Why was Mozambique excluded from the climate summit?

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Why was Mozambique excluded from the climate summit?

4:00 CAT | 23 Apr 2021

Photo: DW

José Langa, from the Environmental Observatory for Climate Change, is surprised that Mozambique was excluded from the global climate summit hosted by U.S. president Joe Biden. Those most affected should be part of the debate, the environmentalist argues.

More than 40 heads of states and world leaders participate in the Leaders’ Summit on Climate convened by President of the United States, Joe Biden, which started off yesterday (Thursday, 22-04) and ends today.

Environmental activists in several countries accuse the great powers of inaction in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, at a time when the consequences of climate change are already noticeable in many countries, such as Mozambique.

According to the Global Climate Risk Index, published annually by the non-governmental organization (NGO) GermanWatch, Mozambique ranks first on the list of countries most vulnerable to climate change, after being affected in 2019 (last year analysed) by cyclones Idai and Kenneth, which claimed about 700 lives.

Next Sunday (25-04) marks two years since the passage of Cyclone Kenneth. The country is also currently at risk of being hit by Cyclone Jobo, which would mainly affect the province of Cabo Delgado.

Those most affected should be heard

Langa says it is strange that Mozambique was excluded from the summit.

“It is sad, because it seems that our appeals, the appeals of those who are most affected, do not reach those who have the power. It would have been interesting if we, as the most affected, had been part of this debate,” he says.

Jbiden.dw_ — *Joe Biden, host of the climate summit*

The activist argues that the time has come for the most powerful countries to consider those populations most vulnerable to climate change.

“We are not going to stop asking for help in relation to climate change, for investment in scientific studies that show how much we are suffering, but mainly [recognition of] the neglect of those who cause this issue of climate change,” Langa says.

Union against global warming

On the first day of the event, world leaders called for everyone’s commitment to [reducing] global warming.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres challenged world governments to take climate change seriously. “The world is on red alert. We are on the edge of the abyss. We must be sure that the next step is in the right direction. Leaders everywhere must take action,” Guterres urged.

Angela..dw_ — *German Chancellor Angela Merkel*

“The signs are unmistakable. The cost of inaction continues to rise,” summit host Joe Biden acknowledged. The U.S. president pledged to cut U.S. greenhouse gas pollution in half by 2030. And he appealed to other world leaders. “Scientists tell us that this is the decisive decade – this is the decade we must make decisions that will avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis.”

Biden’s new promise came after the Trump administration withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement. The United States returned to the agreement shortly after President Biden’s inauguration.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that her country will continue to play its part in the fight against global warming. “Germany has already reduced its emissions by 40%, compared to 2019, and has said that the EU will be climate neutral by 2050. By 2030, we want to have at least 55% lower emissions, compared to 1990,” Merkel said.

Here’s a look at the world leaders the US invited to the summit.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Antigua and Barbuda

President Alberto Fernandez, Argentina

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Australia

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh

Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, Bhutan

President Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canada

President Sebastián Piñera, Chile

President Xi Jinping, People’s Republic of China

President Iván Duque Márquez, Colombia

President Félix Tshisekedi, Democratic Republic of the Congo