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COP28 essentials

What to watch at COP28

Published on November 21, 2023

Dubai is hosting the world's biggest climate conference amid war, economic trouble and increasing climate challenges. Will the big talk translate into action?

As COP 28 takes place in the UAE, the task of keeping global warming below the internationally agreed target of 1.5 degrees Celsius wil be in sharp focus. : Michael Joiner, 360info CC BY 4.0 As COP 28 takes place in the UAE, the task of keeping global warming below the internationally agreed target of 1.5 degrees Celsius wil be in sharp focus. : Michael Joiner, 360info CC BY 4.0
Authors Reece Hooker
Commissioning Editor, 360info

DOI 10.54377/a96e-4206

Dubai is hosting the world’s biggest climate conference amid war, economic trouble and increasing climate challenges. Will the big talk translate into action?

The COP28 conference will kick off in Dubai’s Expo City on 30 November, helmed by Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.

The world is well beyond the point of consensus that action on climate needs to happen and fast. But the task of translating the rhetoric into the action needed to keep global warming below the internationally agreed target of 1.5 degrees Celsius is a mighty one.

Early indications are promising. Even though US President Joe Biden is skipping the conference, his administration is working with China to broker a new climate agreement to follow their progress at COP27.

Looming over these crucial negotiations is the host country and its Gulf oil state allies. There is scepticism over anointing Al Jaber, a fossil fuels executive, as the lead delegate of a climate conference.

The Sultan espouses a commitment to resolving climate change and preaches the benefits of an “integrated approach” that brings oil and renewables to the table. COP28 will be an important flashpoint to put the claims to the test.

360info turns to the experts to provide an overview of COP28: what led to this moment, what might happen in Dubai and what it could mean moving forward.

 

 

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In this Special Report

Sultan al Jaber, the United Arab Emirates’ COP28 President-Designate, will be helming complicated discussions in November. : Arctic Circle, Flickr CC BY 2.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

To meet climate goals, countries will have to get far more ambitious and quickly. Here’s what to look for at COP28.

Heat is on UAE to deliver at COP28
Water-sensitive cities like Kunshan, China reimagine how urban infrastructure can adapt to climate needs. : Dong Xie, Unsplash Unsplash licence

Despite the best intentions, talk from the top hasn’t sufficiently trickled down to widespread actions. A water initiative is trying to help change that.

Tapping into water solutions to close development gap
The polluter pays principle places the onus on those responsible for pollution to bear the cost. The principle has evolved to encompass expenses tied to accidental pollution prevention, control, and clean-up. : EJ Yao (Unsplash) Unsplash License

The building industry is a substantial contributor to pollution. Making it sustainable and more eco-friendly has many challenges.

What a sustainable construction supply chain looks like
COP plays a crucial role to pressure governments to act to keep climate warming to 1.5 degrees, or within 2 degrees. : Mika Baumeister via Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/photos/group-of-people-standing-near-trees-jXPQY1em3Ew) Unsplash Licence

Progress on climate issues may be slow but COP remains the best mechanism for pressuring governments to make the changes needed to avert catastrophe.

What is COP and why should I care?
The first Global Stocktake on the Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, is set to take place at COP28. : UNclimatechange, Flickr CC BY 2.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

COP28 will take stock of the step change in ambition needed, but the gulf in climate finance promises and realities presents an obstacle to a stronger action.

Climate damage: Who pays and how
COP28’s focus on health could be a welcome stimulus for increased investment. : Matt Palmer, Unsplash Unsplash licence (https://unsplash.com/license)

COP28 will include the first dedicated ‘Health Day’. It’s due recognition that a health crisis is inextricably linked to the climate crisis.

The climate crisis is a health crisis

Related content

What a sustainable construction supply chain looks like

The building industry is a substantial contributor to pollution. Making it sustainable and more eco-friendly has many challenges.

The climate crisis is a health crisis

COP28 will include the first dedicated ‘Health Day’. It’s due recognition that a health crisis is inextricably linked to the climate crisis.

Climate damage: Who pays and how

COP28 will take stock of the step change in ambition needed, but the gulf in climate finance promises and realities presents an obstacle to a stronger action.

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