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, EGYPT:  The European Union’s climate chief criticised the outcomes of the meeting Sharm el-Sheikh, saying it was 'not enough of a step forward for people and planet' and did 'not address the yawning gap between climate science and our climate policies'. Frans Timmermans said the 27-nation bloc had supported the deal in order to ensure the creation of a loss and damage fund, but expressed disappointment that stronger language on cutting emissions hadn’t been agreed upon. “I urge you to acknowledge, when you walk out of this room, that we have all fallen short in actions to avoid and minimise loss and damage,” he said. “We should have done much more.” Earlier, delegates at the UN climate summit officially approved a deal on a fund for developing countries vulnerable to climate change made worse by polluting developed nations at a plenary session early Sunday. An agreement was reached between parties Saturday afternoon. COP27 President Sameh Shoukry gaveled the decision on Sunday to a round of applause. Loss and damage made it on the official agenda for the first time at the summit after increasing pressure from developing countries. [caption id="attachment_30801" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Attendees and members of the media lounge as they wait for a closing plenary session at the COP27 UN Climate Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Sunday, November 20, 2022. Photo: AP via RSS[/caption] Key decisions on phasing out all fossil fuels and keeping the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit agreed upon during last year's climate summit in Glasgow in the text still hang in the balance. By RSS/AP READ ALSO:

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