Dr. Mohamed Abdulla Alali
The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) was convened in early December 2023. This conference is by far the largest of its kind to date, with over 180 leaders and heads of state and government in attendance, nearly 70,000 guests from 198 countries, and a record number of attendees (nearly 500,000 participants in the Conference’s Blue and Green Zones).
The conference also hosted many representatives of international organisations, non-governmental organisations, academics, journalists, the private sector, indigenous peoples, and youth. Thus, an unprecedentedly versatile crowd gathered on the UAE’s soil to discuss one of the most serious challenges facing the future of humanity, namely the accelerating climate change and the means to preserve the planet for future generations. This conference has gained importance due to several considerations.
The first of which, of course, was the increasingly exacerbating climate challenge. The average global temperature has already risen by 1.2 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times. This has resulted in widespread drought and frequent and deadly heatwaves, wildfires and storms worldwide.
The second was the unprecedented, huge gathering of leaders, experts, and specialists.
Thirdly, for the first time ever, we witnessed that the discussions on humanity’s limits are on the right track to reducing global warming. The conference discussed the level of progress made so far, the measures needed to put the world on the right track to address accelerating climate change, and an expected plan at the end of the conference to mobilise international efforts.
The fourth consideration, in my opinion, was that the conference was held in the UAE, which has truly proved to be the ideal place to formulate an international consensus on the climate challenge, given the capability of the UAE’s diplomacy to support commonalities through its strong relations with all countries in the world.
In addition to that, the UAE has declared its strong commitment to supporting international efforts to reduce emissions. In this regard, the country has invested $100 billion in financing climate action, as well as renewable and clean energy. It has also pledged to invest an additional $130 billion over the next seven years and lend its well-grounded experience in hosting major international events, such as Expo 2020 Dubai, through which the UAE has demonstrated its enormous organisational abilities.
Climate efforts are centred on achieving the shared global goal set by the Paris Agreement in 2015: Keeping the global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to only 1.5 degrees Celsius. Under the Paris Agreement, countries should measure their progress annually, starting that year.
The aim was to identify the levels of achieving emission reduction targets, discover the shortcomings, stimulate countries to adopt more ambitious plans and policies, or inject more funds to help developing countries transit toward clean energy.
However, the dilemma the world faces is that many countries lack well-defined and effective plans and policies to steer their economies toward achieving emission reduction goals for 2030 and 2050. Therefore, the UAE has exerted considerable efforts during COP28, harnessing its organisational, human, and communication capabilities and maintaining good international relations with all nations. It strongly strived to make its hosting of COP28 effective in terms of achieving the desired climate goals.
This involved finding solutions and alternatives that assist the affected countries in reducing carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. It has aimed to stimulate sustainable development and accelerate the transition to clean energy through solar energy projects, carbon capture and storage projects, and the utilisation of hydrogen. It has taken steps to solidify the foundations of a green economy.
Through this conference, the UAE has focused on setting realistic plans to tackle climate change, moving from discussions and planning to implementation and action to address this global challenge. The UAE’s efforts and positive impact were evident as of the first day of COP28, when His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, may God protect him, announced the creation of a $30 billion fund for global climate solutions. In addition, the Loss and Damage Fund was approved to support the countries most affected by the climate crisis.
Notably, the fund was approved by a significant international consensus, as reflected by the comments of participating delegations after years of debate over the responsibility for bearing the costs of climate effects. It is incredibly significant that the conference adopted a historic decision on its first day, reflecting the globally recognised efficiency of the UAE team in making arrangements and reaching understandings in advance.
In the end, the UAE succeeded in bringing the views of representatives of countries participating in the conference closer together. It has also succeeded in leading COP28 towards a major breakthrough in international climate action since the Paris Agreement and has strongly pushed for a just global transition to an energy system that is safer for the future of humanity.
The UAE has been the voice of reason and has been able to build bridges of communication with the entire world and overcome difficult times and geopolitical divisions on complex issues such as fossil fuels. It has managed to bring about historic international understandings and positions on seriously critical issues regarding climate change.
The writer is a researcher and writer at TRENDS Research & Advisory