COP28 – historic or not far enough?

You will all have likely seen the headlines about the “historic” deal to end Cop 28 that, for the first time, committed to transitioning away from fossil fuels. Butterfly Conservation absolutely welcomes the recognition that the world needs to change, but we remain concerned about what was not in the final documents.

To quote the Financial Times – hardly a bastion of environmental thoughts:

“The outcome is very far from perfect. It is better than feared but less than needed. It bows too much to the forces of international diplomacy and too little to the immovable realities of science.”

The main things missing are any plan for delivery or any enforcement mechanisms if countries choose not to follow up on their commitments.

Climate change driven by human activity poses a major global threat to wildlife and to the ecosystem on which people depend. Substantial effects of climate change on butterfly and moth populations are already evident in the UK with loss of species, changes in species range, life-cycle, and increased migratory species, both positive and potentially harmful.

A NetZero Transition is crucial for our environment and wildlife, and Butterfly Conservation was one of 400 signatories who wrote to the Prime Minister in September when the Government announced that it was rolling back previously agreed transition targets.

Butterfly Conservation CEO, Julie Williams, said:

“We welcome the recent COP28 outcomes and the historic recognition of the damage we are continuing to do to our environment and our children’s future. We see the effects of the climate and nature crisis every day. We know urgent action is needed to save species and our environment and we know stronger and more effective policy is needed right now. We hope that the COP declaration will convince the UK Government to recommit to effective leadership on climate change and the implementation of meaningful actions and targets.”

Frances Winder, Policy Manager for Butterfly Conservation