The most important global meeting of the year on climate change among the nations of the world, COP 28 is being held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and will run until December 12.
COP stands for “Conference of the Parties” to the convention under the umbrella of the United Nations, referring to the convening of member countries every year to determine ambition and responsibilities, and identify and assess climate measures.
The 21st session of the COP led to the Paris Agreement, which mobilized global collective action to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2100, and to act to adapt to the already existing effects of climate change.
The decisions and commitments made in these COP meetings are crucial to dealing with climate change, not only in working together to reduce the use of fossil fuel which is blamed for the excessive warming of the earth, but also to mitigate the damaging impact of climate change, especially among the islands of the world.
Climate crisis a lived reality in the Pacific: King Tupou VI
It is not often that Tonga’s head of state, His Majesty King Tupou VI; as well as the head of government, Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku, together attend an international conference. They were both in Dubai for COP 28, with the King being the first Pacific leader to address a high-level plenary session.
He reminded the conference that climate crisis is a lived reality in the Pacific. The Kingdom of Tonga, for example, is amongst Pacific countries at the immediate forefront of climate change impacts where cyclones, earthquakes, flooding, volcanic eruptions, storm surges, droughts and tsunamis, amongst other weather-related calamities, is their ‘lived reality.’
King Tupou VI said: “The far-reaching impacts of climate change and disasters on human security and mobility displaces more than 50,000 Pacific people every year, due to climate and disaster related events. It is painful for the people of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to see that COP28 may not be the milestone moment we had all been hoping for because our slow progress on the Paris Agreement.”
Collective commitment to triple renewable energy by 2030
In Dubai, the 117 countries in attendance have announced a commitment to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. Powering up renewables is a tremendous development and one that 350.org has outlined as vital in keeping to a 1.5-degree temperature limit.
However, the non-binding Industry Transition Accelerator announced in the same speech as the triple renewable energy does not deliver meaningful steps towards reducing emissions and takes attention away from the need to phase out all fossil fuels, oil, coal, and gas.
Andreas Sieber, 350.org‘s Associate Director of Policy said: “The pledge by 117 countries to triple renewable energy by 2030 is a good start. We should see it as providing momentum, a means not an end, for landing the global target to triple renewable energy by 2030 in the negotiated outcome of COP28. Tripling renewables need to be part of a comprehensive energy package including a decision to phase out fossil fuels, phase in renewables, and support the transition with meaningful climate finance.”
“It is crucial that the global renewable energy transition occurs at the scale and speed necessary and does not exclude wide parts of the Global South substantial support.”
“The COP28 President’s voluntary oil and gas sector initiative unfortunately takes attention away from the need to reduce fossil fuel production and consumption drastically this decade: Rather than committing to reduce the combustion of fossil fuels – the primary driver of climate change – these corporations propose a reduction in “operational emissions” occurring prior to the burning of oil and gas. This selective approach conveniently sidesteps addressing 80-90% of their overall emissions,” Mr. Sieber said.
Demanding greater access to renewable energy
Drue Slatter, Pacific Climate Warrior, said: “Over the last month, the Pacific Climate Warriors have powered up our communities to demand greater access to renewable energy, so this announcement carries great meaning for us. Today’s announcement gives us hope and resolve to continue our fight, but unless there is a formal agreement that puts Global South countries at the center, we will keep pushing and advocating for more.”
“We still need a fossil fuel phase out and we must not transition from one broken system to another. Countries that are historically not responsible for the climate crisis are experiencing the worst climate impacts. We must push governments in rich countries to prioritize renewable energy resources to countries least responsible for the climate crisis and most vulnerable to its impacts.”
Nicolò Wojewoda, 350.org‘s Europe Regional Director said: “UK and EU political support for a substantial renewable energy target cannot come at the expense of supporting an urgent phase out of fossil fuels. A meaningful transition requires us to do both, and the good news is, we can do both.”
“There is enough funding we can unlock by redirecting subsidies from fossil fuels to powering up renewables, while also taxing the wealthy and the polluters, to accelerate that transition rapidly and equitably. European governments’ current funding choices make it clear who they’re siding with – fossil fuel giants headquartered in our regions, over communities in Europe and around the world who are ready to lead a transition to renewable energy for all.”
Zaki Mamdoo, 350. org’s Campaign Coordinator, StopEACOP: “Prevention of the worst impacts of the climate crisis requires strong, global resolve to phase out fossil fuels and put an end to the ongoing exploitation and damage caused by projects like the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).”
“COP28 could be an opportune moment to take decisive action and develop the frameworks needed to deliver a just transition to Africa. Leaders from the continent need to elevate our demands for restorative justice, reparations, and debt cancellation, in order to enable Africa’s shift away from fossil fuels and pursuit of renewable energy alternatives capable of meeting the material needs of all our people.”
Source: Kim Bryan of 350.org