Highlights of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Dubai
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The Conference of the Parties (COP)
Introduction
In the fight against climate change, one of the most important international conferences is the Conference of the Parties (COP). As an important part of the UNFCCC, it gives countries the chance to join and plan how best to achieve the targets related to problems like adaptation and mitigation the world faces in the form of climate change.
The Foundation and Purpose of COP
The main purpose of the Conference of the Parties (COP) is to unite all countries in the fight against climate change by promoting international cooperation and establishing goals and procedures for accomplishing these goals. The UNFCCC gave its approval for COP to be established in 1992. The yearly Conference of Parties (COP) sessions offer an environment for discussion on how to effectively promote environmentally friendly behaviors among member governments, observer organizations, stakeholders, and world leaders.
Key Agreements and Milestones in COP
The participating countries hold excellent talks at these conferences on several important issues, such as lowering greenhouse gas emissions, improving resilience to impacts of climate change, funding the efforts to protect the environment, technology transfer, and so on; the distribution of funds has already been decided.
An important moment in the history of the COP framework happened at COP21 in 2015 with the adoption of the Paris Agreement. To keep the increase below 1.5 degrees Celsius, it codified commitments made by almost all countries to limit global warming to levels around 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. In the fight against global warming, this historic agreement is an important turning point. One of the aspects of this agreement that is especially highlighted is nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which are the objectives and actions that every country takes on to fight climate change.
Besides, the primary agreement sessions, other activities that are discussed there include forums, side events, workshops, and exhibitions. To promote ideas, share knowledge, and build connections in the fields of climate resilience and sustainable development, they offer an environment for non-state actors, businesses, academic institutions, and civil organizations.
COP's Evolution
The path from increased concern to expanding consensus has been the history of COP. It is also very quickly exposing a truth that concerns countries all around the world that if we do not act in coordination for our common goals, which are growing more significant and urgent by the day, the situation that worries us the most will happen. The COP is still the organization that rises to the surface with hope as the world's issues repeat and get more severe. This international conference is more focused on encouraging collaboration between nations, building consensus, and deliberation than any other.
Leaders gather here to talk about important matters like climate change, building a northeastern region together that does not exclude future generations is known as global utopia.
COP 28
The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP2) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) happened from 30 November to 12th of December 2023. It was a major international event. Approximately 190 countries came to debate and attempt to resolve the climate challenges.
Key Focus Areas:
Monitoring the energy transition quickly: This means limiting the uses of fossil fuels as much as possible and moving toward clean energy sources like wind and solar energy.
Financial transformation for climate change: Providing funding to countries that are developing was the main objective of COP28 to help them reduce the impacts of climate change and build resilience to it.
Nature as the main aspect: Since biodiversity and ecosystems are so important for controlling climate change, protecting them was the main goal of the discussion.
Organizing for Diversity: It was stressed that all parties involved, particularly vulnerable groups and indigenous tribes, must be represented and included in the process.
Major Outcomes:
International Stock Take: A framework was developed for assessing the overall progress made toward the goals of the Paris Agreement and to identify areas in need of more action.
Increasing Efficiency and Renewables: To encourage an immediate shift away from fossil fuels, targets for renewable energy were tripled, and targets for energy efficiency were doubled.
Global Adaptation Goal: For bolstering adaptation initiatives and assisting marginalized communities, a road map was adopted.
Putting the Loss and Damage Fund into Operation: A system was designed to provide financial assistance to nations most impacted by the effects of climate change.
It can be concluded that there has been a shift in mindset toward an expanded successful strategy for fighting against climate change according to the format of COP28. Whatever the remaining challenges to its implementation, it is a positive step toward achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement and a more environmentally friendly future.
Additional Points:
- COP28 was the very first conference that took place in the Middle East.
- The United Arab Emirates, the world's biggest oil producer, came under pressure for its stance on climate change.
- Throughout the summit, a spirit of urgency and teamwork persisted despite obstacles and conflicts.
Participants and Engagement at COP28
At COP28, which was held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023, all 199 Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) were present. Along with the European Union, these Parties consist of 197 countries.
Representatives from a wide range of observer organizations, including corporations, research institutes, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), joined the negotiations and discussions at COP28 in addition to the official delegations sent by the majority of countries.
Journalists and other media persons.
Youth organizations and communities.
Government officials and heads of state.
Approximately 70,000 persons attended COP28 in total, showing the interest and involvement of people worldwide in addressing climate change.
COP28 Objectives:
COP28, which ended in November 2023, had several important goals that broadly fell into four categories:
Monitoring the energy transition quickly: Achieving aggressive targets to decrease emissions will require speeding the global transition away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy.
Finance for climate change: obtaining more funding to help developing nations reduce the effects of climate change and adapt to them. This includes creating a Loss and Damage Finance Facility and concluding the Global Goal of Adaptation.
Setting nature and people first: Including ecosystem preservation and conservation in efforts to combat climate change while making sure that just solutions are implemented to preserve vulnerable populations and means of subsistence.
Encouraging diversity: ensuring equal participation and representation from youth, those who are marginalized, communities of indigenous peoples, and civil society.
