As the sun blazes over Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a significant global gathering is on the horizon. The city, known for its opulent skyscrapers and scorching temperatures, is gearing up to host the 28th annual United Nations (UN) climate meeting, COP28, from 30 November to 12 December 2023. The event will see governments from around the world converging to discuss strategies to limit and prepare for the impacts of future climate change.
A Venue Marred in Controversy
The selection of Dubai as the venue for COP28 has raised eyebrows and sparked heated debates. The UAE ranks among the world’s top ten oil-producing nations, with the state-owned oil company planning to expand its production capacity. Adding fuel to the controversy is the appointment of Sultan Al Jaber, the chief executive of the same oil company, as the president of the COP28 talks. Critics argue that this choice is akin to appointing the CEO of a cigarette company to oversee a conference on cancer cures.
Striving for 1.5C Limit
Amid the controversies, the central aim of COP28 remains clear and urgent: to keep alive the goal of limiting long-term global temperature rises to 1.5C, as agreed in the Paris Agreement in 2015. This target is not just a number but a lifeline, crucial to averting the most catastrophic impacts of climate change. However, with current emissions commitments, we are far off track, with the world heading for a dangerous 2.5C of warming by 2100.
The Battle of Commitments
COP28 will serve as a crucible, where the future of unabated fossil fuels will be hotly contested. Al Jaber advocates for a phase-down in their usage, while others, like the European Union, will push for a full phase-out. The financing of climate action will also be a central issue, with the workings of the loss and damage fund agreed at COP27 still unclear and some nations, like the US, resisting paying climate reparations. Despite the challenges and controversies, the stakes at COP28 remain sky-high. The summit offers a much-needed platform for global agreements that transcend national measures. The hope is that, under the desert sun in Dubai, the world will find the resolve to take decisive action against the looming climate crisis.