Climate Diplomacy Is Even More Fraught in the Coronavirus Age
A virtual climate conference suffered from frustrating technical glitches, but there was broad agreement that the moment is ripe for action.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is seen on a screen during a video conference of the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin on April 28, 2020.
Photographer: Michael Kappeler/AFP via Getty ImagesIf the first high-profile climate summit of the pandemic era—organized via remote video by the German government on Tuesday—is a test-case for virtual diplomacy, the months ahead will bring plenty of goodwill speeches and technical gaffes. But the event offered few clues as to the world's ability to move forward with climate action during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Although the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, typically held in Berlin, is traditionally on the smaller side of international climate gatherings, the postponement of the United Nations’ COP26 climate conference in Glasgow and other major events due to the coronavirus outbreak raised its stature. Environment ministers from over 30 nations, UN officials, nonprofits, businesses and local authorities met for two days with their offices, living rooms, and gardens as background. As governments prepare to unveil trillion-dollar packages to save and stimulate economies after the virus lockdowns, most officials at the conference spoke about the need to tackle both global health and the climate crisis.