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Ambergris Caye Declaration on COP26 Outcomes and CARICOM Expectations in the lead up to COP27: “A Pathway from Ambition to Action”

Recalling the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Declaration on the 1.5 °C Ambition to Defend the Most Vulnerable.

Recalling further the regional priorities and expectations for the Glasgow Climate Change Conference aiming to consolidate global solidarity to close the gap for 1.5 °C ambition.

Taking note of the Glasgow Climate Pact and the decisions adopted by the respective governing bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement.

Appreciating that the Glasgow Climate Change Conference focused the narrative of ambition on 1.5 °C and confirmed the role of science in informing ambition and accelerated action,

Acknowledging that the Glasgow Climate Pact establishes work programmes to strengthen the 2030 emissions reductions targets, to support measurable progress on the global goal on adaptation, and to determine a new collective goal on climate finance by 2024, and further recognizes the start of the global stocktake and its importance to urgently address gaps in mitigation ambition, adaptation, loss and damage, and finance this decade to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Noting also the decision to initiate the Glasgow Dialogue on Loss and Damage and the finalization of the Paris Agreement Work Programme on common timeframes, transparency and article 6, Expressing grave concern that notwithstanding the pledges for net zero announced at the Conference, together with the range of voluntary initiatives launched during its Summit, according to the updated NDC Synthesis report, global warming is still projected to be 2.7°C in 2100, which confirms the latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change AR6 Report, that on these trends 1.5 °C could be breached as early as this decade, Alarmed that emissions are expected to continue to rise to record breaking levels as countries emerge from COVID-19, with 2021 seeing the second largest annual increase in CO2 emissions in history.

Deeply concerned that developed countries support for climate action is incommensurate with the needs of developing countries to justly transition their societies and economies to low emissions climate resilient pathways and the increasing costs they face with rising emissions, the fast approaching or otherwise   breached tipping points, the compounding effects of the cumulative impacts of climate change on sustainable development, and unavoidable loss and damage.

Particularly worried that despite being the least contributors to the climate emergency, Member States of the CARICOM face unsustainable and disproportionate debt burdens as they confront escalating climate impacts, Emphasizing thus the inexorable need to increase near term ambition, to accelerate urgent climate action, and increase and deliver timely support to developing countries, in this decade.

Reiterating that limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires rapid, deep and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions, including reducing global carbon dioxide emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 relative to the 2010 level and to net zero around mid-century, as well as deep reductions in other greenhouse gases.

Underscoring the need for an unequivocal political commitment that no effort shall be spared to strengthen emissions reduction targets of the major emitters as early as the end of 2022, and to enact the necessary measures to unlock and fast track the great potential of humanity, taking a an urgent and systematic approach, in line with principles of the Paris Agreement, and ensuring accountability and transparency.

Desiring thus for 2022 to initiate a roadmap from ambition to action with milestones for governments and non-state actors alike with COP27 as our first way point on the path to 1.5°C , the CARICOM Heads of Government,

1. Affirm that for the Caribbean keeping global temperatures below 1.5°C is not an option, it is a matter of survival.

2. Urgently call upon the international community to uphold its responsibility to protect the most vulnerable and maintain a central focus on the special case and particular circumstances of small island developing states (SIDS).

3. Affirm that “Securing a safe climate future for the Caribbean” will remain under close consideration of the CARICOM Heads of Government with a view inter alia to elaborating further on the regional roadmap from ambition to action with a focus on articulating regional needs and priorities, forging new partnerships across the whole of society, and, strengthening CARICOM political engagement in multilateral processes to advance regional priorities.

4. Endorse a Paris 2030 delivery agenda to include for 2022:

a. At COP27 if not earlier, major economies plan for strengthened 2030 emissions reduction targets in line with the 1.5 °C Paris temperature goal and Low-emissions Development Strategies;

b. Leading up to COP27, a US$100 billion finance dashboard progress report and at COP27, and during the High-level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Finance, clarification on plans to scale beyond the floor of US $100 billion in the period through to 2025 taking into account the parity between adaptation and mitigation, and the additionality of loss and damage finance;

c. Measures of progress on developed countries commitment to double adaptation finance from 2019 levels and to ensure that vulnerable countries are accessing and benefitting from these finance flows;

d. Timely progress of technical work as called for in the Glasgow Climate Pact noting with appreciation the efforts of the COP Presidencies of the United Kingdom and of Egypt  to accelerate the work programmes geared towards clear deliverables at COP27;

e. A timebound reform agenda for climate funds, multilateral development banks, and other finance providers to address SIDS access to grants and other concessionary finance arrangements in line with our urgent needs and priorities; and in this regard urge implementation and further elaboration of the call to action emanating from the second roundtable dialogue on SIDS and access to finance ;

f.  Allocation of an envelope of resources to SIDS under the Global Environment Facility Eighth Replenishment Process for capacity building and technology transfer including for the implementation of the enhanced transparency framework;

g. Conclusion of elements for the full operationalization of Article 6 consistent with 1.5 °C ambition, accountability, transparency and environmental integrity;

5. Welcome the focus of the UK COP Presidency on delivery, and urge the continued collaboration with the incoming President of COP27 (Egypt), to ensure consistency, coherence and implementation of commitments in line with the principles and goals of the Paris Agreement;

6. Also take note of the UK COP Presidency Glasgow Breakthrough Initiatives and the launch of the Global Checkpoint Process and encourage the UK COP Presidency to engage with CARICOM Member States to identify how the region can benefit and champion SIDS specific breakthroughs;

7. Urge the convenors of other fora intended to mobilize support for the UNFCCC process, including the Major Economies Forum, the Ministerial on Climate Action and the Petersberg Dialogue, to marshal efforts to support a Paris delivery agenda;

8. Note the policy priorities of Germany’s G7 Presidency under the overarching objective of “Progress towards and equitable world” including the focus in particular on a sustainable planet;

9. Take note further of the G7 Presidency’s intention to establish a global Climate Club to foster ambitious, climate action and encourage the G7 Presidency to engage with the Caribbean and other small island developing states as partners to jointly identify how such an alliance can directly address the SIDS needs in the near term particularly for addressing adaptation, and unavoidable loss and damage and avoid any unintended consequences;

10. Note also that the Indonesian Presidency of the G20 has identified energy transition as a policy priority, and express the hope that the focus on sustainable energy transition will be framed in light of the temperature goal of 1.5°C and so lend support to strengthened 2030 emissions targets that could be brought forward to the COP27, underscoring that in so doing the G20 together can keep 1.5°C  within reach;

11. Calls also for global recognition of the SIDS need for finance for loss and damage to cover the costs of impacts and risks to which we cannot adapt;

12. Urge all leaders to confront the reality that climate change poses an existential threat to SIDS and that its impacts represent a “Code Red for Humanity” and thus require immediate, global action to reduce greenhouse emissions and provide accessible and affordable finance in line with the science to keep 1.5°C within reach.

There is no more time for equivocation and no more time for delay;  we, the CARICOM Heads of Government, demand action now.

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