The thorny road before COP28

SGGP 06/07/2023 07:03

Bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change based in the western German city of Bonn have begun their annual consultations in preparation for the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28).

Urgent

The consultation, which runs from June 5 to 15, is considered an important annual “intermediary negotiation” in preparation for COP28 (which will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from November 30 to December 12), and is expected to be attended by more than 5,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries.

The discussion will focus on the implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, progress and limitations in the fight against global warming. Financing for climate change and energy transition plans, as well as compensation for countries affected by climate change, will also be discussed at this year's consultation.

Melting ice in Antarctica due to climate change leads to flooding and salinization in many parts of the world.

In her opening remarks at the consultation, State Secretary and Special Representative for International Climate Policy of the German Government, Ms. Jennifer Morgan, emphasized that in order to prepare for the success of COP28, this consultation aims to build a broad coalition for ambitious global climate policy, aiming to achieve breakthrough decisions.

Ms. Morgan cited the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in March showing that the world's efforts to protect the environment and combat climate change have not been as effective as expected. Therefore, urgent action is needed to adjust the roadmap to achieve the goal of limiting global temperature increase to below 1.5oC.

Lack of agenda

The UN climate talks in Germany currently have no agenda and therefore no specific objectives for the COP28 conference in Dubai, a senior negotiator said.

Despite months of discussions since the previous COP27 in Egypt, there has been no agreement on the adoption of the agendas proposed by the COP's permanent bodies for the Bonn conference, according to Nabeel Munir, chair of the UN's implementing body.

Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, said the lack of an agenda in Bonn would affect COP28, which could be the most important conference on climate change since the world pledged to cut emissions in 2015.

At COP27 in Egypt, more than 80 countries called for a reduction in all fossil fuel use. Asked whether COP28 would keep phasing out fossil fuels on the agenda, Stiell said that halving emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050 would require deep cuts or the elimination of all fossil fuels.

According to him, the world is at a “tipping point” in the climate crisis, requiring all countries to put national interests aside to fight for the common good, especially when experts recently warned that temperatures are likely to exceed 1.5oC above pre-industrial levels within the next 5 years.

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