UAE Hosted the 28th UNFCCC COP: Advancing Global Climate Action – Part I

The 28^th edition of Conference of Parties (COP) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Dubai, UAE (United Arabs of Emirates). The annual climate summit was held from November 30, 2023 to December12, 2023. The summit witnessed the participation of more than 70,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries.

• Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE Special Envoy for Climate Changes served as President of COP28.
• UN Climate Change conferences (or COPs) take place every year, and are the world’s only multilateral decision-making forum on climate change with almost complete membership of every country in the world.

COP28 outlined four main objectives:

• To fast-track the energy transition and reduced emissions before 2030.
• To transform climate finance
• To bring nature, people, lives and livelihoods at the centre of climate action.
• To mobilize for the most inclusive COP.

India is the 3^rd highest emitter of Carbon Dioxide from Fossil Fuels

As per the 18^th annual report card on the state of the Global Carbon Budget 2023 by the Global Carbon Project (GCP) , the Global emissions of fossil carbon dioxide (CO₂) will increase by 1.1% in 2023.

• Fossil CO₂ includes emissions from the combustion and use of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) and cement production.
• India is now 3rd largest fossil CO2 emitter in the world.

Top 3 countries of CO₂ emissions are:

i.China accounted 31% of the global total CO₂  emission and it saw increase of 4% compared to 2022 with growth in all fossil fuel sources.

ii.U.S accounted 14% of global total CO₂   emission and saw decline of 3%. U.S. coal emissions are the lowest since 1903.

iii.India contributed 8% of global carbon emission and saw surge of  8.2%  compared to previous year. Emissions for fossil fuel grew by 5% or more and coal contributed highest carbon emission among all fossil fuels at 9.5%.

Key findings of the report:

• The report revealed removals from land-use change such as deforestation and reforestation and human activities are projected to emit 40.9 billion tones of CO₂ in 2023.
• The report highlighted the urgent need to take immediate action as it mentioned, the remaining carbon budget for one-in-two chance to limit warming to 1.5 degree Celsius will exceed in 7 years and 1.7 degree Celsius in 15 years.
• Emissions of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) from fossil fuels now contributed about 90% of all CO₂ emissions from human activities.
• During the decade of 2013-2022, total 26 countries saw a declining trend of fossil CO₂ emission while their economies continue to grow. The list includes countries like: Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The U.K. and U.S.A and many more.
• Top 3 countries which contributed 55% of net global CO₂ emissions from land-use change are: Brazil, Indonesia and The Democratic Republic of Congo.

Global Climate Report declared 2023 as Hottest Year on Record

WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) released the provisional state of the Global Climate Report at the 28^th COP meeting in Dubai, UAE.

• The year 2023 recorded 1.4 degree Celsius higher than pre- industrial levels (1850-1900) according to the data collected till October, 2023.
• It is considerably more than year 2016 which recorded 1.29 degree Celsius. Thus, Year 2023 declared as the warmest year ever.
• The years 2015-2023 were the nine warmest years on record.
• Three main greenhouses which contributed maximum increase in global temperature were: Carbon dioxide, Methane and Nitrous Oxide.

COP28 Approves “Loss and Damage” Fund worth USD 260 Million

One of the main outcomes of COP28 on Climate Change is that, nearly all the participating countries agreed to create “Loss and Damage” fund which will help vulnerable countries to cope with extreme weather conditions.

• Rich and Developed countries pledged at least USD 260 million to fund the program.

• Dubai and Germany pledged to contribute USD 100 million each, followed by U.K. committed USD 50 million, Japan committed USD 10.5 million and The U.S. (United States) pledged USD 17.5 million.
• The Fund will be administered by World Bank.

About Loss and Damage Fund:

Loss and Damage Fund is a global financial initiative compensating nations disproportionately affected by climate change. Rich nations, responsible for emissions, contribute to aid vulnerable countries facing severe environmental consequences.

• The Loss and Damage Fund was 1^st announced during COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
• The initial funding is estimated to be USD 475 million where UAE pledged USD 100 million and The European Union (EU) pledged USD 275 million.

Need of Loss and Damage Fund

• Research shows that 55 vulnerable countries have suffered USD 525 billion and the number is estimated to reach USD 580 million per year by 2030.

134 countries signed the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture at COP28

During a special session of the World Climate Action Summit(WCAS) which held on the sidelines of COP28, announced UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action.

• 134 countries which produced 70% of the world’s food signed the first of its kind landmark declaration. The declaration committed to integrate food into their climate plans by 2025.

