As the annual United Nations climate summit, COP28, begins on November 30 in Dubai, countries are wrestling with critical challenges against the backdrop of a year marked by excessive heat and drought.
Among the most difficult difficulties is the initial assessment of nations' progress toward the 2015 Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global temperature rise to less than 2 degrees Celsius, with a goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The "global stocktake," in which nations strive to build a common plan to comply with climate targets, may necessitate immediate steps to reduce CO2 emissions or boost investments in green technologies. Disagreements develop over the distribution of duties, with a discussion over whether all countries should shoulder greater obligations or primarily the historically highest polluters.
One major topic of debate is the future role of fossil fuels, specifically whether governments will pledge to phase out CO2-emitting coal, oil, and gas. While some countries, such as the United States and the European Union, call for a phase-out of fossil fuels, others, such as Russia, remain opposed.
COP28 also highlights developing CO2 collection and storage technologies, which are preferred by fossil fuel-dependent economies such as the UAE. Concurrently, discussions will focus on ambitious goals to treble renewable energy capacity and double energy savings by 2030, with confrontations predicted over the integration of these goals with fossil fuel phase-outs.
The financial side is significant, with developing countries demanding $200 billion per year by 2030 to tackle climate consequences and establish a "loss and damage" fund, while wealthier countries face scrutiny for meeting their $100 billion per year climate financing pledge.
Outside of official agreements, voluntary measures will be started, including pledges from oil and gas corporations to cut emissions, as well as commitments to reduce greenhouse gas methane emissions, limit air conditioning emissions, and limit private financing for coal plants. The complexities of these problems set the stage for heated debate during COP28.
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