The Halcyonite

Sasha, 24′

As December approaches, the Global Sustainability Community eagerly anticipates the UN Climate Change Conference – UNFCCC COP28, set to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12, 2023. COP events have been pivotal in shaping international climate action, and this 28th edition is expected to be a landmark gathering. According to reports from the United Nations and various climate research organisations, COP28 holds special significance as it marks the culmination of the inaugural Global Stocktake, a two-year-long, comprehensive assessment of the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

This assessment, conducted every five years, is designed to evaluate the collective progress made by nations worldwide toward achieving the ambitious climate objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 during COP21, set the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to keep the increase to 1.5 degrees. The Global Stocktake will scrutinise how countries are aligning their actions to meet these goals and assess the adequacy of the commitments made to date (UNFCCC).

The importance of this Stocktake cannot be overstated, as it will provide a clear picture of the world’s progress in combating climate change, highlighting successes, shortcomings, and areas that require immediate attention. It takes place every 5 years and is more than a routine checkup. The insights gained from this evaluation will guide policymakers, governments, and international organisations in developing more effective climate mitigation strategies and drive discussions on enhancing global climate resilience. This is an opportunity to create more ambitious goals to align with the Paris Agreement and avoid the largest challenges to climate change. COP 26 was all about target setting, COP27 focused on implementation, now this upcoming COP28 aims to focus on assessing the general global progress on the Paris Agreement. Including adapting of the implementation and advancing the progress on the implementation of clean energy.

While December is traditionally a time for holiday festivities, COP28 serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing need for international collaboration in addressing climate change. The climate crisis continues to be one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, and the outcomes of COP28 will reverberate globally. As the world collectively navigates the complex path to a sustainable and climate-resilient future, this conference in Dubai holds the promise of catalysing decisive action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and accelerate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon world. It is an event that exemplifies the shared commitment of nations to confront the climate crisis and secure a better future for all.

Sources Below:

Brief on COP27 Outcomes and Roadmap to COP28 TASHKENT. 2023, www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-09/brief_cop27_outcomes_and_cop28_eng.pdf.

Hub, IISD’s SDG Knowledge. Event: 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 28) | SDG Knowledge Hub | IISD. https://sdg.iisd.org/events/2023-un-climate-change-conference-unfccc-cop-28/

Unfccc.int, 2021, https://unfccc.int/topics/global-stocktake