The COP which is currently taking place in Azerbaijan until November 22 is 29.e And yet, this event, which has brought together tens of thousands of people, has not yet made it possible to slow down global warming. In 2024, can we still believe in the interest of COPs? We interviewed the most prominent French climatologist, Jean Jozelle, former member of the IPCC and current president of the Weather and Climate Association.
this year, Jean JozellJean Jozell 29 decided not to go.e Conference of the Parties (COP28) for personal reasons. He clarifies that in any case, “ The French team was greatly reduced due to tensions between France and Azerbaijan. “, before adding ” This COP is not a good start at the diplomatic level. ».
You were one of the first scientists to raise the issue of global warming in the 1980s, do you still believe in it after all these years with global warming continuing to increase?
Jean Jozelle: Yes, 30 years ago when we talked about global warming, we talked about a scenario of a temperature rise of 5°C compared to pre-industrial times. Now we are talking about a 3 degree Celsius scenario. That’s still too much to adapt to, but it’s not even 5°C. So, we cannot say that nothing has been done. This is obviously thanks to the IPCC and the COP, otherwise we would still be in this +5°C scenario. It is really the COPs that are at the origin of highlighting the climate issue at the global level.
Have concrete actions been taken after past COPs? If so, can you name someone who seems important to you, to convince those who think “it’s useless”?
Jean Jozelle: The development of renewable energies is directly related to COPs. Thanks to the decisions made, solutions emerged more quickly. COPs have accelerated the transition, especially for some of the most polluting countries, such as China.
One of the major decisions made during the COP was the Paris Agreement in 2015: its goal was to limit global warming to +1.5°C, but we are on track to exceed that limit in 2024. Should we abandon this goal or decide? A new limit of +2°C?
Jean Jozelle: No! Limits are set on the adaptive capacity of the population. Targets are set on the basis of observation of possible adaptations or to no specific extent. We are not going to change the goals because we are not going to achieve them, especially not! Goals are not defined based on what we can do.
What do you say to those who say it is harmful to send 40,000 people to a country for a COP, which costs money, but also in terms of greenhouse gas emissions?
Jean Jozelle: The COP is one of the only places where all countries on the planet come together, especially poor countries. It would be selfish of us to stop doing COPs, selfish of poor countries. It is also a meeting place for all those interested in climate, bringing together very different people: from the transport sector, finance, urban planning…
What do you think about the choice of countries to host COPs in recent years? Highly polluting countries that live on fossil fuels like the United Arab Emirates last year, and Azerbaijan?
Jean Jozelle: We can regret that it has been in this kind of country for three years. It is under pressurepressure Russia was chosen for Azerbaijan. Russia did not want a country allied with Europe, so diplomats agreed on Azerbaijan. Next year, the COP will again be held in an oil-producing country. It’s a lot, but we can’t argue about it The oilThe oil without exchanging with producing countries. If we focus only on good countries, it will be among us.
If you had all the options at this COP, what major action would you take, if only one, as a priority over the others?
Jean Jozelle: I agree with the two main objectives of this COP: First, the priority is North-South solidarity. We need to renegotiate aid to poor countries, that’s the most important thing. A lot is needed, a new personality has to be brought to the table. The success or failure of COP28 will be determined by this new goal of aid to the South. Without this solidarity, we will not be able to effectively fight against global warming. If develops with Africa. FuelFuel Fossils, going into us murmur ! Another goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions very quickly. We have 45 percent.BroadcastingBroadcasting More than in 2030.
