With the clock ticking down on irreversible climate change, world leaders, scientists and delegates from 200 different countries kick off COP27 in Egypt. With tensions high and stakes even higher, all eyes have fallen on COP27.

“Greenhouse gas emissions keep growing. Global temperatures keep rising. And our planet is fast approaching tipping points that will make climate chaos irreversible,” United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said.

With leading climate scientists urging action over debate and the COP27 kicking off with an agreement to discuss compensation for developing nations affected by climate change has set a positive tone in the resort port town of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

With a major focus on water, COP27 is set to institute action on water adaptation and resiliency programs. Among other targets, COP27 hopes to address vital issues from reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonizing high-emitting industries to financing climate action in developing countries.

Universal challenges including record high fuel prices, increased greenhouse gas concentrations and an increasing energy crisis, the conference hopes to secure solidarity between nations to fulfill the promises made in the Paris Agreement.

Johan Rockström, the director of Potsdam institute of climate impact research, has been a vocal advocate and researcher for climate research for years. He is pushing for climate stakeholders to reposition their stance from promises and agreements to real action.

“Many pledges were made in Glasgow [at COP26],” Rockström said. “Don’t debate those pledges anymore. Deliver. Now is the time to be accountable – it’s time to report back.”