COP28 kicks off in Dubai: Urgent calls for climate action

UAE – The United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP28, has commenced with a resounding call to expedite collective climate action.

This gathering transpires amidst the backdrop of what is already denoted as the hottest year ever recorded in human history. The impacts of the climate crisis have unleashed unprecedented havoc on human lives and livelihoods globally.

Running from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), COP28 represents a pivotal juncture to uphold climate commitments and avert the direst consequences of climate change. The UAE holds the presidency for COP28, with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber leading this year’s proceedings.

This edition of COP marks the culmination of the ‘global stocktake,’ serving as the primary assessment of global progress in implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Alarming findings indicate that the world is off-track in curtailing temperature rise to 1.5°C by the century’s end. While acknowledging nations’ initiatives towards achieving a net-zero future and the escalating transition to clean energy, it’s apparent that the pace of this transformation falls significantly short of the required momentum to cap warming within existing ambitions.

A recent report by UN Climate Change underscores that national climate action plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), would collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a mere 2% below 2019 levels by 2030, far below the essential 43% reduction stipulated by scientific consensus.

The global stocktake assumes a critical role in stimulating greater ambition in alignment with the Paris Agreement’s objectives.

Nations are poised to submit revised national climate action plans by 2025, charting pathways to expedite emissions cuts, fortify resilience against climate impacts, and furnish requisite support and finance for this transformation.

“Over 160 world leaders are converging on Dubai because only collaborative efforts among nations can place humanity back in this race,” emphasized Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change.

“Yet, COP28 must transcend symbolism; leaders must deliver—a clear message. As leaders depart Dubai post the opening summit, their mandate to negotiators should be unequivocal: secure a deal that ushers in substantial change.”

The fulcrum of this transformation lies in climate finance. Replenishing the Green Climate Fund, augmenting financial resources for adaptation, and operationalizing the loss and damage fund assumes paramount importance in pursuing the 1.5°C goal while ensuring an inclusive approach.

“The reality is, without a significant surge in finance directed to developing nations, the mirage of a renewables revolution persists. COP28 must transform this illusion into a reality,” Stiell reiterated.

Countries agree to operationalize the loss and damage fund

Meanwhile, nations have reached an agreement on the specifics of operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund, a crucial mechanism to compensate low-income countries for the unadaptable impacts of climate change.

Adoption of the Loss and Damage fund narrative was first done during COP27 in the year 2022 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

The COP 27 agreement became operational shortly after Al Jaber was installed to officially lead

Parties reached this agreement during the initial five transitional committee meetings at Dubai-Expo City, where ongoing global climate change discussions on addressing the crisis are being held.

After the agreement, the UAE announced a commitment of US$100 million to the Loss and Damage Fund, setting the stage for other developed nations to make pledges.

Dr. Al Jaber urged nations to emulate the UAE’s example and promptly allocate resources to the Fund, emphasizing the need for ambitious multilateral action.

“What was pledged in Sharm El Sheikh has already been delivered in Dubai,” Dr. Al Jaber remarked. “The expeditious collaboration to operationalize this Fund within a year of its agreement in Sharm El Sheikh is unprecedented.”

According to the President of COP28, taking decisive action on Loss and Damage will enable Parties to focus on the most robust response to the Global Stocktake, essentially the world’s report card on progress toward Paris Agreement objectives.

“This Fund will aid billions of people, safeguarding lives and livelihoods particularly vulnerable to climate change effects,” Dr. Sultan highlighted.

“I extend my gratitude to my team for their tremendous efforts in achieving this on day one of COP28. It demonstrates the world’s capability to unite, act, and deliver. Throughout the next two weeks, this Presidency will collaborate with Parties to achieve the most ambitious response to the GST.”

Among other notable commitments, Germany pledged US$100 million, the UK allocated £40 million (US$50.59m) for the Fund and an additional £20 million (US$25.30m) for other arrangements, Japan contributed US$10 million, and the U.S. committed US$17.5 million.

While many stakeholders have applauded this initiative, concerns have been raised regarding the implementation of these commitments, emphasizing the need for a clear implementation plan.

Certain Civil Society Organizations have suggested that the announcement may be aimed at appeasing various stakeholders and diverting discussions away from finding a solution to the Climate Change crisis.

They advocate for developed countries to cease fossil fuel usage, a major contributor to atmospheric carbon gas, leading to global warming and adverse climate effects.

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