The COP 28, the UN climate conference that took place in Dubai in 2023, was one of the most anticipated and controversial events of the year. The summit brought together nearly 200 countries and thousands of stakeholders to discuss and decide on the global response to the climate crisis. The conference was expected to deliver on the promises made in the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.
So, what were the main outcomes, challenges and prospects of COP 28? Let’s take a look at some of the highlights and lowlights of the summit.
The good
One of the most significant agreements reached at COP 28 was the establishment of a loss and damage fund, which aims to provide financial support to developing countries that are suffering from the impacts of climate change. The fund was created after years of negotiations and pressure from the most vulnerable nations, especially the small island states, which are facing the existential threat of sea level rise, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss. The fund was welcomed as a sign of solidarity and recognition of the historical responsibility of the developed countries, which have contributed the most to the greenhouse gas emissions.
Another important agreement was the pledge by 119 countries to triple their renewable energy capacity by 2030, which would reduce global emissions by 7.7 gigatons of CO2 equivalent. This pledge was part of the High Ambition Coalition for Clean Energy Transition, which was launched by Denmark and Ethiopia, and joined by major economies such as the UK, Germany, France, Japan, and Canada. The coalition also committed to phase out coal and end fossil fuel subsidies, which are estimated to be worth $5.9 trillion per year globally.
Additionally, 51 oil and gas companies committed to decarbonize their operations by 2050, aligning with the Paris Agreement goals. The companies, which represent 30% of the global oil and gas production, signed the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI), which sets out a roadmap for reducing emissions, increasing efficiency, investing in low-carbon technologies, and supporting carbon pricing and regulation. The OGCI was seen as a positive step towards engaging the private sector in the climate action process, as well as a recognition of the need to diversify and transform the energy industry.
The bad
Despite the progress made at COP 28, there were also many areas of concern and criticism. One of the most controversial aspects of the summit was the choice of the host country, the UAE, which is one of the world’s top oil producers and has a poor record on human rights and environmental protection. The president of COP 28, Sultan Al Jaber, who is also the CEO of the state-owned oil company, faced backlash for his remarks that there was “no science” indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels was needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Many civil society groups and activists accused the UAE of greenwashing and undermining the credibility and integrity of the summit.
Moreover, many civil society groups and activists expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of ambition and urgency shown by the major emitters, especially the US, China, India and Russia, which did not announce any new or enhanced climate targets at COP 28. These four countries alone account for more than 55% of the global emissions, and their actions are crucial for achieving the Paris Agreement goals. However, they failed to demonstrate any leadership or commitment to the global climate response, and instead opted for vague and non-binding statements that fell short of the expectations and demands of the scientific community and the public.
The future
COP 28 was seen as a crucial moment to assess the implementation of the Paris Agreement and to prepare for the next round of national climate plans, which are due by 2025. The summit also aimed to build momentum and trust for the upcoming COP 29 in South Africa in 2024, which is expected to be a decisive point for the global climate response. The main expectations for the future are that the countries will deliver on their promises and increase their ambition and action, that the climate finance gap will be closed and the loss and damage fund will be operationalized, that the social and environmental justice dimensions of climate change will be prioritized, and that the voices and visions of the most affected and marginalized groups will be heard and respected.
The COP 28 was not a complete failure, but it was not a success either. It was a mixed bag of achievements and disappointments, of hope and frustration, of action and inaction. The climate crisis is not waiting for us to catch up, and neither are the millions of people who are already suffering from its consequences. We need to act now, and act together, to ensure a safe and prosperous future for ourselves and the generations to come.
