Last week, two climate milestones concluded – The Summary for Policymakers of the MedECC Special Report on climate and environmental coastal risks in the Mediterranean has been endorsed by the COP 23Med of the Barcelona Convention in Portorož, Slovenia. The report was developed by 55 authors from 30 countries and then reviewed by numerous external peers, stakeholders, and decision-makers. Policymakers around the Mediterranean now have tailor-made insight into the coastal risks we are facing.
Simultaneously, among different conclusions at COP28 Climate in Dubai, UAE, let’s emphasise the importance of the first-ever Global Stock Take, a mid-term review of states' progress towards the Paris Agreement commitments. Global Stock Take revealed the grim reality of the state’s progress towards its commitments and promises. While global emissions should be reduced by 7% annually, they continue to rise. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reminded us that the era of fossil fuels must end, while Prof. Jochan Rockström, Director of Postdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, emphasised that the crucial cuts of emissions will be the ones which we must see in the next years, by 2025, by 2030. We may conclude by emphasising the relevance of this fact for the coastal areas due to the current state of glaciers and ice sheets.
