BY ALEX BALUKU
Baluku, an Environmental and Climate Journalist and Editor from Uganda, is currently reporting from the United States of America. With a sharp focus on global affairs and a dedication to providing insightful coverage of UN activities, Baluku offers a distinctive perspective in the realm of international journalism.
NEW YORK, NOV 28, 2023 – As global temperatures surge to unprecedented levels, the world turns its attention to the United Arab Emirates, where leaders from around the globe are gathering for COP28, the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This crucial summit, taking place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, is a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against climate change.
Understanding COP and Its Significance
The COP conferences are annual large-scale gatherings at the government level, focused on climate action. The term “COP” stands for the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC, which came into force in 1994 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. With near-universal membership from 198 countries, the UNFCCC sets the stage for these conferences. The Paris Agreement, an extension of the UNFCCC adopted in 2015, aims to limit the global average temperature rise to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit the rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
COP28 in Dubai is expected to host over 60,000 attendees, including delegates from UNFCCC member states, industry leaders, youth activists, indigenous community representatives, journalists, and other stakeholders. This gathering is a critical juncture for global climate action.
The Road to COP28: A Global Stocktake
The last COP, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in November 2022, shifted the focus to implementation. Now, at COP28, countries are not only expected to agree on stronger climate actions but also demonstrate how they plan to achieve them. This marks a turning point in the ongoing effort to address the climate crisis.
COP28 represents the culmination of a process called the “Global Stocktake,” initiated at COP26 in Glasgow. This assessment will provide a reality check on the progress made in tackling the climate crisis and highlight the need for a course correction. The first global stocktake will conclude in Dubai, guiding countries toward more ambitious and accelerated climate action plans.
Why COP28 Is of Paramount Importance
The urgency of COP28 stems from the escalating climate crisis and the need for decisive action. Since COP21 in 2015, subsequent conferences focused on implementing the Paris Agreement’s key goal. COP28 is expected to go beyond outlining “what” actions will be taken and shift the emphasis to “how” these actions will be delivered.
The stakes are incredibly high, with the health of our planet and humanity’s well-being hanging in the balance. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during a visit to Antarctica ahead of COP28, warned of the “sleeping giant” awakening due to climate chaos. Antarctic sea ice is at an all-time low, signaling catastrophic consequences worldwide.
Over a century of fossil fuel burning and unsustainable energy and land use has already led to a global warming of 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels. The consequences include an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, flooding, storms, and irreversible climate changes. The year 2023 is on track to be the hottest on record, with the past eight years ranking as the eight warmest globally.
Guterres sounded the alarm, stating that if nothing changes, the world is headed towards a 3°C temperature rise, creating a dangerous and unstable world. Almost half of the world’s population lives in regions highly vulnerable to climate change, and the least developed, landlocked, and small island countries are on the frontlines, dealing with deadly consequences despite contributing little to the crisis.
Stronger Climate Action: A Dire Necessity
To address the crisis, the UN Secretary-General emphasizes the need for dramatic and immediate climate action. The science is clear: limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C is still possible, but it requires a 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, achieving global net-zero emissions by 2050, a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, and increased investments in adaptation and resilience.
The UNFCCC’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs) synthesis report, released in November, reveals a stagnation in global ambition over the past year. National climate plans are misaligned with the science, presenting a clear gap in addressing the climate crisis. COP28 is seen as a critical opportunity to bridge this gap and accelerate climate action.
United Arab Emirates’ Role as Host Country
Each year, a different country hosts the COP conferences, and in 2023, the United Arab Emirates has taken on this responsibility. Dr. Sultan al-Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology for the UAE, will preside over the negotiations at COP28. The UAE’s presidency focuses on four key areas: fast-tracking the energy transition, transforming climate finance, prioritizing nature and people in climate action, and ensuring an inclusive COP.
Contributing to the Global Fight Against Climate Change
COP28 comes at a crucial juncture, nearly eight years after the Paris Agreement. With COP28 being halfway through the 2030 Agenda, it provides an opportune moment to accelerate climate action. The summit is expected to encourage countries to raise ambition, set new targets, and exceed existing policies and commitments. With the fate of the planet hanging in the balance, the COP28 conference in Dubai is a decisive moment to turn climate plans into ambitious action and turn the tide against the climate crisis.
