Today's Edition
ISIDORA CIRIC (DUBAI) - As the world’s eyes turn to Dubai, the stage is set for the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), a critical juncture in the ongoing battle against climate change. This momentous event, which commenced yesterday, brought together over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, innovators, and policymakers from across the globe, all united in their mission to forge a sustainable future.
In the heart of the UAE, a nation that has been at the forefront of embracing renewable energy and sustainable practices, COP28 promises to be a platform for transformative ideas and decisive actions.
The event was officially inaugurated in an opening ceremony which set a solemn, yet determined tone for the conference. At the opening ceremony of COP28, attended by Aletihad, COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber delivered a compelling speech, urging global leaders to unite for ambitious climate action.
“The science has spoken,” the COP28 President told delegates. “It has confirmed the moment is now to find a new road, a road wide enough for all of us, free of the obstacles and detours of the past. That new road starts with a decision on the Global Stocktake (GST), a decision that is ambitious, corrects course and accelerates action to 2030.”
He commended the collective efforts and diverse backgrounds of those present, highlighting the shared commitment to addressing climate challenges. “That choice is why we are all here in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is deeply proud and humbled to be hosting COP28 at a pivotal time in this critical decade for climate action,” he said.
He called for a departure from past methods, advocating for an approach that integrates mitigation, adaptation, and financial means under one comprehensive strategy. “Through the Global Stocktake, we have a chance to unite the three core elements of the climate agenda. We can finally bring mitigation, adaptation, and means of implementation, which includes finance, under one umbrella,” Dr. Al Jaber underscored.
The COP28 President stressed the importance of clear guidance on nationally determined contributions and translating agreements into real-world actions, noting that his COP28 Presidency will encourage dialogue. “I pledge that I will run an inclusive and transparent process, one that encourages free and open discussion between all parties,” Dr. Al Jaber stressed, urging all parties to join efforts to deliver the most ambitious stocktake possible.
Acknowledging the UAE’s young but ambitious history, Dr. Al Jaber drew parallels to the global climate challenge, urging nations to embody the UAE’s core values of collaboration, optimism, partnership, determination, trust, fairness, and pragmatism.
“These are the ingredients that make up the DNA of the UAE. And it’s these core values of trust, purpose, partnership and pragmatism that I believe must define COP28,” he said. Finance was a key topic, with Dr. Al Jaber underlining the necessity of unlocking funds to ensure that developing nations do not have to choose between development and climate responsibility.
He called for honouring previous commitments, such as the $100 billion pledge, and stressed the importance of addressing the Loss and Damage Fund, a key concern for vulnerable nations.
Dr. Al Jaber paid tribute to his late colleague, renowned Bangladeshi scientist Saleemul Haq who dedicated his career to climate issues, underscoring the human aspect of the climate crisis. The COP28 President stressed the importance of putting nature and livelihood at the forefront of the agenda and expressed pride that this COP edition would be the first to host a climate health ministerial.
The ministerial event will set out a roadmap and opportunities for action to address the rapidly growing burden of climate change on healthcare systems, as well as capture the vast socio-economic benefits from better health and well-being through climate action.
“Adaptation must be at the heart of our action. We must bridge the finance gap and agree on a robust framework for the global goal. Let’s put nature, lives, and livelihoods at the core of our national plans. Let’s finally face the issues that are critical to adaptation, like water, food, agriculture, and health. And that is why I am proud that this COP will be the first to host a climate health ministerial,” he said.
The COP28 President also acknowledged the progress in renewable energy and energy efficiency, urging further action in these areas. He highlighted the unprecedented engagement with oil and gas companies, noting their commitment to reducing emissions and the need for continued leadership in this sector.
Dr. Al Jaber also mentioned the focus on decarbonising high-emission sectors like transportation, aluminium, steel, and cement. In conclusion, Dr. Al Jaber called for effective negotiation and action beyond mere words, aiming to improve lives globally. He stressed the need for a united approach, following science, and urged for using the conference as a platform for impactful, inclusive, and swift climate action, setting a tone of urgency and collaboration for the duration of COP28.
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretary-General Simon Stiell also addressed the attendees, calling for immediate and escalated climate action, likening the current slow pace to a child’s baby steps. He emphasised the urgency of transitioning from a world lacking resilience to one that effectively responds to complex climate impacts.
Stiell began by thanking Egypt for their leadership over the past year and acknowledged the weighty responsibility now on the shoulders of the United Arab Emirates. The UNFCCC Secretary-General stressed the critical juncture humanity faces, with two clear paths ahead: continue with minimal changes or decisively ensure global safety and resilience through proper funding and commitment to a new energy system.
Highlighting the need for a just transition, Stiell stressed the importance of justice both within and between countries, ensuring equal opportunities for all, including women, indigenous peoples, and youth. He laid out a clear vision for the coming years, including the submission of the first Biennial Transparency Report in 2024.
“This will mean the reality of individual progress can’t be concealed,” Stiell said. He also mentioned the agreement on new financial goals at COP29 and urged countries to start preparing for new Nationally Determined Contributions early in 2025. Stiell dismissed the notion of “trying to try” as insufficient, calling for tangible actions and decisions.
The UNFCCC will track all announcements and initiatives to ensure ongoing commitment beyond the conference, he said. Lastly, Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), delivered a speech emphasising the urgent need for climate action.
He expressed gratitude to the UAE government and the UNFCCC for their meticulous conference preparation and hospitality. Skea underlined the increasing clarity and certainty of IPCC’s scientific assessments regarding climate change, its impacts, and future risks, as well as options for adaptation and mitigation.
He pointed out the unprecedented magnitude of human-induced climate changes spanning centuries and millennia. The speech drew attention to the widespread, rapid, and intensifying impacts of climate change, affecting diverse regions from the poles to tropics and mountains to oceans.
Skea warned that without immediate and extensive emission reductions across all sectors, achieving the Paris Agreement goals would be impossible. He referenced the recent Emissions Gap Report, indicating a trajectory towards a three-degree Celsius global warming if current policies persist, and emphasised the need for attention towards adaptation and financing.
Despite these challenges, Skea noted encouraging signs of climate action in some countries, where sustained emission reductions have helped to curb the global rise in emissions. He also mentioned the significant reduction in the costs of renewable energy over the past decade.
Skea outlined that the IPCC’s assessments have identified numerous options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change, which can be implemented immediately but require scaling up, mainstreaming through policies, and increased financing. He reassured that the scientific community is ready to support COP28 outcomes, shaping climate action based on science.
