What can COP28UAE Achieve

COP28, the 28th session of the Conference of Parties, is a United Nations Climate Change Conference that will be held in Dubai in November 2023. The conference aims to address several issues, including a review of the Paris Agreement, an agreement on a global goal for climate adaptation, and the establishment of a finance facility for loss and damage due to climate change. Let's consider some potential impacts that COP28 could achieve globally:

• Oil and gas industry: COP28 presents a unique opportunity for the oil and gas industry to demonstrate a real commitment to cutting emissions and show the world that it can make a positive contribution to tackling climate change. The International Energy Agency (IEA) will publish a special report ahead of COP28 that will help map out a path for oil and gas producers in the transition to net-zero emissions.
• Climate action: COP28 can become a watershed where COP meetings transition from multilateral negotiations to bold decision-making to advance climate action. The conference has the potential to achieve a breakthrough that charts a new way forward, but this promise could only be fulfilled if COP28 avoids getting mired in a debate over the role of fossil fuels in the global energy transition that leads to another impasse over a phaseout.
• Economic opportunities: The UAE, which is hosting COP28, plans to make climate action a pillar of its domestic and foreign policy and national economic strategy. The country has invested more than $50 billion into scaling clean energy globally and pledged another $50 billion by 2030. By hosting COP28, the UAE hopes to leverage its experience and capacity to support and increase global climate ambition, while maximizing the economic benefits both regionally and globally.
• Energy system transformation: COP28 can be a critical turning point for energy system transformation and climate ambition. The conference will offer a unique moment to measure progress on critical changes in climate policy, on a stage set in the Middle East and hosted for the first time by a petrostate that is supplying energy that much of the world purports to shun but continues to consume in staggering quantities.
• Ocean-based solutions: Ocean-based solutions to climate change, food security, and energy stability will receive greater recognition in 2023, including work at COP28.

Overall, COP28 has the potential to achieve significant impacts globally, from advancing climate action to transforming the energy system and leveraging economic opportunities. However, much will depend on the decisions made at the conference and the commitments made by participating countries and industries.

How has the UAE prepared for this conference?

• Establishment of a Ministry of Climate Change and Environment: The UAE government has established a Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to address climate change and promote sustainable development. This ministry can help coordinate climate action efforts and ensure that climate considerations are integrated into all aspects of government policy.
• Diverse leadership team: The UAE has announced a diverse leadership team for COP28 that is focused on raising global climate ambition. This team includes individuals with expertise in climate policy, renewable energy, and sustainable development, which can help ensure that the conference addresses a wide range of climate-related issues.
• Leveraging economic opportunities: The UAE's pitch to host COP28 seeks to elevate its efforts to make climate action a pillar of its national economic strategy. By leveraging economic opportunities, the UAE can demonstrate that climate action can be compatible with economic growth and development.
• Promoting regional climate action: The UAE's push to make climate action a pillar of its domestic and foreign policy can also help promote regional climate action in the Middle East, which is the world's hottest, driest, and most water-scarce region. By demonstrating that climate action is possible in this challenging environment, the UAE can inspire other countries in the region to take action on climate change.

What role can civil society and non-governmental organizations play in advancing climate action at #cop28uae?

Civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can play a crucial role in advancing climate action at COP28. Here are some ways I feel they can contribute:

• Advocacy and pressure: Civil society and NGOs can use their voice and influence to advocate for ambitious climate action and put pressure on governments and industries to take action. They can organize protests, petitions, and other forms of activism to raise awareness and demand action on climate change.
• Expertise and knowledge: Civil society and NGOs often have expertise and knowledge on specific climate-related issues, such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation. They can share this knowledge with policymakers and other stakeholders to inform decision-making and promote effective climate action.
• Inclusive participation: Civil society and NGOs can ensure that the voices of marginalized communities and those most affected by climate change are heard and included in the decision-making process. They can advocate for inclusive participation in climate negotiations and ensure that the perspectives of women, Indigenous peoples, youth, and people living with disabilities are taken into account.
• Collaboration and partnerships: Civil society and NGOs can collaborate with governments, industries, and other stakeholders to promote climate action. They can form partnerships to develop and implement climate solutions, share best practices, and build capacity.
• Monitoring and accountability: Civil society and NGOs can monitor the implementation of climate policies and hold governments and industries accountable for their commitments. They can track progress on climate action, report on successes and failures, and advocate for stronger action when necessary.

