COP28: What to expect as global climate emergency hits new peaks

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) — As key UN climate talks set to kick off Thursday, 197 nations, along with international organizations and civil society, are gearing up to address mounting environmental concerns at a global level.

Hosted in the emirate of Dubai, the event, known as the 28th edition of the Conference of the Parties (COP28), will have hotly debated issues on the agenda, from financing the sustainability transition to commitments on meeting previous emissions reduction goals.

COP meetings, held annually since 1995, are convened under the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as the convention’s decision-making body.

The past 27 conferences have produced major protocols and agreements on climate issues, with one of the most significant being the 2015 Paris Agreement which enshrines the commitment to limit global warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels.

This year’s 13-day event will take place from Nov. 30-Dec. 12 and will provide a crucial platform for world leaders, policymakers, and environmental stakeholders to collaboratively shape the trajectory of international climate action.

It will focus on accelerating emissions reduction, transitioning to sustainable energy, land use reform, and food systems transformation.

Implementation will be a major theme at the event, including on how to address critical problems faced by countries vulnerable to the climate crisis, mitigating loss and damages countries incur due to climate-related disasters, and ensuring inclusivity throughout the process.

- Work so far

COP28 comes as a follow-up to issues discussed in previous meetings, including on setting up a loss and damage fund, providing climate finance to developing countries, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In COP26, member nations adopted the Glasgow Climate Pact, which reiterated a pledge for wealthy nations to provide $100 billion annually to developing countries as climate finance.

Also, this was also the first time that countries agreed to “phase down unabated coal power and inefficient subsidies for fossil fuels.”

At COP27 held last year in Egypt, major takeaways included establishing a dedicated loss and damage fund, enhancing financial support for developing nations, pivoting attention towards the practical implementation of climate measures.

Many countries and blocs, including the EU, have declared specific climate goals.

According to the European climate law, EU member states are obligated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 55% by the year 2030, aiming to achieve climate neutrality for the bloc by 2050.

The US also aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030, achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Another industrial giant, China has announced that it intends to start reducing its emissions by 2030 and carbon neutral by 2060.

Türkiye, meanwhile, ratified the Paris Climate Agreement in 2021, pledging net-zero emissions by 2053.

For his part, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged substantial commitments such as to triple renewable energy capacity, double energy efficiency, ensure universal access to clean power by 2030, and establish a clear timeframe for phasing out fossil fuels to align with the 1.5 C limit.

- Highlights of COP28

This year’s gathering features an assessment of each country’s progress towards this limit, due in 2025, to realign subsequent climate commitments and actions.

COP28 will mark the first time that countries bring an analysis of the significant deviation from their climate targets into negotiation rooms.

Deliberations at the conference on a diverse range of climate-related issues are required to be aligned with the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

The conference will be divided into two zones.

In the “blue zone,” sessions with only UN-accredited participants, such as state representatives and accredited press, will be held, while the “green zone,” meanwhile, will have events and exhibits open to registered participants from the public and civil society.

During the conferences, member countries will present their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), outlining commitments to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Negotiations will cover critical aspects, such as emission reduction targets, financial contributions, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives.

COP gatherings also include side events, workshops, and exhibitions that showcase innovations and solutions in climate science and policy.

Participant countries are expected to increase their financial contributions regarding the climate crisis that the whole world facing.

- Global Presence and Notable Speakers

Over 70,000 attendees are expected, including representatives from UNFCCC member states, business leaders, youth, climate scientists, indigenous peoples, journalists, and experts.

Notable speakers during the initial days of the summit will include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and President of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi.

Among the attendees, Britain’s King Charles will address the summit’s opening.

While Pope Francis, the first pontiff invited to a COP meeting, was initially expected to participate as well, it was later announced that he would not, due to health issues.

From the US, President Joe Biden will be conspicuously absent, with John Kerry, his special envoy on climate change attending instead.​​​​​​​