COP28 in Dubai: Have International Climate Conferences Made a Difference?
The COP28 climate summit in Dubai saw numerous nations, including the United States, France, the UK, Belgium, Finland, Japan, Poland, Sweden, and Ukraine, sign a joint declaration, emphasizing the importance of renewable energy expansion. Notably absent from the agreement were Russia, China, and Germany, leaning towards phasing out nuclear power and continuing coal-fired plants.
Understanding the COP
The United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) is a global platform where countries gather to discuss climate change policies, set goals, and collaborate on implementing successful strategies to combat global warming. The first COP convened in Berlin in 1995, and since then, the event has taken place annually, inviting representatives from 198 countries. The purpose of these annual gatherings is to review climate policy and finance climate protection initiatives in developing countries.
The Focus in Dubai
Supporting Vulnerable Countries
Dubai's COP28 focused on offering compensation to nations severely impacted by climate change. However, the main focus rests on the global expansion of renewable energies. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged attendees to adopt a binding agreement, aiming to triple energy from sun, wind, and water by 2030. Scholz emphasized:
"Let's make the expansion of renewable energies the number one energy policy priority - worldwide!"
Challenges and Criticism
COP28 negotiations face obstacles, as not all countries share an equal interest in rapid de-carbonization. Resource-rich countries like Saudi Arabia have historically hindered transitions away from coal, oil, and gas.
Furthermore, the COP itself has been accused of being an immense CO2 emitter, with an estimated 70,000 attendees traveling to and from the conference. In addition, the United Arab Emirates, host nation, derives significant income from fossil fuel exports, making criticism of their environmental policy rather acute.
Has COP Ever Delivered Results?
To some extent, COP gatherings have yielded significant achievements. For instance, the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, and the Paris Agreement in 2015, both set ambitious targets for emissions reductions, aiming to minimize the global average temperature rise. Nevertheless, annual greenhouse gas emissions have continued to rise despite these agreements. However, the rate of increase has slowed significantly since the resolutions were implemented.
Altering the Critique
While COP summits have been subject to criticism, they remain the only viable platform for global collaboration on climate change. Politicians suggest alternative measures, such as enforcing green-helmeted police officers to enforce climate targets, but this approach is widely seen as unsustainable and unrealistic.
In conclusion, COP meetings serve as a catalyst for progress in the global climate change battle, paving the way for international agreements and fostering collaboration on reduction strategies. While the success of these initiatives has seen mixed results, the need for continued action remains undeniable.
[1] "Paris Agreement - United Nations Climate Change." (n.d.).
[2] "Kyoto Protocol." (n.d.).
[3] "COP27 Sharm El Sheikh Outcome." (2022, Nov 18).
[4] "COP29." (2023, Nov 12-18).
[5] "Greenhouse gas emissions and climate change." (n.d.).
