The official calltime on COP28 was scheduled for 0700 GMT on the 12th December 2023. However, the climate summit found itself in overtime with ongoing talks and divisions amongst nations on a draft deal after a backlash on fossil fuels. The EU, US and small island nations expressed their anger over a draft deal they deemed “weak” for removing language about “phasing out” fossil fuels. With all 198 countries needed to agree for a deal, the UK and several others vowed not to sign the first text.
The UN climate talks in Dubai were mired in controversy and threatened to overshadow the progress that had been made in previous weeks. The Global Climate Action Portal reported a doubling of announcements ranging across pledges and declarations, publications and reports, new initiatives, and progress and updates, compared to COP27. With over $700 million (£556 million) pledged to loss and damage fund, COP28 was able to boast some success:
- The Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge, backed by 130 nations, committed to tripling global renewable energy capacity to 11,000 GW by 2030. Plus, The Race to Zero Campaign reported a doubling in engagement, now boasting over 13,500 non-Party stakeholders.
- Climate finance commitments soared, with initiatives like the Global Capacity Building Coalition and the Nature Solutions Hub for Asia and the Pacific taking centre stage. The COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate Relief, Recovery, and Peace garnered support from 78 nations, intensifying efforts to fortify climate resilience.
- COP28 was declared the most inclusive UN Climate Change Conference to date, emphasising representation for vulnerable communities and marginalised groups. The 5th Capacity-building Hub championed inclusive platforms, fostering rights-based participatory approaches to climate action.
On 13th December, an amended version of the deal was delivered and a consensus was reached. Nations at COP28 agreed on a roadmap for ‘transitioning away from fossil fuels’, a first for a UN climate conference. Although the agreement falls short of the longstanding demand for a definitive ‘phaseout’ of oil, coal and gas, highlights include:
- A new target of tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency by 2030
- Over $85 billion in support funds committed
- Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency pledge, endorsed by 130 countries
With the Global Stocktake revealing that progress is not fast enough, we hope these changes bring renewed vigour to climate actions.