As a year marked by unprecedented temperatures and disasters influenced by climate change comes to an end, nations are once again preparing to convene for another round of UN climate talks.
The upcoming COP28, scheduled from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), will cover various crucial global matters. A significant focus will be the conclusion of a two-year “global stocktake” evaluating progress under the Paris Agreement and discussions on its implications for future actions. Additionally, COP28 aims to establish a new fund addressing climate change-induced “loss and damage.”
The controversial choice of holding the event in a major oil-producing nation and appointing Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of the state-owned oil company, as president has sparked discussions. Amidst increased attention on fossil fuels, some nations will advocate for agreements to phase them out in the forthcoming years. Furthermore, calls for global objectives, including tripling renewable energy capacity, will be echoed.
To track the priorities of participants at COP28, Carbon Brief conducted an assessment of key issues based on public submissions to the UN and extensive research. The interactive table details countries and negotiating blocs, debate topics, specific concerns within those topics, and the stance each group might take on particular issues during the summit.
The COP28 negotiations will notably culminate in a decision text regarding the global stocktake, assessing progress toward the Paris Agreement’s objectives. This text will reflect current efforts and outline collective agreements for future actions. It includes proposals to align countries’ climate plans, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), with the Paris Agreement’s temperature targets.
The submissions also provide an avenue for advocating sector-specific targets essential for achieving climate objectives, encompassing energy industry targets, such as discussions on phasing out or reducing fossil fuels. Additionally, momentum has gathered behind calls to significantly increase renewable energy capacity and enhance energy efficiency.
Another pivotal matter at COP28 involves operationalizing the loss-and-damage fund, agreed upon during COP27, to address climate-related impacts. However, negotiations reveal deep divides between developed and developing nations, notably on funding sources and accessibility.
Moreover, COP28 will address issues related to adaptation, finance, mitigation, just transition pathways, and Article 6 carbon markets, aiming to chart progress and agree on operational frameworks and guidelines.
Please note that this summary is a condensed version of the original text.
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