Two facts loom over the United Nations climate conference that started this Thursday (30) in Dubai: the planet is heading towards a climate disaster and governments are acting far too slowly to avert the crisis.
Diplomats from nearly 200 countries and many heads of state are gathered to try to devise a plan to accelerate the global transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.
The two-week conference is held annually by the United Nations.
At last year’s meeting in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, nations agreed to establish a fund to help poor and vulnerable countries cope with climate disasters exacerbated by greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere by industrialized nations. However, little progress has been made in terms of reducing those emissions. The proposal to phase out fossil fuels was thwarted by countries that produce and use gas, oil, and coal. And Egypt, the host country, made side agreements at the meeting to sell natural gas to Europe.
This year, the United Arab Emirates, the fifth largest oil producer in the world, is hosting the climate talks. This has sparked anger among many activists, complicating negotiations. The conference is also taking place against a backdrop of geopolitical turmoil, including wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, making cooperation among nations even more difficult.
What do you need to know about the climate conference?
What is COP28?
COP stands for Conference of the Parties, with “parties” referring to the 197 nations that agreed to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992.
By signing this agreement, countries pledged to address “dangerous human interference with the climate system” and stabilize greenhouse gas emission levels in the atmosphere. The UN climate body gathers these governments once a year to discuss how to jointly tackle climate change.
This is the 28th time that countries have met under the convention, hence COP28.
When is COP28?
The conference officially takes place from November 30 to December 12. However, climate negotiations are notoriously contentious and often extend beyond the scheduled dates.
Where is COP28 happening?
The meeting is taking place at Expo City Dubai, an area described as a “mini-city centered on the future” connected to downtown Dubai by a rail transit system.
What is the goal of COP28?
The first is the so-called global stocktake. This is the first formal assessment of whether nations are on track to meet the goal set in Paris in 2015 to limit the increase in average global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.
Secondly, there is an expectation that nations will finalize the so-called “loss and damage” fund they agreed to create last year. Key issues to be resolved include who will contribute to the fund and who will have access to the money.
Finally, there is the political agreement that may emerge from the meeting. It is likely that nations will reach an agreement to replace polluting fossil fuels with clean energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Who will be at COP28?
More than 36,000 delegates – including negotiators, observers, and media – are expected to attend the event, according to the UN climate body. The UAE presidency has stated that it expects around 70,000 people to attend the events.
Hundreds of world leaders have confirmed their attendance, including King Charles III. The White House has announced that President Biden will not attend. Meanwhile, Brazilian President Lula is already in Dubai.
COP 30, in 2025, will be held in Belém, Pará. The 29th edition, in 2024, still does not have a defined host.
Source: The New York Times