COP28: What to expect
This year COP28 will convene from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It will be a two-week-long series of conferences, talks and negotiations.
COP28, which stands for Conference of the Parties, refers to a gathering of 197 states and one regional economic organization. These entities are signatories of the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which serves as the foundational agreement for the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Taking place at the end of a year projected to be the hottest on record, 2023 has been marked not only by burning temperatures but also by international conflicts, economic challenges and natural disasters. This not as easy time indeed.
At the heart of the COP there are the negotiations among governments, determining the extent of their collaboration and the new commitments they are willing to make.
The COP28 conference will bring together more than 70,000 people and will witness the convergence of numerous influential and powerful leaders from around the world. Alongside the conference, as usual, there will be an area called the “green zone“: climate-related exhibits and events accessible to both businesses and the general public.
Where we left off
During last year’s COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, significant progresses were made in addressing Loss and Damage, as a new fund dedicated to reimburse countries that have suffered the most from climate change. At COP28, the emphasis will be on operationalizing this fund.
Essential inquiries, such as identifying the funding source, establishing eligibility criteria for support, and defining the procedures for accessing funds, require careful considerations and resolutions.
What to expect
COP28 will delve into a wide array of topics, ranging from phasing out fossil fuels and the acceleration of renewable energy adoption, to strategies on how to support the world’s most vulnerable countries against the impacts of climate change. There is much to be discussed and considered during the conference.
Many hope for significant outcomes, including:
- Tripling renewable energy capacity;
- Doubling energy efficiency;
- Achieving clean power by 2030;
- Phasing out all fossil fuels, with a clear time frame aligned to the 1.5 C Paris limit.
Controversies
There are two types of disputes that have been arisen this year:
- COP28 is being hosted by the UAE, a significant oil-exporting nation, which is has no intention of giving too much space to the Phase Out promises.
- The role of Sultan Al Jaber, the president of the COP28 negotiations, who is also the chief executive of Dubai’s National Oil Company, which entails an obvious conflict of interest.
Concerns have been raised that those two points may impact the agenda of the climate conference and potentially impede relevant progresses ahead. But experts would be pleasantly surprised if these were a sign of change, even from a country that is very tied to carbon fossil.
Conclusion
COPs generate a significant amount of political and media attention, serving as a focal point for discussions on climate change, which is always very important. Last but not least, these conferences provide an opportunity for countries vulnerable to climate change to directly engage with major emitter nations, which it doesn’t happen very often.
However, given the urgency for climate actions, what happens at COP may appear a bit slow-paced. Besides, to be added to the complexity of the negotiations, there are the ongoing international crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, which will not simplify things.
The world stands by and waits for results.
Nvalue will be an attentive observer online, as we will follow the discussions and debates and we will report our views on what will be discussed during those 2 weeks. Stay tuned!