COP28 in Dubai from November 30: What's on the agenda?

COP28 places nature, people, lives, and livelihoods at the core of climate action. (Image courtesy: https://www.state.gov/climate-crisis/cop-28/)

As the world prepares for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) at the UN Climate Change Conference (UNCC) set to take place in Dubai, UAE, from November 30 to December 12, 2023, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the agenda spans a range of initiatives - from reducing emissions, fast-tracking the energy transition, to investing in clean energy and funding developing nations.

The UAE, as the host nation, outlines a visionary path across four essential pillars, each playing a critical role in shaping global climate action.

Firstly, an urgent call to mitigate emissions and fast-track the energy transition resonates as a central theme. Second, the UAE advocates for the delivery of old promises and the creation of a new financial framework to elevate climate finance commitments. Third, COP28 places nature, people, lives, and livelihoods at the core of climate action. Lastly, the UAE calls for inclusivity, urging active participation from diverse groups such as women, indigenous peoples, youth, and local communities.

The key themes of the COP28 agenda focused on addressing the pressing challenges of the climate crisis include:

Mitigation - Paving the way for a greener tomorrow

• COP28 prioritizes emission mitigation strategies to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C.
• Focuses on a just energy transition, aligning with the Paris Agreement and striving for a fossil fuel-free energy system by mid-century.

• COP28 President advocates for an inevitable phasing down of fossil fuels to combat rising temperatures.
• Calls for collective action to cut 22 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions in seven years, emphasizes a transition to clean energy and invites countries to pledge their commitment to tripling global renewables capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030.

• A critical aspect of COP28's agenda is addressing loss and damage caused by climate impacts.
• The summit emphasizes the urgency of establishing a new fund to swiftly respond to these challenges.
• Avoiding prolonged governance discussions, COP28 calls for immediate action, encouraging early pledges to ensure timely financial support to affected communities.

• Highlights the need for transparent and substantial financial commitments to accelerate global climate action.
• Urges developed nations to fulfill promises, advocating for increased grant and concessional finance, including a robust second replenishment of the Green Climate Fund.

• COP28 acknowledging the inadequacy of the current climate finance system, emphasizes the need for governments to present policy incentives to involve the private sector actively.
• Calls for bigger and better international finance institutions (IFIs), urging them to scale up concessional finance for adaptation and a just transition.

• COP28 recognizes the changing landscape of lives and livelihoods due to climate change.
• The agenda is designed to elevate themes of resilience, adaptation, and prevention of loss and damage, especially in crucial sectors like nature, food, water, and health.

• Inclusivity remains at the heart of COP28, aiming to elevate and support diverse leadership.
• The summit underscores the importance of engaging with women, indigenous people, youth, and other key stakeholders, and recognise their invaluable contributions to a just transition.