Amidst intensifying climate challenges, global leaders, climate diplomats, scientists, environmental champions, and civil society delegates will gather together at the annual UN Climate Change Conference which will take place between November 30 and December 12 in Dubai. This 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) will keep capping the global temperature rise at 1.5°C high on its agenda.
This 1.5°C target, agreed during the 2015 Paris Agreement by nearly 200 nations, is pivotal to averting severe climate impacts as warned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. However, the world’s temperature has already risen by approximately 1.1°C to 1.2°C from pre-industrial levels. With existing action, a deeply concerning 2.5°C increase is looming by 2100, and the window to reach the climate goals is “rapidly closing”, a UN report cautioned.
Limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C is crucial to reduce serious impacts such as extreme heatwaves and rising sea levels and the ability to preserve delicate ecological balance. Crossing this threshold could cause irreversible climate changes, triggering more frequent and severe weather events, ecosystem loss, and species extinction.
A higher temperature rise increases the risk of ‘tipping points’ which lead to a self-perpetuating cycle of warming. This includes polar ice caps melting, coastal areas being threatened, and Earth’s ability to reflect sunlight being disrupted, further escalating warming.
Moreover, increased temperatures can worsen social and economic inequalities, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable. Thus, keeping the temperature rise below 1.5°C is not simply about environmental protection but also involves safeguarding human society and future generations from the far-reaching consequences of unchecked climate change.
COP28 serves as a vital international forum under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), promoting global collaboration to curb carbon emissions. It builds on the foundation laid by the Paris Agreement to strengthen climate commitments and usher in a more sustainable and resilient future.
According to Chatham House, COP28 is important for several reasons, not least because it marks the conclusion of the first global stocktake, the main mechanism through which progress under the Paris Agreement is assessed.
Prioritizing climate action: Key agendas at COP28
COP28’s agenda includes a diverse set of priorities, reflecting the multifaceted nature of climate challenges. One core focus is to fast-track the transition to clean energy sources to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This endeavor has the potential to catalyze a substantial reduction in our carbon footprint.
Furthermore, COP28 is committed to ensuring that financial resources flow from wealthier to less affluent countries to support climate action. A new pact for developing nations is on the horizon, representing a concerted effort to address the climate financing gap and empower nations to address their climate challenges effectively.
In the face of an evolving climate landscape, improving adaptation and resilience strategies is paramount. COP28 will delve further into this to help communities to cope with the impacts of climate change, ranging from rising sea levels to more frequent and severe extreme weather events.
Promoting cooperation and innovation in low-carbon technologies and solutions is another important item on the agenda.
At the heart of COP28 lies discussions surrounding the reduction of emissions, with a particular focus on revising the goals that aim to diminish greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving net-zero emissions by the mid-century is a key aspiration, reinforcing the commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and curb global warming.
“This must be the year we course-correct. A strong outcome at COP 28 will support both climate action and the sustainability agenda,” UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell stated.
Attendees and anticipations
COP28 will convene delegates from the nearly 200 nations that are the signatories to the UNFCCC comprising heads of state, government officials, ministers, negotiators, experts, and civil society observers. The event is set to host an extensive assembly of over 80,000 participants, including 140 heads of state and government.
While invitations have been extended to more than 200 governments, attendance by the leaders of nations such as the US, China, and India remain as yet unconfirmed. Notably, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles have confirmed their participation, with King Charles slated to deliver an opening address to delegates on December 1.
In addition to government representatives, the summit will incorporate diverse stakeholders including businesses, investors, regional representatives, indigenous communities, youth, and the media who will engage in a range of events and activities designed to showcase their climate-related actions and initiatives.
Previous COP meetings have achieved notable milestones, such as the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, as well as more recent successes such as the breakthrough agreement at COP27 to establish a new loss and damage fund to help developing countries to cope with the impacts of climate change.
However, COP meetings have also faced challenges and setbacks. One of the biggest failures is that global greenhouse gas emissions have continued to rise since the first COP. This is because many countries have not met their commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. Another failure of the COP is that it has been difficult to reach a consensus on key issues, such as finance and technology transfer, due to the different interests and priorities of the parties.