 Key announcements:             

• The UAE in partnership with Bill and Melinda Gates foundation launched USD 200 million funds focused on agriculture research and funding technical assistance.
• The UAE will join the CGIAR (Consultative Group International Agricultural Research), group of international organisations engaged in research about food security, resilience and climate adaptation.

Action Agenda on Regenerative Landscapes:
The programme is launched by COP28UAE together with World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the Boston Consulting Group (BG).
Aim: To scale regenerative agriculture, transitioning 160 million hectares to regenerative agriculture by 2030 with initial investment of USD 2.2 billion and engaging 3.6 million farmers at the global level.

Yearbook of Global Climate Action 2023: Pace of Change Needs to Speed Up

7^th edition of Yearbook of Global Climate Action released at UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai, UAE. This yearbook provides comprehensive overview of the progress, trends and challenges climate action taken by non-party stakeholders.

• The study recognized the collective efforts of countries and private entities to mitigate effects of climate change are more than ever before but the pace required to limit rise of average global temperature to 1.5 degree Celsius is not sufficient.
• The Yearbook reveals that the Global Climate Action Portal, a platform monitoring worldwide climate initiatives, now has more than  32,000 registered participants—an increase of around 6% from the 2022 and nearly six times higher than the 2015 count.
• Global Stocktake: It measures the progress of member countries with respect to their set commitments in Paris Climate Change Agreement(2015).

COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health Signed by 123 Countries

The COP28 UAE along with WHO (World Health Organisation) unveiled the “COP28 UAE declaration on Climate and Health”. It was signed by 123 countries while India (one of the highest greenhouse gas emitter) refrained from signing the declaration, citing impracticality and the potential impact on the country’s health infrastructure.

• The declaration proposed the investment of USD 1 billion for climate and health. The fund will be supported by Rockefeller Foundation, Green Climate Fund, Asian Development Bank and Global Fund.

• The declaration demanded to put curb on greenhouse gas use for cooling in the health sector.
• Note – Model, filmmaker, actress and activist Dia Mirza from India is an advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals and a UNEP Goodwill Ambassador championing clean air, clean seas, wildlife protection and climate action.She has participated in the event at COP28.

COP28 Presidency unveiled “COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate Relief, Recovery and Peace”

The COP28 Presidency unveiled COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate Relief, Recovery and Peace on December 3, 2023 in Dubai, UAE.

Objective: It focuses on accelerating global efforts to make fragile and conflict-affected countries more resilient from the impact of climate change.

Key Points:

• The Declaration received the support of 74 member nations and 40 organisations.
• Later, “Getting Ahead of Disasters Charter” was introduced. It frames guidelines for collective efforts to mitigate climate related risks and safeguard vulnerable communities.
• COP28 UAE, IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) and the UN hosted the head of states of countries in the Horn of Africa to introduce their regional climate security strategy.
• COP28 UAE in partnership with the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres set to mobilize new support for Early Warnings for All. Its main aim is to cover 100% of the globe with early warning systems by 2027.

CHD Group from India led Global delegation at COP28 in UAE

Center for Health & Development (CHD Group), a public health organization headquartered at Manguluru,Karnataka will lead international delegation at the COP28 meeting of UNFCCC in Dubai. This for the 1^st time ever “Health” took centre stage in the history of UNFCCC and COP meetings.

• CHD Group composed of seven-member delegation of experts from South Asia, Africa and Iran to the blue zone of the high-level meetings. It will hold discussions on various issues such as: public health consequences of climate change, just energy transition, fossil fuel reduction and food security concerns with different stakeholders around the globe.
• Dr. Edmond Fernandes (founder and CEO of CHD Group) will highlight the importance of reducing carbon emissions and promoting food distribution at the UN Founder Pavilion.

UAE Unveils World’s largest single-site Solar Power Plant

UAE inaugurated the 2-GW (Gigawatt) Al Dhafra Solar Photovoltaic(PV) Independent Power Project(IPP) situated few Kilometers (Kms) away from Abu Dhabi, UAE. Now, it has become the world’s largest single site solar power plant just in time for COP28.

Objective: It aims to generate electricity for nearly 2 lakh houses and will further help to reduce carbon emission by displacing 2.4 million tones of carbon annually.

• The project is a significant step towards UAE’s Transition to Clean Energy. It aims to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030.
• Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) developed the project along with its partners Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), EDF Renewables and JinkoPower. Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) is the procurement firm.

About UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Established In – 1992
Headquarters – Bonn, Germany
Executive Secretary – Mr. Simon Stiell
Note – Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty under the UNFCCC that aims to limit global warming well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius.