COP28, a term used when discussing climate policy and action refers to the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UNFCCC focuses on combating human interference with the climate system, through the stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere.
The COP is the decision-making body of the UNFCCC and meets every year. Otherwise also known as climate negotiations by many, the COPs represent opportunities for addressing the way forward in addressing much needed measures for addressing climate change. This year marks the 28th COP, which will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 30 November to 12 December.
What makes COP28 important?
COP28 focuses on several key issues which play an important role in building climate resilience in the planet. And among key agenda items for this COP are the Global Stock-take (GST); climate finance and negotiations related to loss and damage, including those focused on the Loss and Damage Fund; the Global Goal on Adaptation; focus on food systems and the agriculture agenda; and work related to just transition.
While these are not the only key areas of negotiations, and all mentioned above are not focused at the same length of analysis in the article, these areas are of high importance in ensuring that climate action can be better implemented and needs of the most vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change can be addressed.
GST
GST focuses on the world’s collective progress towards achieving the goals and purpose of the Paris Agreement. Every five years, the GST will contribute to this assessment and also guide governments in identifying and strengthening climate action, as well as focus on the support needs and international cooperation in achieving the goals and purpose of the Paris Agreement.
A party-driven process, the GST is to be conducted in a transparent manner, enabling countries and stakeholders to better understand the collective progress made, which could also form an opportunity for creating transformative change through climate policy and action.
COP28 marks a key moment for the work related to the GST and is also an indicator of the success of collective efforts related to climate change and achieving the goals under the Paris Agreement.
Global Goal on Adaptation
The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) forms a key component of the adaptation negotiations at the upcoming COP. Established under the Paris Agreement, the GGA focuses on enhancing adaptive capacity and strengthening long term climate resilience.
The work programme on the GGA has eight objectives, which includes also enabling the full and sustained implementation of the Paris Agreement. Work related to the GGA at COP28 will also consider the framework for the GGA which consists of targets and also indicators which could contribute to the work related to adaptation and building collective efforts.
A pivotal area for long-term climate resilience building, the GGA negotiations will mark a main area of which the outcomes will be a key highlight for the upcoming COP.
Loss and Damage Fund and finance
Among key components for COP28 is the outcomes relevant to negotiations on loss and damage. The operationalising of the Loss and Damage Fund and addressing, averting, and minimising climate-induced loss and damage are important focuses related to the upcoming COP, which mark a milestone with regard to support needs for addressing climate change.
COP28’s negotiations on loss and damage will consist of, among others, identifying the way for mobilising and managing climate finance in relation to the Loss and Damage Fund. The operationalisation of the fund which was set up at COP27 forms a milestone for this COP and the meetings of the Transitional Committee which have been conducted over this year are aimed to culminate through the provisions of recommendations and (hopefully) achieving agreement on the next steps for moving forward with the fund.
In addition to the Loss and Damage Fund, the negotiations will also focus on other areas related to climate finance, including mobilising of sufficient as well as scaled-up climate finance.
While the COP process remains party-driven, it also consists of the engagement of multiple stakeholders, including youth, civil society, and the private sector, that aims to ensure the transparent and the accountable nature of the climate negotiations.
(The writer is an Attorney-at-Law specialising in public international law. She leads the work of SLYCAN Trust, a non-profit think tank working on climate change, sustainable development, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, social justice, and animal welfare. She has worked over a decade on climate change at local, national, and international level with a focus on climate change related law and policy, UN climate change policy and actions, UNFCCC negotiations, climate adaptation and loss and damage related action, climate-friendly entrepreneurship, multi-stakeholder engagement in policy, and climate action, including youth engagement and gender)