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Why was COP28 taking place?
Before coming to the above question, it is important to know what COP28 is. COP (abbreviated as "Conference of the Parties") is an annual conference where the representatives of the world come together and agree on ways to address the climate crisis, The countries that are part of this are the ones who signed the original UN climate agreement in the year 1992.
Climate Change has been an issue which is world concern for a long time. At a large UN meeting in Dubai, world leaders have been debating how to address the same issue that concerns the world. The 28th annual United Nations (UN) climate meeting, COP28, is where governments discuss ways to limit and prepare for future climate change.
The summit was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from November 30 to December 12, 2023, but it ran late. The summit came after a year of extreme weather events that saw many climate records broken.
COP28 is hoped to keep the goal of achieving the limit of global temperature to 1.5C in the long term. A goal that was agreed by nearly 200 countries in the Paris Agreement in the year 2015.
(According to the UN's climate body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the 1.5C target is critical for avoiding the most damaging effects of climate change.)
Why were fossils a concern?
Fossil fuels, including oil, natural gas, and coal, contribute significantly to climate change as their combustion for energy releases greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, which contribute to the warming of the planet.
UAE being one of the top 10 oil-producing nations in the world appointed Sultan-al-jaber as the COP28 Summit’s president.
Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber is an Emirati politician who is the minister of industry and advanced technology of the United Arab Emirates head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and chairman of Masdar.
As per BBC News, Mr Jaber's oil company is expected to expand production this decade rapidly.
Mr Jaber stated that he was uniquely placed to press the oil and gas industry for action.
He stated that as chairman of the renewable energy firm Masdar, he oversaw the expansion of clean technologies such as wind and solar power.
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Key Points from the COP28 Conference
Thank you to everyone who made COP28 possible.
— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) December 13, 2023
We united. We acted. We delivered. pic.twitter.com/SBJSMSpjbC
Sultan al-Jaber, the President of COP28, commended the climate agreement ratified by almost 200 nations on Wednesday, hailing it as a "historic package" with a "robust plan" to uphold the 1.5 degrees Celsius target.
Milestone Fossil Fuel Accord: The closure of COP28 featured a groundbreaking agreement among nearly 200 countries to initiate the reduction of global fossil fuel consumption, signifying a substantial stride towards the eventual conclusion of the era of oil.
Financial Support for Climate Damage: The summit commenced with the establishment of a long-anticipated fund aimed at aiding low-income nations in covering climate-induced damages, addressing a crucial facet of climate justice.
Net Zero Commitments: Countries such as Canada and Belgium announced more ambitious net zero targets than previously outlined, while Dubai committed to a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030.
Transition to Clean Energy: COP28 placed a significant focus on expediting the shift to clean energy sources to substantially decrease greenhouse gas emissions before 2030.
Climate Finance Pledges: There was a united effort to secure financial backing for climate action from wealthier nations to developing countries, with discussions on a new deal for the latter.
Advancements in Paris Agreement Goals: The summit aimed to make headway towards the established goals of the Paris Agreement, emphasizing the reduction of both fossil fuel consumption and production in an equitable manner.
Contributions to Global Climate Funds: National governments and organizations made commitments to climate finance, supporting funds like the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, and others.
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Plea from a 12-year-old Indian Girl
My interview with @BBCWorld News yesterday. pic.twitter.com/Oryl6Phbrt
— Licypriya Kangujam (@LicypriyaK) December 13, 2023
Licypriya Kangujam, a 12-year-old climate activist from Manipur, garnered applause from the audience as she displayed a sign reading 'End fossil fuels. Save our planet and our future' at COP28 in Dubai.
Even as she was escorted away, Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, the Director-General of COP28, reportedly expressed admiration for the enthusiasm displayed by young participants at the event.
Calls from environmentalists for a comprehensive COP28 deal that explicitly outlines the phasing out of fossil fuels have intensified. Activists have voiced disappointment over the draft deal released by the UNFCCC on December 11, which notably lacked any mention of a 'fossil fuel phase-out.'
Originally scheduled to conclude on December 12, the UN climate summit faced delays due to disagreements among nations regarding including the fossil fuel phase-out in the final text. Additionally, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) urged its member countries to abstain from endorsing a deal that emphasizes the phase-out of fossil fuels, contributing to COP28's extension beyond its initially planned duration.
National Representatives at COP28
There were about 200 national representatives at the COP28 Summit.
The beginning of the summit was attended by world leaders including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and India's Narendra Modi.
While US President Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping were absent, their countries were well-represented at COP28.
King Charles delivered the opening address, cautioning against the "vast, frightening experiment" humanity is conducting on the planet. Pope Francis canceled his visit due to illness, with a message advocating for an end to fossil fuels in his absence.
The conference, hosting nearly 100,000 attendees, marked the largest climate gathering to date. Notably, 2,400 individuals linked to coal, oil, and gas industries participated, highlighting concerns about the impact of fossil fuel groups.
The COP28 agreement's draft text faces widespread criticism for its perceived "weak" stance on the future of fossil fuels.
Currently, no obligation exists for countries to cut fossil fuel production, with the text merely suggesting potential actions like expanding wind and solar power. Despite advocacy from groups like the US, UK, EU, and climate-vulnerable nations for a "phase-out" agreement, opposition persists.
Debate also surrounds whether this pertains to all coal, oil, and gas or only "unabated" fuels. Climate campaigners argue that limiting the scope to "unabated" fuels may permit ongoing production without emission capture guarantees.
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