What is COP28? Dates, Schedule and Everything Else You Need To Know
COP28 is fast approaching, Bazaar Arabia tells all we know so far about the pertinent event
Regardless of where we live in the world, how we were raised or what country we’re from, climate change affects us all; and being mindful about our carbon footprint increase in importance with each passing year. With terms like “climate crisis” and “environmental refugee” being tossed about, it’s completely normal to be more than a little concern about the future of our plan.
This year the UAE will be hosting the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, a.k.a. COP28, which will commence at the end of November.
What is COP28?
The conference occurs each year to evaluate climate measures and put in place proposals going forward with COP21 leading to the formation of the Paris Agreement. The aim of the agreement is to contain global temperature increases to 1.5C.
COP28 is an opportunity for countries to make new commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and invest in climate adaptation and resilience. The conference is expected to focus on a number of key areas including accelerating emissions reductions through a pragmatic energy transition, reform land use, and transform food systems; mobilising solutions for vulnerable countries; promoting innovation and technology transfer to support climate action; and strengthening global cooperation on climate change.
This is the first time the conference has been hosted in the MENA region.
Where is COP28 taking place in Dubai?
This year, COP28, shall be hosted in Dubai’s Expo City, with the aims to take various climate action steps in order to achieve the Paris Agreement goals. Another key aspect is to reduce greenhouse gas emission by 43% by 2030, discussions shall also be held on how to achieve this.
The UAE is the perfect country to host COP28, for many years they have been taking great action leading towards a sustainable future. The UAE was the first country to announce a net-zero goal creating their National Net Zero by 2050 initiative and they were also the first country from the region to provide their consent for the Paris Agreement as outlined on the COP 28 website.
When is COP28?
COP28 will commence on November 30, 2023 and will last for two weeks, finishing on December 11-12, 2023.
What are this year’s themes for COP28?
Currently there is a draft programme of the themes in place for the conference. As described on the COP28 website, the themes have been brought to attention during consultation by stakeholders and shall aim to providing solutions for 2030 and the Global Stocktake. The conference is under the leadership of Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, H.E Shamma Al Mazrui, H.E Razan Al Mubarak and H.E Mariam Almheiri.
COP28 Themes: A Day-By-Day Breakdown
Over the course of two weeks a great range of events shall be in place in relation to the themes at COP28; Bazaar Arabia outlines the themes that have been announced below.
November 30: Opening Day
This will take place at Dubai’s Expo City.
December 1-2: World Climate Action Summit
A discussion regarding climate change will take place between various leaders.
December 3: Health/Relief, Recovery and Peace
New to the COP events, these themes will aim help with policies and investments to support individuals’ lives and communities.
December 4: Finance/Trade/Gender Equality and Accountability Commitments
A discussion surrounding the topic of climate finance and how to approach it going forwards.
December 5: Energy/Industry/Just Transition/Indigenous Peoples
Here a great emphasis is placed on levers and pathways for decarbonization, increase in jobs and many more topics.
December 6: Multilevel Action Urbanization and Built Environment/Transport
This topic is regarding urban areas and looking at their increase in population, economics and greenhouse gas emissions.
December 7: Day of Rest
This day is a common feature for COP events. A time to reflect on what has already been discussed and think about the upcoming events.
December 8: Youth, Children, Education and Skills
The theme is about enabling youth to discuss the outcomes of COP 28 and how to encourage them to take action.
December 9: Nature, Land Use and Ocean
The theme of this day is essential in order to achieve key goals of the Paris Agreement with a focus on conservation, restoration and sustainable management.
December 10: Food, Agriculture and Water
This theme places an emphasis on innovation investment, regenerative agriculture, national transformation pathways, underpinned by financing mechanisms and project preparation. There shall also be a focus on various aspects of water programming.
December 11-12: Final Negotiations
No themes shall be brought up on the last couple of days to wrap up what has already been discussed .
“The UAE has set out on an ambitious pathway to accelerate progress to meeting Net Zero – and I encourage all parties to proactively update their NDCs ahead of COP28. The world can’t wait, we need to work together and act now to keep 1.5C within reach,” Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the President-Designate for COP28, said.
To read more about the themes and events at COP28 visit their website here.
Lead image courtesy of Unsplash