COP 28: The largest and most diverse climate summit in history

Introduction

COP28 UAE, also known as the 28th session of the UNFCCC’s Conference of the Parties, is currently in progress as part of the continuous endeavors to tackle climate change. The organizers have stated that COP 28, which is being held under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is officially the biggest climate change summit ever organized by the United Nations. The summit, which is being held in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023, aims to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement and to raise the ambition of the global response to the climate crisis.

For the first time, 80,000 participants have registered their names in the list of affiliation, disclosing who they work for and what their interests are. This is a significant improvement from previous years, when it was not customary for participants to reveal their identities, making it difficult to identify stakeholders and potential conflicts of interest among negotiators.

Around 140,000 people, including technical and security personnel, had access to the dedicated ‘Blue Zone’ this year for actual climate talks and the forum of participating states and organizations. This is more than double the number of accredited people who participated in the COP 27 held in Egypt last year, where the number of oil and gas representatives was more than most national delegations.

Who are the participants?

About 23,500 representatives of the official government team have participated in the conference this year. They include heads of state and government, ministers, diplomats, and experts from 197 parties to the UNFCCC. They are responsible for negotiating and adopting decisions on various aspects of the climate agenda, such as mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology, and transparency.

With them, 27,208 policy experts, academicians, representatives of professional organizations and senior officials of major petroleum companies have reached the conference venue. These guests do not have the same status of access to negotiations as official representatives, but their presence has raised concerns about the ability of big business to influence negotiations. Some of the prominent names in the list include Antony Arnault, son of Bill Gates and LVMH head Bernard Arnault, who will attend the conference as a guest according to Forbes magazine.

The accreditation list also includes more than 14,000 non-governmental organizations, ranging from environmental groups to industry representatives. They have the opportunity to observe the negotiations, organize side events, network with other stakeholders, and advocate for their positions and interests. Some of the well-known NGOs in the list are Greenpeace, WWF, Oxfam, and Amnesty International.

What are the challenges and opportunities?

The COP 28 is expected to be a critical moment for the global climate action, as it marks the first time that parties are required to submit their updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which are their plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The summit is also expected to finalize the rules and mechanisms for the implementation of the Paris Agreement, such as the carbon market, the transparency framework, and the global stocktake.

However, the COP 28 also faces many challenges and uncertainties, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the geopolitical tensions, the economic recovery, and the social inequalities. Moreover, the summit has to deal with the influence and pressure of various interest groups, especially the fossil fuel industry, which has a history of lobbying and obstructing the climate negotiations.

Last June, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ordered fossil fuel companies to “control and prevent the effects and legal threats designed to impede progress” to prevent the Earth’s climate change from spiraling out of control. He also urged the governments to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, end coal financing, and shift to renewable energy sources.

On the other hand, the COP 28 also offers many opportunities and innovations, such as the participation and engagement of a diverse and large number of stakeholders, the use of digital and hybrid platforms, the showcase of best practices and solutions, and the mobilization of public opinion and awareness.

According to organizers, nearly 400,000 people have applied for a one-day pass to access the vast ‘green zone’ that surrounds the convention complex at the Dubai Expo 2020 exhibition site, which has turned into a giant fair showcasing business and environmental innovation. The green zone is open to the public and offers a variety of activities, exhibitions, workshops, and dialogues on climate change and sustainable development.

Conclusion

The COP 28 is a historic and unprecedented event that brings together a large and diverse group of participants and stakeholders to address the most pressing challenge of our time: climate change. The summit has the potential to deliver significant and ambitious outcomes that can shape the future of our planet and humanity. However, the summit also faces many obstacles and risks that can undermine its effectiveness and legitimacy. Therefore, it is crucial that the parties and the public work together to ensure that the COP 28 is a success and a milestone for the global climate action.

Source: COP 28: The largest and most diverse climate summit in history

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