Do you recall the Oscar -winning speech of Leonardo Di Caprio? The one where he said, “Climate change is real. It is happening right now; it is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating.”
While Earth’s climate has changed throughout its history, the current warming is happening at a rate not seen in the past 10,000 years. Scientific information from natural sources (such as ice cores, rocks, and tree rings) and modern equipment (like satellites and instruments) show a changing climate. Evidence of a warming planet abounds, from rising global temperatures to melting ice sheets. The current warming trend is different because it is clearly the result of human activities since the mid-1800s. It is undeniable that we have produced the atmospheric gases that have trapped more of the Sun’s energy in the Earth’s system. This extra energy has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land and brought widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and biosphere.
Addressing the issue of climate change is of utmost importance for preserving our planet and the well-being of all its inhabitants. The far-reaching consequences on the environment, human health, economic stability, and social equality highlight the criticality of unified global efforts. Climate change transcends being a mere environmental concern; it is a multifaceted challenge that necessitates collaborative action, innovative solutions, and a collective dedication to sustainable practices. By actively reducing emissions, safeguarding biodiversity, and fostering international collaboration, we can chart a path towards a resilient, fair, and sustainable future for future generations.
In 1992, 197 countries joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to combat climate change by limiting average global temperature increases and the resulting climate change and coping with impacts that were, by then, inevitable. COP stands for Conference of the Parties. It is the biggest annual conference on climate crisis held by the United Nations. It sees representatives from hundreds of countries gather to agree on actions to tackle the climate crisis. The first COP (COP1) took place in Berlin in 1995, intending to agree on limiting global temperatures and strengthening the UNFCCC. Almost every year since then (apart from in 2020 due to COVID-19), countries have gathered to review progress compared with the latest climate science and set new commitments on preventing and adapting to the climate crisis. Some landmark commitments made during past COPs include Kyoto Protocol (COP3, Kyoto 1997), Paris Agreement (COP21, Paris 2015), Glasgow Climate Pact (COP26, Glasgow 2021), Loss and Damage Fund (COP27, Sharm el-Sheikh, 2022)
2023 is on track to be the hottest year on record, with July, August, September, and October all surpassing monthly records by substantial margins. Extreme weather has affected people around the globe: wildfires have devastated Canada, Hawaii, and Greece (among other locations). Torrential rain has caused flash flooding across China, the Philippines, and the African Great Lakes. The planet recorded its hottest average temperature, showing the world that we need to move faster in the fight against the climate crisis. Dubai hosted COP28 this year amid controversy, from the 30th of November to the 12th of December. Representatives from almost 200 nations convened there for the climate conference. The COP28 Presidency set out a plan of action focused on matching the highest ambition for negotiated outcomes with a robust action agenda to implement those ambitions in the real world. The Presidency called on governments and key climate stakeholders to take action in four areas:
Fast-track the energy;
Fix climate finance;
Focus on nature, people, lives, and livelihoods;
Full inclusivity.
Throughout the two-week schedule, each day’s programming incorporated four cross-cutting themes underpinning effective, interconnected delivery. Those were: Technology and innovation, Inclusion, Frontline Communities and Finance.
COP28 saw several vital steps forward in the fight against climate change despite criticisms and remaining challenges. Here are some of the specific achievements.
While not explicitly calling for a phase-out, the final agreement at COP28 marked a historic turning point by including the first-ever mention of the need to “reduce, minimise and avoid” fossil fuel use. This represents a significant shift in language and a potential pathway toward future agreements focused on phasing out these harmful fuels. COP28 delivered the first-ever global agreement to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas responsible for a significant portion of global warming, so this pledge offers a concrete step towards tackling this source of emissions. COP28 saw the establishment of a governance structure and operating procedures for the Loss and Damage Fund, which aims to support developing countries facing the effects of climate-related disasters. This vital mechanism provides much-needed resources for vulnerable communities already experiencing the consequences of climate change. COP28 agreed on a global goal for adaptation, outlining a long-term vision for building resilience to climate change impacts. This framework provides a roadmap for future action and emphasises the importance of adaptation alongside mitigation efforts. While still falling short of the needed scale, several countries and private entities made new financial commitments to support climate action in developing countries. These pledges contribute to increasing resources available for emissions reduction and adaptation efforts.
Why is COP still important?
Despite the actions delivered by the COP feeling frustratingly slow, it remains the most significant occasion when representatives from different countries come together to attempt to agree on meaningful action on the climate crisis. The event enables representatives on the frontline of the climate crisis, such as the Alliance of Small Island States threatened by rising sea levels, to address the world’s biggest emitters directly. Their arguments have been vital in increasing climate adaptation funding and agreeing on a loss and damage fund for climate-vulnerable nations. COP also serves as a focal point for mass demonstrations such as the International Day of Climate Action, which takes place mid-way through the conference. This brings together millions of protesters at events worldwide to demand urgent action against climate breakdown.
Good COP or bad COP?
The 28th annual UN climate conference was immersed in controversy long before any policymaker set foot on the inaugural day in Dubai. Hosting such a pivotal climate event in a historic petrostate raised significant questions about potential conflicts of interest. The selection of Dr Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, as the COP President fueled concerns. As the conference commenced, Al Jaber’s assertion that there is ‘no science’ supporting the phased reduction of fossil fuels to limit global warming to 1.5ºC starkly contradicted the findings presented by numerous climate experts in attendance.
The event in Dubai prompted speculation as to whether it was merely an elaborate exercise in greenwashing orchestrated by the fossil fuel industry or if genuine progress had been achieved. Disentangling the answer is intricate. COP revolves around achieving consensus on climate issues, a task impossible without including all stakeholders. Advocates argue that involving major polluters is essential, yet the extent of their presence at COP28 proved telling. Research by human rights NGO Global Witness revealed a record representation of the fossil fuel industry, with at least 2,456 individuals granted access, outnumbering indigenous communities—those most vulnerable to the immediate impacts of climate change—by a staggering seven to one. Despite efforts to hold COP accountable, particularly by young activists like 12-year-old Licipriya Kangujam, who seized the stage during COP28’s Director General Majid Al-Suwaidi’s speech to protest the lack of progress, it is evident that the ‘grown-ups’ still require the voices of the younger generation to underscore the urgency of the climate crisis.
Amidst the contentious debates at COP28, a noteworthy development was the commitment of 100 countries, including the UK, to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, as advocated by the International Renewable Energy Agency. However, the absence of signatures from China and India, two of the world’s largest economies, raised eyebrows, with opposition rooted in disagreements over anti-coal language and unsatisfactory financing details.
The heart of the conference discussions revolved around phrases like “phase down,” “phase out,” and “transition away” from fossil fuels. Activists and numerous nations entered COP28 with a singular objective: securing a global commitment to cease burning fossil fuels in the final Global Stocktake text. While the final text falls short of a resolute ‘phase out’ and even a ‘phase down,’ it historicises the call for a ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels, marking progress compared to previous agreements. Some argue that excessive attention to COP agreements might be misplaced, as demonstrated by the independent paths chosen by countries like India and China. The commitment to tripling renewables is undoubtedly a positive shift, given the economic superiority of renewables over fossil fuels. However, the final agreements at COP28 still harbour ambiguities and loopholes, falling short of providing the comprehensive climate finance developing nations urgently require. Nevertheless, the fact that global leaders convened in a nation whose economic foundation rests on fossil fuels and collectively agreed to transition away from burning them for the first time signals a directional shift toward a more sustainable future.
Like a maestro leading an orchestra, COP 28 reminds us that the fate of our planet rests in our hands, and the time for harmonious collaboration is now.
Author: Anika Tasnim
