COP28 Summit Unveils Ambitious Agenda to Tackle Climate Change in Dubai

Karobar Karobar
Dec 1, 2023 - 00:13 Updated: Dec 1, 2023 - 00:17
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COP28 Summit Unveils Ambitious Agenda to Tackle Climate Change in Dubai

Dubai is abuzz this week as COP28, one of the largest global conferences addressing climate change, kicks off, drawing thousands of delegates from around 200 countries. Scheduled from November 30 to December 12, the 13-day summit aims to address pressing environmental issues, with a primary focus on curbing the use of fossil fuels and reducing carbon emissions.

The urgency of the conference is heightened by recent global climate-related challenges, including floods, heatwaves, and wildfires. NASA's declaration that the summer of 2023 was the hottest on record since 1880 underscores the critical need for decisive action against climate change.

Understanding COP

COP, short for Conference of the Parties, is an annual gathering where United Nations member states evaluate progress in dealing with climate change and formulate plans for climate action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The 28th iteration is hosted at Expo City Dubai, with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, President-Designate of COP28 and UAE’s Minister for Industry and Advanced Technology, leading the discussions.

Distinguished Attendees

Anticipated to attract over 70,000 attendees, including heads of state, COP28 will host prominent figures such as Britain's King Charles III, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Notable personalities like Leonardo DiCaprio and Bill Gates are also expected, while some, including US President Joe Biden and Pope Francis, will be absent.

COP28 Objectives

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber expressed his commitment to holding every country accountable to keep the 1.5°C target within reach—an international benchmark aimed at preventing irreversible effects of climate change. Delegates aspire to secure early victories, particularly on a climate disaster fund, before delving into discussions on fossil fuels and other contentious topics. The fund, agreed upon at COP27, aims to provide financial support to poorer nations.

Adnan Amin, CEO of the COP28 summit, aims to secure several hundred million US dollars during the event, with hopes for a contribution from the UAE. The summit's toughest talks may revolve around the future role of fossil fuels, debating whether countries should commit to phasing out CO2-emitting coal, oil, and gas.

Trade Day at COP28

Adding a new dimension, COP28 introduces its first-ever 'Trade Day' on December 4, bringing together the public and private sectors to explore how trade policies can drive climate goals. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, emphasized that this event will place trade at the forefront of the global climate debate.