COP28 Summit Dubai: A Comprehensive Preview of Key Agendas

COP28 Summit UAE: The 2023 United Nations Climate Summit (COP28) is set to kick off in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on November 30, lasting until December 12. Leaders from around the globe converging to address the escalating climate emergency.

COP28 Summit Dubai: 10 Key Aspects to Keep an Eye

1. Global Stocktake

The COP28 summit marks the conclusion of the global stocktake, a comprehensive review of countries’ efforts to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and shift to renewable energy sources. The synthesis report published in September highlighted a concerning deviation from the Paris Agreement targets. The discussions are expected to be influenced significantly by the report, emphasizing the urgent need for global action to limit global warming.

2. Food Security

A new partnership between the COP28 Presidency and the United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub focuses on leveraging food systems to achieve sustainable development goals and Paris Agreement targets. This initiative aims to secure commitments from Heads of State and governments attending COP28 to implement actions toward food systems, aligning with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAP) by 2025.

3. Loss and Damage Compensation

COP28 is poised to finalize details regarding the Loss and Damage (L&D) fund, addressing financial losses experienced by developing countries due to the climate crisis. The fund’s establishment, agreed upon at COP27 in 2022, aims to provide crucial support to nations grappling with environmental degradation. COP28 will determine the fund’s financial aspects and contributors.

4. Climate Finance

In addition to the L&D fund, COP28 will center on broader climate finance provisions. With developing countries requiring at least $200 billion annually by 2030 to adapt to climate impacts, discussions will revolve around fulfilling the unmet $100 billion per year pledge made by richer countries in 2009. Meeting these financial commitments is crucial for technology transfer and capacity-building efforts in climate mitigation.

5. Fossil Fuels

Anticipate strong language regarding the commitment to phasing out fossil fuels. The European Union is expected to advocate for a phased approach, while other nations may favor technology-driven emission reductions rather than a complete abandonment of fossil fuels. China, a major fossil fuel consumer, has signaled its intention to continue using them for decades.

6. The COP Presidency

Sultan al-Jaber, CEO of UAE’s state-owned oil company Adnoc, leads COP28. Concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest, as leaked reports suggest the UAE plans to leverage its role to strike oil and gas deals. Climate experts and activists worry about the alignment of Jaber’s position with the summit’s goals of reducing GHG emissions.

7. Carbon Capture and Storage

Discussion at COP28 will include the unabated use of fossil fuels, focusing on technologies to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions. While essential for emission reduction, concerns arise that this aspect might be exploited to perpetuate fossil fuel use. Striking a balance between technological solutions and emission reduction strategies will be crucial.

8. Clean Energy Capacity

Following a June 2023 pledge by the EU and COP28 presidency, discussions at COP28 will center on setting goals to triple global renewable energy capacity and double energy savings by 2030. This aligns with the commitment to shift away from unabated fossil fuels and embrace cleaner energy sources.

9. Health

The adverse health effects of the climate crisis, including heatwaves, floods, droughts, and intensified vector-borne diseases, will be a significant point of discussion at COP28. Leaders will address health concerns arising from global warming and strategize on mitigating the impact on human well-being.

10. Big Names

While notable figures such as U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping will be absent, the presence of influential leaders like U.K.’s King Charles, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Vatican leader Pope Francis, and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensures a high-profile gathering at COP28. Their contributions and commitments will shape the summit’s outcomes.