COP28 Resolutions:
At COP28, some progress was achieved, but no official resolutions were finally adopted. This came about because of continuous debates over important topics like the Global Goal of Adaptation and loss and damage finance. Still, significant findings were observed:
Understanding the importance of cutting out fossil fuels: The importance of shifting toward alternatives to fossil fuels was acknowledged for the first time at a COP conference. This represents an important change in the fight against climate change.
Global Stock Take Progress: The parties decided to proceed with the Global Stocktake, providing an in-depth assessment of the state of affairs regarding the goals of the Paris Agreement. Future NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) and international climate action will be guided by this.
Enhanced commitments to adaptation and renewable energy: There is an increasing sense of concern as seen by the several countries that made fresh commitments to renewable energy installations and adaption programs.
Concentrate on action and implementation: The necessity of moving past negotiations and concentrating on the actual implementation of current offers was brought up during discussions.
Even while the absence of official resolutions continues to be disappointing, COP28 can be considered as a first step toward greater advancements in the future. Although there is still more work to be done to fulfill the objectives of the Paris Agreement, the acknowledgment of the phase-out of fossil fuels and the growing impetus for action are encouraging indicators.
COP27
From November 6–20, 2022, the sun-drenched city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, hosted COP27, the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Under the title "African COP," the conference's main objectives were to support disadvantaged countries that are bearing the greatest burden of climate change's effects and to execute the current climate agreements.
Key Objectives:
- Speeding the rate of emission reduction to maintain global warming within the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target.
- Improving resilience and adaptation methods to deal with the effects of climate change that are already being felt.
- Securing funding to fulfill the requirements of poor nations for climate adaptation and mitigation.
- Encouraging cooperation and alliances between states, corporations, and civil society.
Major Outcomes:
Funding for Loss and Damage Establishment: The establishment of a specific fund to support countries that are suffering irreversible losses and damages due to climate change disasters represents a historic breakthrough.
Focus on Mitigation: By the end of 2023, the parties decided to review and possibly improve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to achieve more challenging carbon reduction objectives.
Increasing Funding for Adaptation: A financial commitment for enhancing adaptation activities in developing nations was obtained, highlighting the urgent need for improving resilience.
The Global Work Program's progress: Improvements have been made in several particular fields, including food security and agriculture, technology development for climate change, and ocean and coastal protection.
Challenges and Road Ahead:
- Even though COP27 achieved significant advancements, questions still surround the severity of the emissions reduction goals and the sufficiency of the promised financial resources.
- There are continuous difficulties in putting agreements into practice and making sure that promises are kept.
- Future success will depend critically on fostering trust and attending to the needs of vulnerable countries, especially those in the Global South.
In the global fight against climate change, COP27 was an important turning point. Apart of the process towards a more fair and just response to the climate issue is the creation of the Loss and Damage Fund and the increased emphasis on adaptation. However, to fulfill commitments with concrete actions and ensure a sustainable future for everybody, more effort and cooperation are required.
COP 29
The precise location of COP29, the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is still not confirmed yet
The UN regions take turns hosting the COP presidency, and Eastern Europe's time came in 2024.
At first, several Eastern European nations—including Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan—expressed interest in serving as hosts.
However, conflicts and tensions within the region made the selection process difficult. Russia was against EU members hosting, while Azerbaijan and Armenia were fighting for the position.
Armenia withdrew its proposal in December 2023, which may have allowed Azerbaijan to be named the official host. The UNFCCC has not, however, officially announced anything, thus the location of COP29 is still up in the air.
The Most Recent Changes: Azerbaijan has reportedly been selected to host COP29 following protracted discussions, according to recent reports.
The official announcement regarding the location of COP29 is still yet to happen and the decision will probably be confirmed soon. It is more likely that COP29 will be held in Azerbaijan in November 2024.
Conclusion:
COP28 in Dubai and COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh are two examples of conferences that show the necessity for global collaboration to fight climate change. These conferences have facilitated discussions, adjustments, and planning for a strategy aimed at achieving important results while highlighting the challenges that lie ahead.
The international community's desire to fight against climate change has been shown during COP28 in Dubai. Its focus on transforming climate financing, expediting the energy transition, prioritizing nature, and promoting diversity set high standards for global climate action. Although formal resolutions faced difficulties, there was remarkable progress in understanding the need to gradually phase out fossil fuels and the growing momentum towards renewable energy and adaptability.
The "African COP," or COP27, at Sharm El-Sheikh, was also an important event, especially after commitments to adaptation and mitigation were reaffirmed and the Loss and Damage Fund was formed again. However, there are still problems that need to be resolved, like the need for more ambitious emission reduction targets, proper funding, and effective implementation of the strategies.
The debate over the location of COP29, which the entire world is waiting for, shows the complex interplay between international relations and the urgent need for actions on climate change. Although the official location of this significant meeting is still unknown, some information indicates that it might take place in Azerbaijan. This shows the intricate relationships that underpin global climate diplomacy.
In conclusion, current COP conferences showcase both accomplishments and ongoing challenges, to ensure a resilient and environmentally friendly future for our planet, all countries, stakeholders, and individuals need to keep working and making unwavering promises. The momentum these events have created and the promises made there serve as evidence of this.
