COP28 Kicks Off in Dubai With Focus on Global Climate Goals

The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change commenced in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday. This year’s conference is pivotal, marking the end of the first Global Stocktake, a comprehensive two-year evaluation of global progress towards the 2015 Paris Agreement goals.

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, newly appointed as COP28 president, emphasized the need for ambitious and corrective actions to accelerate progress towards 2030. Al Jaber called on world leaders to rapidly agree on the Global Stocktake’s agenda and swiftly proceed to detailed discussions.

Stressing the importance of finance for climate action in the Global South, Al Jaber urged for solutions and consensus among all parties. Simon Stiell, UN climate change executive secretary, highlighted the slow pace in addressing climate change impacts and urged for increased transparency and responsibility in global efforts.

Stiell also emphasized the urgency of transitioning from fossil fuels to green energy, advocating for justice within and between countries in this transition. He warned that the planet is close to exceeding its capacity to manage emissions, risking surpassing the critical 1.5-degree Celsius limit within six years.

The conference, scheduled from November 30 to December 12, will host over 70,000 delegates globally, aiming to devise solutions to the pressing climate challenges faced by the world.