At climate summit, rich countries consider reparations for developing nations

The United Nations annual climate summit is underway in Egypt where global leaders will be discussing climate goals over the next two weeks.

After intense talks and growing pressure, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and other leaders agreed to discuss the controversial topic of “loss and damage,” reparations for poor countries on the front lines of climate change.

For the first time in the summit’s history, global leaders of the developed countries responsible for most of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions will discuss compensation for poor countries shouldering the burden of climate change.

While some say the prospect of “loss and damage” talks at this year’s summit is promising for developing nations, they have been burned before. A 2009 pledge from industrialized countries to provide $100 billion annually for adaptation and mitigation has never been met.

“There’s a recognition that we need to help everybody adapt to climate change, especially those who didn't necessarily create the problem and will suffer the most from the consequences,” said Robyn Camp, the energy and climate associate director at RTI International.

China and the U.S. are two of the biggest greenhouse gas polluters. Last year’s global emissions of carbon dioxide and methane surpassed records.

“We are not on track to be where science tells us we need to be to avoid the very worst effects of climate change,” Camp said.

A flood of reports warn that the world is falling far short of the energy overhaul needed to keep the global temperature rise from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius, a Paris agreement goal.

With countries’ current promises, the earth’s temperature is projected to climb above 2 degrees Celsius by 2100, a figure that scientists say could have dire consequences.

However, there has been some progress toward climate change goals. Adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles is surging worldwide and helping to offset the rise in fossil fuel emissions.

In the U.S. this year, solar and wind are expected to add more than 60% capacity to the power grid.