AS witnesses to the closing chapter of the fossil fuel era and the dawn of a new age, the recently-concluded United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai has delivered a groundbreaking agreement that, while not an immediate farewell to fossil fuels, undeniably signifies the ‘beginning of the end’. The transition towards a sustainable future is now set in motion, but the real challenge lies in translating these commitments into tangible outcomes. UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell rightly pointed out that the agreement marks a pivotal moment, demanding swift and resolute action from governments and businesses worldwide. The commitment to a global stocktake, the cornerstone of COP28, encapsulates the essence of our collective responsibility. It outlines a path toward achieving a 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a necessary step to keep the global temperature increase below the critical 1.5°C threshold.
However, the stocktake also highlights that Parties are currently off track in meeting the goals set by the Paris Agreement. This serves as a wake-up call, urging nations to reassess and enhance their climate action plans, ensuring they align with the urgency of the situation. To achieve this, a tripled capacity for renewable energy and doubled efficiency improvements by 2030 are non-negotiable, along with the acceleration of efforts to phase down coal power and eliminate inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. In the short term, the call for ambitious, economy-wide emission reduction targets is a commendable step. Nations must step up to the challenge, setting targets that cover all sectors and gases, with a clear focus on the 1.5°C limit. The urgency is palpable, and our generation demands decisive action.
The agreement also recognizes the vital need to strengthen resilience against climate change impacts, emphasizing the operationalization of the loss and damage fund. The substantial pledges, exceeding USD 700 million, showcase a positive momentum towards supporting vulnerable nations. Moreover, the establishment of the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage underscores a commitment to providing technical assistance to those most vulnerable to climate change adverse effects. The financial aspect of climate action took centre stage at COP28, with Stiell emphasizing the crucial role of climate finance as the ‘great enabler’. While the pledges to the Green Climate Fund and other funds are commendable, they fall short of the trillions required to support developing countries in their transition to clean energy and adaptation efforts. The global stocktake rightly calls for reforming the multilateral financial architecture and creating innovative sources of finance, ensuring sustained support for the developing world.
The commitment to set a new collective quantified goal on climate finance in 2024 is a positive development, acknowledging the financial needs and priorities of developing countries. This goal, starting at a baseline of USD 100 billion per year, serves as a foundation for the upcoming national climate plans due by 2025. The real challenge lies in transforming these financial commitments into tangible actions on the ground, fostering a global commitment to a sustainable and equitable future. The inclusivity and collaboration witnessed at COP28 are heartening. World leaders, civil society, business, Indigenous Peoples, youth, philanthropy, and international organizations joined forces to close the gaps to 2030. The emphasis on empowering all stakeholders through the Action for Climate Empowerment and the Gender Action Plan reinforces the understanding that collective action is the key to success.
The Global Climate Action space at COP28 served as a platform for real-world climate solutions, emphasizing the need for collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society. The implementation roadmap of 2030 Climate Solutions, launched by the High-Level Champions, provides a framework for scaling up effective measures to address emissions, adaptation gaps, and resilience. Looking ahead, the enhanced transparency framework laid the groundwork for implementing the Paris Agreement. The transparency reporting and review tools, to be made available by June 2024, will play a crucial role in holding nations accountable for their commitments.
As a participant with access to the blue zone at COP28, being a witness to the negotiations and agreements has been an enlightening experience. The collective effort and determination of global leaders and stakeholders signal a turning point in our fight against climate change. The decisions made at COP28, while historic, also lay the groundwork for the challenges that lie ahead. The forthcoming COP29 in Azerbaijan and COP30 in Brazil mark a crucial juncture for global climate action. Over the next two years, governments face the imperative task of not only setting a fresh climate finance goal at COP29 but also delivering meticulously crafted, 1.5°C- aligned nationally determined contributions at COP30. In this pivotal journey, our metaphorical
North Star serves as a guiding beacon, emphasizing the collective responsibility shared by nations. As we navigate this trajectory, it is imperative to recognize and applaud the unwavering commitment of ordinary individuals worldwide, acknowledging their pivotal role as an influential force propelling the momentum for transformative change. In concluding the COP28 proceedings, the profound words of COP28 President, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, reverberate with a resonance that transcends the conference halls. We find ourselves at the culmination of a historic journey, one that has been defined by a collective commitment to forge a better future for our planet. Dr Sultan Al Jaber’s articulation of the ‘beginning of the end’ of the fossil fuel era goes beyond being a mere conclusion; it serves as the opening chapter, the prologue to a future that demands our collective agency and shared determination. As we bid farewell to COP28, it is abundantly clear that the path forward requires global collaboration, innovative solutions, and an unwavering dedication to the ideals set forth during these crucial deliberations. The torchbearer has been lit, and it is now our responsibility to navigate this new era collectively, shaping a sustainable and equitable future for generations to come.
—The writer, a prominent Climate Youth Activist participating in COP 28, serves as the President of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development.
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views expressed are writer’s own.