The reality is civil society and NGOs can play a critical role in advancing climate action at COP28 by advocating for ambitious action, sharing expertise and knowledge, promoting inclusive participation, forming partnerships, and monitoring and holding?

Great to see that there are a host of events or forums at COP28 where civil society organizations can engage with delegates and decision-makers - here are just a few:

• Civil Society and Youth Day: COP28 will have a dedicated Civil Society and Youth Day, which will provide a platform for civil society organizations and youth to engage with delegates and decision-makers. This day will feature a range of events, including workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
• Green Digital Action: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is organizing a Green Digital Action event at COP28, which will bring together technology industries with governments and civil society. This event will focus on the role of digital technologies in advancing climate action and will feature a range of speakers and panel discussions.
• Exhibition and side events: COP28 will have an exhibition and side events where civil society organizations can showcase their work and engage with delegates and decision-makers. These events will provide an opportunity for civil society organizations to share their expertise and knowledge on specific climate-related issues and promote their solutions and initiatives.
• WHO Collaboration with Civil Society: The World Health Organization (WHO) is collaborating with civil society organizations and the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) Health Systems Connector (ATACH) in preparation for COP28. This collaboration will provide an opportunity for civil society organizations to engage with WHO and contribute to the development of health-related climate policies.

These opportunities can help civil society organizations advocate for ambitious climate action, share their expertise and knowledge, and promote their solutions and initiatives.

What do I wish for?

• Potential for a breakthrough: COP28 has the potential to become a watershed where COP meetings transition from multilateral negotiations to bold decision-making to advance climate action. The conference can achieve a breakthrough that charts a new way forward, but this promise could only be fulfilled if COP28 avoids getting mired in a debate over the role of fossil fuels in the global energy transition that leads to another impasse over a phaseout.
• Investment in clean energy: The UAE has invested more than $50 billion into scaling clean energy globally and pledged another $50 billion by 2030. This investment can help accelerate the transition to renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Opportunity for collaboration: COP28 can provide an opportunity for collaboration between governments, industries, and civil society organizations to promote climate action. Civil society organizations can engage with delegates and decision-makers through various events and forums, including Civil Society and Youth Day, Green Digital Action, exhibition and side events, and WHO Collaboration with Civil Society.

While there are challenges and controversies surrounding COP28, there are also reasons to be optimistic about the conference. The UAE's commitment to climate action, diverse leadership team, the potential for a breakthrough, investment in clean energy, and opportunity for collaboration can all contribute to advancing climate action at the conference.

Despite the potential for COP28 to achieve significant progress on climate action, there are also several challenges that could prevent the conference from achieving its goals. Here are some of the challenges that need a clear risk mitigation strategy:

• Implementation gap: One of the primary challenges confronting COP28 is bridging the implementation gap between negotiated agreements and real-world action. This gap has been a persistent issue in previous COP meetings and could hinder progress on climate action.
• The debate over the role of fossil fuels: The potential for COP28 to become a watershed where COP meetings transition from multilateral negotiations to bold decision-making to advance climate action could be hindered by a debate over the role of fossil fuels in the global energy transition that leads to another impasse over a phaseout.
• Lack of ambition: Climate scientists are warning that we are off target on climate action, and there is a risk that COP28 could fail to deliver the decisive action needed to address the climate crisis.
• Inadequate climate finance: Climate finance is critical for supporting developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. However, there are concerns that the level of climate finance pledged by developed countries is inadequate to meet the needs of developing countries.

While progress on climate action is possible, it will require overcoming significant challenges and addressing issues such as the implementation gap, controversial appointments, the role of fossil fuels, lack of ambition, and inadequate climate finance.

