Presidents and Prime Ministers from around the world took to the stand, to pledge their climate promises and goals.
Many more will continue to speak over the coming week.
We need a Climate Solidarity Pact in which developed & emerging economies unite around a common strategy & combine resources to address the climate crisis.
The two largest economies – the USA & China – have a particular responsibility to join efforts to make this Pact a reality. pic.twitter.com/j7nDLkiVv5
During the opening day of the summit, leaders clearly outlined the biggest threats to the climate, with a particular focus on the Ukraine war.
Climate promises
Newly-appointed UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged his country’s climate initiatives during the opening day of COP27.
At the COP27 Climate summit, UK leader Rishi Sunak took to the stand, telling world leaders the Ukraine war is a reason to act urgently on climate change.
“Putin’s abhorrent war in Ukraine, and rising energy prices across the world, are not a reason to go slow on climate change…They are a reason to act faster…Climate security goes hand in hand with energy security.”
rishi sunak – uk prime minister
The Prime Minister went onto say the climate battle can be a driver for new jobs and clean growth. He also announced over $300 million in climate innovation and financing.
Today I will join leaders from across the world at @COP27P.
For our children and grandchildren, we must deliver on the legacy of Glasgow and protect the future of the planet. pic.twitter.com/tfbukFRBBC
The conference is an opportunity for world leaders to discuss global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep global warming below 1.5 degrees celsius.
However, new data released by the World Meteorological Organisation revealed the planet has likely recorded its hottest eight years in history.
The impacts of climate change are here now, and the loss & damage they cause can no longer be ignored.#COP27 must agree on a clear, time-bound roadmap reflective of the scale and urgency of the challenge.
Holly is an anchor and reporter at Ticker. She's experienced in live reporting, and has previously covered the Covid-19 pandemic on-location. She's passionate about telling stories in business, climate and health.
Australia experienced two of its worst cyber attacks on record last year, as the world braces for cyber warfare to rise
Ukraine has suffered a threefold growth in cyber-attacks over the past year.
Viktor Zhora is leading Ukraine’s State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection agency, who said cyber attacks are occurring at the same time as missile strikes at the hands of Russia.
Mr Zhora said in some cases, the cyber-attacks are “supportive to kinetic effects”.
On the other side of the planet, Russian hackers were responsible for Australia’s Medibank scandal.
“This is a crime that has the potential to impact on millions of Australians and damage a significant Australian business,” said Reece Kershaw, who is the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police.
Australian Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security is James Paterson, who said Australia can learn from cyber warfare in Ukraine.
“Ukraine is a lesson for the world.
“They are fighting a hybrid war, one on the ground and one online. If there is to be future conflict including in our own region, in the Indo-Pacific, it’s highly likely that the first shots in that war will occur cyber domain not in the physical world,” Senator Paterson said.
Former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr says the United States relationship with China is focused on dominance, leadership and primacy.
“Mind your own business” – it’s the stinging message to the West from China’s defence minister.
Li Shangfu told a security conference that China has “one of the best peace records” among major countries.
He lashed out at the so-called rules-based system. Asking – “who made the rules?”
The world is watching China amidst heightened international anxiety.
But while China’s Defence minister says Beijing’s preference is “peaceful unification” with Taiwan, he added that China will never “promise to renounce the use of force.”
Delegates from the Philippines, Vietnam, the Netherlands, the United States and Germany asked about the “apparent disconnect between China’s words and actions”.
But in some of those countries, there is growing concern about America’s increasing level of unpredictability.
Australia’s former Foreign minister Bob Carr is concerned that Canberra had mismanaged the relationship with America under successive governments. #featured #world #china