Earlier this week, world leaders returned home and the COP28 focus has turned to the notoriously challenging negotiations phase. Progress has been made to agree on global funding for climate impacts with details of a new “loss-and-damage fund” to aid developing countries revealed. However, as predicted, clashes between UN Secretary-General António Guterres and COP28 President, Sultan al Jaber’s have been filling the headlines.
At the halfway point, we take a pulse check on COP28. We asked sustainability experts to share their perspective on the conversation so far; celebrating the positives and highlighting the priorities that need to be addressed before the conference closes on December 12th.
Dominic Quennell CEO, Enertechnos – “COP28 has delivered a noteworthy commitment to triple renewable energy generation by 2030, emphasising a robust aspiration for an environmentally sustainable future. Nevertheless, the actualisation of this objective will encounter obstacles due to ineffectual grid infrastructure. Addressing this deficiency is of paramount importance to translate aspirations into advancements.”
Annabelle Cox CEO – Tensei – “The success of the energy transition is intricately tied to a materials transition. COP28 must acknowledge and actively champion the advancement of low carbon material innovations by unlocking the market potential of unused crop waste. Second Harvest isn’t merely a byproduct of regenerative agriculture; it signifies a priority for global agriculture. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations should spearhead efforts in recognizing the natural, circular, and holistic positive impact that harnessing waste from farming can bring. Global agriculture holds the key to transformative change, and with the right incentivization and funding support for processing and offtake, this renewable and abundant feedstock can drive the new carbon economy.”
Benjamin Todd PR Liaison & Content – Undo – “UNDO is glad to see the financial commitments to aid countries suffering the worst effects of climate change. With the Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture and Resilient Food Systems, we hope to see more investment in farming communities as well. In the coming days, we would like to see the scaling of CDR solutions prioritised alongside the complete phaseout of fossil fuels.”
Sylvie Russell COO – Cambridge Cleantech – “COP28, as were the previous ones, is a critical moment for the world not only to think but to act on climate change. Countries with very different geo-political goals are under one roof so each step, even if small, is a step in the right direction. Therefore let’s already acclaim the financial commitments to aid countries suffering the worst effects of climate change and the commitment to triple renewable energy generation by 2030. The technologies are already there and waiting to be deployed at large scale. We cannot afford to deny the urgency and the responsibility that we all share.”
Oluchukwu Okonkwo Research Assistant – Sugarcrete – “Not only a phase-out of fossil fuel is essential or inevitable, it is very much feasible. The pragmatic way to achieve 1.5C surface temperature is to aggressively tackle the issue through science and academia. The Sugarcrete®️ project brings together experts from the University of East London (UEL) offering viable construction solutions for real world applications, using bio-waste as the core resource and mineral-based binders as supposed to fossil-based ones. The aim of the project is to develop ultra-low carbon building components using sugarcane bio-waste (bagasse), allowing the storage of biogenic carbon from fast-growing plants in construction materials as an effective strategy to delay carbon emissions.”
Hannah Scott CEO – Oxfordshire Greentech – “Though I’ve not entirely given up hope in the COP process, COP28 President Sultan Al Jaber’s comments about there being ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels were cause for real concern. I’m not surprised, given oil revenues generate 30% of UAE’s GDP. There has long been furious debate over wording around “phase out” of fossil fuels vs. “phase down”. The science is clear – we need phase out and at speed and scale. I’m not hopeful this will be in finalised wording for COP28, but it’s certainly what we need, and the meteoric fall of solar power prices, as well as the thousands of growing climate tech innovations, prove that an alternative energy system is possible.”
Chris Cowan Associate Director – Mixology PR – “COP 28 or ‘Greenwash 28’? So far, COP 28 feels like a mixed bag. Pledges from richer countries to tackle climate-driven drought, and a focus on climate change’s impact on health, are fantastic. However, with countries arguing whether to ‘phase down’ or ‘phase out’ fossil fuels while production is forecast to actually increase in run-up to 2030, other pledges feel like a lost cause. Greta Thunberg once said the UN climate summits are just ‘blah blah blah’. Perhaps she is right. We need serious global collaboration, commitments and direction on tackling the climate crisis, not squabbles and denial.”
So far, it seems that COP28 has painted a mixed picture. There is a dichotomy between positive narratives and the need for truly effective, urgent action. It is clear that there’s a crucial need for substantial global collaboration, steadfast commitments, and clear direction. With one week to go, will confidence in COP28 be revived?