As the world continues to grapple with the devastating effects of climate change, global leaders and policymakers are already gearing up for the next United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP28 – and establishing the course of action required to make sure that this conference delivers the correct promises needed to help get runaway climate change under control.
This year’s climate summit, the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties, is only six months away, taking place in Expo City Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and will convene from Monday 6th November until Friday 17th November.
Announcing the event, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said: “We are pleased and honoured by the UNFCCC decision to select the United Arab Emirates to host the UN Climate Change Conference in 2023 and commit ourselves as a nation to supporting the entire international community in accelerating our combined efforts to overcome the very real threat of climate change.
“COP28 in 2023 will and must be a ‘solutions COP’”, His Highness added. “I am confident that the rich experience of this young, inclusive nation in advancing practical, viable and shareable solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges will again come to the fore as we host the world for the UN Climate Change Conference.”
Speaking at the Countdown to COP27 event, General Director of COP28, Majid Al Suwaidi, believes that COP28 will be the most important climate event since COP21 which witnessed the Paris Agreement adopted by 196 parties.
“We knew at the time those targets wouldn’t be enough to get us where we need to be, so we built into the agreement a mechanism to come back in five years to take stock and to raise ambition.
“That is what is mandated to happen for the first time at COP28 UAE.”
As the event draw ever closer, we examine some of the key bits of news and talking points that have already been raised regarding the upcoming UN Climate Conference and what could be on the agenda.
Fossil Fuels
This month, Mariam Almheiri, the Minister of Climate Change and Environment for the UAE, highlighted that countries worldwide are presently unprepared to initiate the gradual elimination of fossil fuels.
She stated that countries should agree to ease off on fuel emissions but not the production of oil, gas, and coal.
Speaking to Reuters, Almheiri stated that removal would negatively impact nations that rely on fossil fuels for their revenue or face challenges in swiftly replacing them with renewable energy sources. She recommended that carbon capture and storage technology should be areas to be investigated while increasing the deployment of renewable energy.
Sponsorships
COP28 has extended an invitation to numerous brands, encouraging them to sponsor the climate conference with the assurance that they will “benefit from access and unrivalled networking opportunities with governments and global business leaders”.
The highest-priced sponsorship package available is priced at £6.5m and the allows the sponsor with a “speaking opportunity in the COP28 UAE presidency events” and “partner recognition on the trophy wall” among other benefits, according to documentation accessed by Sky News.
Recognized companies including Coca-Cola and Microsoft were sponsors of last years event, COP27.
President Assad Invite
Syria President, Bashar al Assad has been invited to attend the UN Climate conference which has prompted question marks from campaign groups and governmental figures.
According to Syrian state news, Mr Assad was invited by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed. If he attends, it will mark the first global summit he has participated in since the onset of Syria’s civil war in 2011. He would be among Western leaders who have long opposed him and imposed sanctions.
Now we switch our attention to what could be on the agenda in November.