Negotiators at COP27 are still far from a strong agreement on climate.
The outcome of the conference in Sharm el-Sheikh is a test of the world's resolve to combat global warming while other crises attract international attention.
(Reuters)- The countries gathered at COP27 in Egypt were still far from agreeing on the outlines of a climate deal on Wednesday, with the host country urging negotiators to resolve their differences before the weekend deadline.
The outcome of the conference in Sharm el-Sheikh is a test of the world's resolve to combat global warming, while other crises, from Russia's war in Ukraine to global inflation, attract international attention.
The leaders of the G20 group of developed countries issued a statement on Wednesday expressing support for the global goal of limiting warming to 1,5 degrees Celsius, phasing out the use of coal, and accelerating climate finance.
Representatives at COP27 also welcomed the speech by President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who promised to re-engage Brazil in international initiatives to combat climate change.
Lula, speaking at the event alongside representatives from the Brazilian Amazonian states, said: "I am here to tell you all that Brazil is back in the world." He also offered to host COP30 in the country.
The Workers' Party candidate won the election last month against current president Jair Bolsonaro, who governed during a period of increasing destruction of the Amazon and refused to host the 2019 climate summit, which was originally planned for Brazil.
But within the negotiating rooms in Egypt, profound differences still exist.
An official familiar with the negotiation process said there are still disagreements about whether wealthier countries should establish a fund to cover irreparable damage caused by climate change, the language used regarding the use of fossil fuels, and whether the global warming target should remain at 1,5 degrees Celsius.
In his speech, Lula recalled that, in 2009, countries present at COP15 in Copenhagen pledged to mobilize $100 billion per year, starting in 2020, to help the least developed countries face climate change. But, he stressed, the promise has not yet been fulfilled.