- Dubai takes the spotlight by hosting COP28 – pivotal UN climate change discussions to urgently slash emissions within this decade.
- From November 30th to December 12th, 2023, over 70,000 global delegates are anticipated to gather.
COP28 commences in Dubai
COP28 has officially kicked off from 30th November and is scheduled to continue till 12th December, 2023.
Known as the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UNFCCC, it is being hosted by the United Arab Emirates.
Since its founding in 1971, the UAE has championed global climate initiatives.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Change has been appointed as the COP28 President.
The primary focus of COPs is to collectively address the climate crisis, striving for objectives like limiting global temperature increase, supporting vulnerable communities in adapting to climate change effects, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Importance of COP28
The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference is crucial, as it serves as the primary global decision-making platform on climate issues, involving nearly every nation.
COP28 presents a pivotal opportunity to explore worldwide strategies aimed at restraining the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.
The most recent findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations emphasize the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030.
Furthermore, the conference aims to expedite the ongoing green transition and ultimately ensure the fulfillment of the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Topics of discussion at COP28
In a correspondence addressed to the parties in July 2023, the Incoming Presidency outlined four central paradigm shifts that are to be the focal points of COP28:
- Expediting the energy transition and reducing emissions significantly;
- Overhauling climate finance by fulfilling previous commitments and establishing the groundwork for a fresh agreement on finance;
- Placing nature, people, lives, and livelihoods at the core of climate action;
- Rallying for the most inclusive COP in history.
Moreover, COP28 marks the conclusion of the inaugural global stocktake.
During this conference, governments will make decisions regarding the global stocktake, which can be utilized to enhance ambition in their upcoming climate action plans scheduled for completion by 2025.
The global stocktake not only highlighted areas with slow progress but also showcased a broad spectrum of tools and solutions proposed by countries.
COP28 needs to be a proactive conference, where countries demonstrate how these tools will be effectively deployed in the crucial next two years, urgently accelerating the pace of climate action.
Who is attending?
COP28 anticipates over 70,000 attendees from 200 countries, coming together to discuss the future of climate change policy.
Delegates will span diverse groups beyond just the nearly 200 member states party to the UN’s foundational climate accord.
Business heads, youth activists, top scientists, indigenous groups, press members, and other stakeholders will converge to share expertise across sectors.
Over a hundred world leaders are anticipated to unite for the United Nations’ annual climate summit, spanning days.
Some of the prominent figures include,
- Britain’s King Charles III
- United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
- Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
- Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
- Former CEO of Microsoft Bill Gates
Though views may vary, the goal remains to secure collaborative action to address intensifying environmental threats through equitable climate action.
Closing
While providing critical facilities and services, COP28 represents an opportunity for the UAE to cement its legacy as a regional leader bridging gaps on the defining crisis of our time.
The nation’s youth also stand to benefit from expanded opportunities and capabilities as a result of knowledge-sharing around next-generation technologies.
“We need a human face on climate change. We as decision-makers must always have at the front of our minds whom we are here for and why and we must raise ambition every year.” – Her Excellency, Reem Al Hashimy – UAE’s Minister of International Cooperation said at COP28.
Fun fact: The first UNFCCC Conference of the Parties took place from 28 March to 7 April 1995 in Berlin, Germany.