How can COP28 balance the need for bold decision-making with practical implementation?

Balancing the need for bold decision-making with the practical realities of implementing climate action is a significant challenge for COP28. how can COP28 address these challenges:

• Inclusive participation: COP28 can ensure that all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, youth, and marginalized communities, are included in the decision-making process. This can help ensure that the practical realities of implementing climate action are taken into account.
• Collaboration and partnerships: COP28 can promote collaboration and partnerships between governments, industries, and civil society organizations to promote climate action. By working together, stakeholders can develop and implement practical solutions that balance the need for bold decision-making with the practical realities of implementation.
• Innovative financing mechanisms: COP28 can explore innovative financing mechanisms, such as green bonds and climate risk insurance, to support the implementation of climate action. These mechanisms can help bridge the gap between negotiated agreements and real-world action.
• Technology and innovation: COP28 can leverage technology and innovation to support the implementation of climate action. For example, the Green Digital Action event at COP28 will focus on the role of digital technologies in advancing climate action.
• Clear and measurable targets: COP28 can establish clear and measurable targets for climate action, which can help ensure that bold decision-making is translated into real-world action.

Balancing the need for bold decision-making with the practical realities of implementing climate action is a significant challenge for COP28. However, by promoting inclusive participation, collaboration and partnerships, innovative financing mechanisms, technology and innovation, and clear and measurable targets, the conference can address this challenge and advance climate action.

There are also some potential trade-offs between bold decision-making and practical implementation of climate action, and how can COP28 navigate these

• Ambition vs. feasibility: One potential trade-off is between ambitious climate action and the feasibility of implementing that action. COP28 can navigate this trade-off by setting clear and measurable targets for climate action that are both ambitious and feasible. This can help ensure that bold decision-making is translated into real-world action.
• Inclusion vs. efficiency: Another potential trade-off is between inclusive participation and efficient decision-making. COP28 can navigate this trade-off by ensuring that all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, youth, and marginalized communities, are included in the decision-making process, while also ensuring that the decision-making process is efficient and effective.
• Climate action vs. economic growth: A third potential trade-off is between climate action and economic growth. COP28 can navigate this trade-off by promoting just energy transition partnerships that ensure that the transition to renewable energy is fair and equitable for all. This can help demonstrate that climate action can be compatible with economic growth and development.
• Bold decision-making vs. political realities: A fourth potential trade-off is between bold decision-making and the political realities of negotiating climate agreements. COP28 can navigate this trade-off by promoting collaboration and partnerships between governments, industries, and civil society organizations to promote climate action. By working together, stakeholders can develop and implement practical solutions that balance the need for bold decision-making with the political realities of negotiating climate agreements.

The elephant in the room

The appointment of Sultan Al Jaber, the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), as the President-Designate of COP28 has garnered criticism from climate activists and civil society groups.

However, I would suggest we look at the counter-argument that Al Jaber is exactly the right person to lead the conference, given his experience in climate action and his commitment to renewable energy.

• .Experience in climate action: Al Jaber has been spearheading the UAE's climate action well before and during his tenure as the head of ADNOC. He has been involved in several initiatives to promote renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Commitment to renewable energy: Al Jaber is the founding CEO of Masdar, a renewable energy company in Abu Dhabi. He has also set ambitious targets to reduce the UAE's carbon footprint and increase its use of renewable energy.
• Balancing act: The appointment of Al Jaber reflects the complex balancing act the UAE is trying to manage as the oil exporter prepares for a renewable future. The UAE is committed to reducing its own economy's use of oil while at the same time leveraging its experience and capacity to support and increase global climate ambition.
• Business mindset: Al Jaber aims to take a more businesslike approach to COP28, which could help bridge the gap between negotiated agreements and real-world action. This approach could help ensure that the practical implementation of climate action does not compromise the urgency of the situation.

I'm wildly optimistic that #COP28UAE could be a watershed moment but it will take bold, decisive, and planet-saving leadership. I can't wait to see the event unfold and the future of our planet be better for it.