The search for solutions to climate change is reminiscent of the tragedy of the commons, where neighbours benefit from shared goods, such as an area of pasture or an irrigation pond, but their overexploitation ends up degrading the shared resource.
Faced with a situation that harms everyone involved – in this case, out-of-control greenhouse gas emissions – the actors are unable to reach consensus positions that guarantee the common good, ie, limiting global warming to below 2°C .
To address this ‘tragedy’, the United Nations is hosting the 27th summit on climate change (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) from 6 to 18 November.
Impact of the war in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has highlighted Europe’s vulnerability due to dependence on fossil fuels and the need to rethink its energy model. After decades of calling on developing countries to grow through renewable energy, Europe is forced to be exemplary and to make a firm commitment to non-fossil fuel energy. Otherwise its credibility and opportunity to influence the global energy transition will be undermined.
It is also foreseeable that the US will try to reinforce its technological leadership by promoting ambitious initiatives and gain ground lost during the previous administration.
Another possible consequence of the war is whether the resulting new geopolitical status quo will affect emissions. In addition to the traditional influence of Western countries, China has a growing presence in Africa, which may encourage important agreements to strengthen its position on the continent.
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