COP28 President-Designate HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber plans to focus on course correction and creating an inclusive summit
Set against the first Global Stocktake, the COP28 Presidency has announced its two-week thematic program, geared towards real world solutions that close the gaps to 2030.
This November, the UAE is all set to host the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change or COP28 to work towards global agreement on bold, practical and ambitious solutions to the most pressing global challenge of our time.
The #COP28 Presidency has announced its two-week thematic program, geared towards real world solutions that close the gaps to 2030 and respond to the #GlobalStocktake. pic.twitter.com/T2DTONV9fT
— COP28 UAE (@COP28_UAE) July 14, 2023
This year is of particular significance as it marks the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake, a comprehensive assessment of the progress made in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Acknowledging that the world is off-track, COP28 President-Designate HE Dr Sultan Al Jaber has spoken of keeping the 1.5C goal alive, and establishing measures to bridge the gaps in progress.
Additionally, Sustainable agriculture will also feature prominently on the agenda at COP28, where participants will seek to spur innovation in how food is grown and produced.
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The Presidency has taken an innovative and inclusive approach to the COP28 thematic program, as the first Presidency to hold an open consultation on thematic areas and sequencing.
The program highlights the sectors and topics raised by stakeholders during consultations, including the themes which need to be part of the COP agenda each year, and new, essential topics like health, trade and relief, recovery, and peace.
The thematic days programming incorporates four cross-cutting themes that underpin effective, interconnected delivery: Technology & Innovation, Inclusion, Frontline Communities and Finance.
At the Global Energy Forum, Dr Sultan Al Jaber also spoke of the following priority areas
Mitigation
- Work to triple renewable energy generation from 8 to 23 TW hours by 2030.
- More than double low-carbon hydrogen production to at least 180 million tons for hard-to-abate sectors.
- Transform food and agriculture systems through a greater investment in agri-tech, smarter water use and food production in an accelerated time frame.
- Work with the energy industry to accelerate decarbonization, reduce methane and expand hydrogen.
Adaptation
- Protect the most vulnerable communities and most critical systems from extreme weather and biodiversity loss.
- Protect the rain forests and invest in nature-based solutions, such as mangroves, which act as powerful carbon sinks while protecting coastlines and preserving natural ecosystems.
- Ensure that our global food system is resilient to the changing weather patterns which threaten farmers around the world.
- Double adaptation finance for the Global South to $40 billion annually by 2025.
Finance
- Make climate finance more affordable and accessible.
- Ensure that every concessional dollar is matched by $2 or $3 worth of private capital.
- Answer the call from the international community for an inclusive reform of the multilateral development banks and international financial institutions.
- To encourage this process, the UAE, as chair of the World Bank-IMF Development Committee, intends to play a proactive, supportive and facilitating role.
Loss and Damage
- Help the most vulnerable to rebuild after climate-related disasters.
- Together with the international community, build on the progress made in Sharm El Sheikh to fully operationalize the loss-and-damage fund.
Opening Day
30 November
The 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will open in Dubai.
World Climate Action Summit
1-2 December
Heads of state and governments, alongside leaders of business, youth, indigenous peoples’ organisations, frontline communities and other sectors will discuss concrete actions and plans to scale climate actions. The summit serves as an important platform for major announcements.
Health / Relief, Recovery, and Peace
3 December
These two themes are newly introduced to the COPs and aim to boost policies and investments that protect lives and livelihoods and boost community resilience. COP28 will also host the first Health Day and climate-health ministerial to boost priority actions for the health system’s response.
The Relief, Recovery, and Peace Day will focus on accelerating adaptation among other things that prevent access to climate finance.
Finance / Trade / Gender Equality / Accountability
4 December
With an over-arching goal to boost private sector financing, the focus is on transforming all the above sectors, introduce trade, focus on gender-responsive policymaking, and increase transparency on promises and pledges to turn into tangible results.
Energy and Industry / Just Transition / Indigenous Peoples
5 December
Key topics will include decarbonisation, investing in renewable energy sources, mitigating heavy emitters, etc. Indigenous Peoples’ will be recognised for climate stewardship, with discourse on inclusivity and access to finance.
Multilevel Action, Urbanisation, and Built Environment/Transport
6 December
COP28 will historically feature government officials, mayors, governors, parliamentarians, businessmen and more to investigate accelerating climate action, particularly focusing on urban areas.
Day of Rest
7 December
Traditionally incorporating a day to reflect and recharge for the week ahead.
Youth, Children, Education, and Skills
8 December
Considering the disproportionate risks from climate change for the youth, the demographic will evaluate inclusion across the board to shape the outcomes of COP28 and beyond.
Nature, Land Use, and Oceans
9 December
Integral to achieving the Paris Agreement goals, the day will focus on transforming mechanisms to achieve sustainability across nature, land use, and oceans.
Food, Agriculture, and Water
10 December
The day will focus on the adverse impact of climate change on agriculture and water, its availability, and underlining ways going forward to improve the same.
Final Negotiations
1-12 December
The final two days will avoid themes and focus on negotiation text being closed.
For more information, visit cop28.com
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