This year’s United Nations summit on climate change is already beleaguered by division, debate and controversy as a growing number of environmental and political leaders express concern that the summit may fail to establish key decisions.
With looming net zero deadlines and the 1.5C limit in sight, the need for universal agreement on tackling climate change is vital, but heightening geopolitical tensions have clouded hopes for environmentally positive decisions being made at COP28. The choice to host COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, one of the world’s most prolific fossil states, has also been a point of contention.
Reflecting on this year’s progress
2022 saw important progress in the fight against climate change. Notably, the US unveiled its Inflation Reduction Act, channelling $369 billion in public spending and tax cuts into the US economy aiming to boost clean energy, support green infrastructure, and develop climate resilience.
In other news, Indigenous activists in Ecuador and the Philippines, praised for their commitment to environmental defence, were shortlisted for this year's Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of their work protecting nature and the rights of Indigenous people. Brazil’s newly elected president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, also committed to the protection and restoration of nature, leading a strong movement for reforestation in the Amazon rainforest and working towards zero deforestation.
Elsewhere, the EU recorded record lows in fossil fuel generation as several European countries, including Spain, the UK, Sweden, and Germany, reported record levels of renewable energy generation.
Despite this progress , a very significant commitment is largely absent from global climate policy – the phase out of fossil fuels.
What does COP28 need to achieve?
Established under Article 14 of the Paris Agreement, the first global stocktake (GST) assessing collective progress towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement began in 2022 and will be discussed at COP28.
Most importantly, COP28 will delve into the phase out of new coal, oil and gas which has long be identified as the principal driver of climate change. It should be acknowledged that some of the most positive climate policies of the past year, including the US's Inflation Reduction Act and Brazil's reforestation regime, came from the world's top fossil fuel producing countries.
This year’s COP president, Dr Sultan al-Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and chief executive of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, was a controversial choice to lead this year’s COP negotiations but has publicly recognised that the “phasedown” of fossil fuels is “inevitable” and “essential”.
COP28 will continue to build upon the flagship loss and damage fund agreed upon at COP27, a policy which sees established economies contribute financially towards the developing nations who suffer severe consequences of climate change. Talks at COP28 will need to operationalise this loss and damage fund, detailing how developed nations will be contributing and, more importantly, debating with the economic powerhouses who bear responsibilityfor the repercussions of climate change in developing nations.
Finally, the world’s food systems have received increased attention recently and are addressed as a matter of global security. The UN’s food and agriculture agenda will be a key topic at COP28 since food systems account for up to a third of all greenhouse gas emissions globally, and food supply has demonstrated itself to be a key tool of oppression amongst conflict and geopolitical tension. You can expect discussions to focus on fertiliser use, agricultural innovation, sustainable farming, and how to manage food systems in line with the 1.5C target.
COP28 takes place from 30 November – 12 December at Expo City, Dubai, and more details of the programme can be found here.
Green Economy will be reporting on the key findings of this year’s event, ensure you’re subscribed to our newsletter and following our social channels for the latest updates.
