Global climate conferences have almost always been accompanied by a big, vocal activist presence. But this November’s COP27, in Sharm el-Sheikh, might look and sound rather different.
Over the past decade, Egypt, the host country, has all but banned protest and cracked down on independent civil society action, as it has become increasingly autocratic. This has led to scepticism among international and local NGOs about whether they will be able to participate in discussions, let alone effectively influence proceedings.
Senior Egyptian officials have promised that, in this instance at least, protest will be permitted. In May, foreign minister Sameh Shoukry pledged to have “a facility adjacent to the conference centre that will provide [activists] the full opportunity of participation, of activism, of demonstration, of voicing that opinion”. But, while some Egyptian activists say government engagement in the run-up to COP has been better than they have ever experienced, many feel it is still insufficient and has mostly come from less powerful parts of government.