5 Key Issues that need to be discussed at COP28
COP 28 has officially started in the UAE and is being lauded as a “milestone moment” for the world to take stock of its progress on the Paris Agreement but what key issues should be discussed?
Written by
Dan Coupland
Graduate Sustainability Consultant
To contact please email:
dan.coupland@mainer.co.uk
The Paris Agreement was born out of
COP 21 and aimed to keep global temperature increases well below 2°C – and if possible 1.5°C – compared with
pre-industrial levels.
However, to limit this global warming, greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline 43% by 2030, which therefore makes COP 28 a pivotal event to ensure that all countries that have signed up to the agreement, are still on track to meet the target.
Following on from COP 27, here are 5 Key Issues that need to be discussed at COP 28:
1. Climate Action Progress Review
It is expected at COP 28 that the first major review of the progress made in achieving the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, and meeting climate goals by the target of 2030. It is widely anticipated that several of these targets are not currently being met, such as the UN Secretary-General highlighting that halfway through the 2030 Global Goals initiative, that the world is currently off-track.
An in-depth discussion to understand why this is the case, and to reinvigorate support and commitment will be vital to ensure that pledges are actioned.
2. Loss, Damage, and Compensation
In 2022, Mainer published an article ‘Has COP27 left Climate Change with a sinking Feeling?’ looking at the progress that COP 27 made, highlighting key measures or policies that were agreed upon, or were discussed.
One of the main points was regarding the accountability of developed nations to pay reparations and compensations to less economically developed countries because of damages for the historic use of fossil fuels. Unfortunately, since COP 27, operationalising a new fund has proven complicated with many question marks and discussions surrounding who will pay, how renumerations will be calculated, who will oversee the funds, and who will receive the money.
No real progress has been made, and from a social responsibility standpoint, this needs to be resolved to encourage less economically developed countries (LEDCs) to keep on track with the most developed countries, and to feel valued by the rest of the world in support of their route to carbon reduction. Therefore, we would like to see an agreement in COP 28 of how the remunerations will be calculated in a fair way, proportional to climatic impacts, and to establish a timeframe for money to be paid.
3. Unabated Fossil Fuels
A key item which will help in meeting the peak emissions requirement by 2025 is that of reducing the amount of “unbated” fossil fuels. This relates to oil, coal and gas which do not have technologies to capture emissions. In September 2022, a report issued by the Global CCS Institute, stated that there were just 30 carbon capture facilities in the world, implementing measures such as carbon capture and storage and carbon capture power plants.
Differing opinions have been tabled, such as the UAE calling for a phase down which would increase the volume of emissions that are captured but does not give a definitive timeline currently as to how this would be achieved. Opposed to this are the EU, who are expected to require all emissions to have some form of capture technology, for existing and new developments. However, NGOs and climate groups have detailed how large-scale carbon capture technologies may not work as fully intended, and that decisions should be made to reduce emissions at point of source, i.e., nuclear, or green energy.
We would like to see further discussions take place for a decision to be made, as swift action needs to take place to allow alignment and parity in future energy planning.
4. Speeding the Energy Transaction
There is expected to be discussions tabled regarding the current state of the worlds push for net zero, as well as accelerating the rate of green energy schemes, and “slashing” greenhouse gas emissions.
At Mainer, we help clients with embodied carbon and operational energy performance targets, via Life Cycle Assessments, and other related sustainability services, which can help achieve net-zero building emissions. Whilst there have been significant changes to the UKs stance towards net-zero, COP 28 can act as refresh and “stock-take” of whether the world is on track to meet net-zero.
The consensus is likely that this is not the case currently, but there is still time to make decisions now, which will enable this to be achieved. However, discussions and decisions need to be held at COP 28 to establish which countries need more help, and which countries can be used as examples for others to copy. In conjunction with the overarching review of the Paris Agreement, we believe that a net-zero review, pushing even further for green energy via public and private funding, is vital to ensuring a realistic route to net-zero 2050.
5. Climate and Inclusivity
Finally, COP 28 will aim to be the most inclusive COP so far, and acknowledges that everyone, regardless of race, gender or ethnicity will all be needed to work together to ensure climate goals are achieved. A proportion of the summit will focus on ‘nature and people’ and there will be specialist themed days, such as health. A joint statement by the UAE and the UN, details that the goal is to make COP28 the most inclusive UN Climate Change Conference to date by encouraging participation and meaningful engagement of youth, women, local communities, and Indigenous Peoples as members of Party and observer delegations to COP.
A key item that should be discussed is about increasing the diversity of the decision makers who are influencing the rate at which climate-action is undertaken.
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