COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference of 198 Parties in the UAE, reached a landmark agreement, The UAE Consensus, aiming to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C.
The UAE Consensus calls for a shift from fossil fuels to achieve net-zero emissions, urges comprehensive Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), sets specific targets to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030, and advances climate finance.
The agreement reflects a year of diplomatic efforts, aligning with the central goals of the Paris Agreement.
COP28 President, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber during his closing speech says, “The world needed to find a new way. By following our North Star, we have found that path. We have worked very hard to secure a better future for our people and our planet. We should be proud of our historic achievement.”
“I promised a different sort of COP. A COP that brought everyone together – private and public…civil society and faith leaders, youth and indigenous peoples. Everyone came together from day one. Everyone united, acted and delivered.”
Throughout COP28, Dr. Al Jaber and the COP28 Presidency team emphasised a science-driven plan, aiming to redefine future COPs. Their focus includes the inclusion of diverse perspectives and prioritising the needs of the Global South.
Dr. Al Jaber adds, “It is a balanced plan that tackles emissions, bridges the gap on adaptation, reimagines global finance and delivers on loss and damage. It is built on common ground. It is strengthened by inclusivity and it is reinforced by collaboration. It is an enhanced, balanced, but make no mistake, historic package to accelerate climate action.”
Commitments in the final negotiated text
The final negotiated text includes commitments including: a global transition away from all fossil fuels for net zero by 2050, enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with economy-wide emission targets and momentum for financial architecture reform.
Additionally, text includes a specific target to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030, and a call to significantly scale up adaptation finance to address urgent needs.
COP28, alongside the Global Stocktake, claims to have achieved historic outcomes by operationalising Loss and Damage, securing $792M in early pledges. It established a framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and institutionalised the role of the Youth Climate Champion for future COPs.
The COP28 Presidency’s ‘Action Agenda’ went beyond the negotiated text, focusing on a just energy transition, improved climate finance, people and nature, and inclusivity.
The achievements under the Action Agenda include mobilising over $85B and launching 11 pledges and declarations with historic support.
Major Action Agenda achievements
COP28 witnessed significant launches, including the $30B ALTÉRRA private finance vehicle, aiming for $250B in global climate action; the COP28 UAE Declaration on Agriculture and Food, endorsed by 158 countries, and the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health, endorsed by 144 countries.
The Global Decarbonisation Accelerator (GDA) introduced key initiatives such as the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge (132 countries), Oil and Gas Decarbonisation Charter (52 companies), and Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) Pledge (67 countries).
The COP28 Presidency also received the Global Youth Statement, summarising the climate policy demands of youth from over 160 countries.
The Presidency is committed to ensuring the implementation of agreements into COP29 and COP30. They have signed an agreement with Brazil, the host of COP30, to enhance collaboration and elevate climate ambitions.
This partnership includes working with Azerbaijan, the hosts of COP29, to encourage ambitious climate plans and whole-of-economy Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) at COP30, building on the momentum generated at COP28.
Brief about COP28 UAE
COP28 UAE is scheduled at Expo City Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023, expecting over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, industry leaders, academics, youth, and non-state actors.
Aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 features the inaugural Global Stocktake, assessing progress toward climate goals.
The UAE is spearheading a collaborative effort to establish a roadmap for an efficient global energy transition and prioritise inclusive climate action with a “leave no one behind” approach.