The COP28 in Dubai begins in three days. Anyone familiar with this conference series knows that perhaps the biggest challenge for visitors is keeping track of everything. This is difficult for everyone, and the bigger the event, the worse it is. That’s why we’ve put together this information pack for everyone traveling to the event – and even more so for those staying home. It will help you with your planning for the climate conference.
We offer some guidance on the many issues being negotiated or simply discussed. We highlight ten key questions that will be raised and perhaps answered in front of and behind the scenes. We list who will be attending – and who will not. And we provide you with a brief timetable for the conference days.
And from next Thursday, we will be there for you every day. Our three-member team in Dubai and our editorial team in Berlin will be following the COP and providing exclusive information, insights, background and context that you won’t find anywhere else.
We look forward to an exciting time and hope you enjoy our briefing.
COP28, the most important UN climate conference since the Paris Summit 2015, is being held in Dubai this year. For the first time, around 200 states of the UNFCCC framework convention will officially review their efforts in the form of the Global Stocktake (GST) and lay important foundations for future measures. The host, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is expecting up to 70,000 visitors from all over the world to attend the conference from 30 November to 12 December. Here is an overview of key topics.
Officially, the Global Stocktake (GST) is intended to result in a legally binding decision by the conference: What it contains and what future framework conditions it will lay down will be hotly contested until the very last minute. After all, they will be reflected in the next national climate plans (NDCs), submitted in 2025.
As in previous years, COP28 will feature a thematic focus each day and an extensive program of side events, forums, summits and presentations: For example, special themed days will focus on energy, technology, species conservation, youth and indigenous peoples. For the first time, health will also be in the spotlight and there will be a special summit on climate efforts by cities and municipalities.
While not on the official agenda, geopolitical crises will be hotly debated: The conference kicks off with the “Climate Action Summit” of many heads of state and government, who will also exchange views on geopolitics on the sidelines of the meeting. The war in Gaza and the Russian invasion of Ukraine will dominate the atmosphere, as will the tensions between the USA and China, the global inflation and debt crisis and the alarm signals of the climate crisis.
Climate.Table will provide the latest reports on key topics at COP28, as well as background articles summarizing what is currently happening at the conference. A brief overview of all important topics at COP 28:
The goal of tripling the global capacity of renewables by 2030 and doubling energy efficiency: Both of these topics are on the conference agenda and are supposed to advance the global energy transition.
A decision to phase out or phase down fossil fuel use. This will be one of the most controversial issues because it directly affects the business model of the host country, the UAE.
Financial issues will also cause debates: The 100 billion US dollars in climate aid promised by developed countries to the Global South is set to be achieved after a delay, but details and future prospects are still controversial.
The structure of the loss and damage fund agreed upon at COP27 is practically finished. Now, it’s a matter of who will fill it and with how much capital.
Health in connection with climate change will be given broad attention for the first time. An alliance of scientists, countries and civil society wants to campaign for a greater awareness of the risks the climate crisis poses for everyone.
Forest conservation will also be given a prominent role. Ending deforestation has often been declared, but never implemented. After all, without putting a stop to forest destruction, there will be no chance of achieving the 1.5-degree target. However, it remains uncertain whether the issue will be part of the official decisions in Dubai.
During COP28, Climate.Table will provide further background articles on current issues.
It’s easy to lose track of things at a climate conference. Especially when the event is as gigantic as COP28 in Dubai. Around 70,000 participants are expected. In addition to the “blue zone” with the actual negotiations, a “green zone” will host the side events where think tanks, lobbies, countries and cities, environmental associations and scientific organizations will present their work.
On and behind the official stages, several debates will shape the conference. They will decide whether the outcome of COP28 will be more or less ambitious – but they may also have consequences far beyond it. Even if a climate conference lands in one part of the world like a UN spaceship for a fortnight, it does not take place in a vacuum: The delegations and influential forces bring their very own interests to the COP. They represent and influence developments and opinions that apply before the conference and seldom change quickly afterward.
These issues will dominate COP28 – at the official conference, in hallways or elsewhere:
The war between the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas and the Israeli army in Gaza looms over COP28. Israel is a member of the UNFCCC and participates in the negotiations. Pro-Palestinian groups have already announced protests – but UN rules prohibit them on the conference grounds. Before the war broke out, rumors circulated that the conference might be postponed in the event of an escalation, but this is no longer the case.
Apart from generally heightened tensions, the war poses a risk for the negotiations: As Israel is perceived as part of the Global North and most countries of the Global South side with the Palestinians, the conflict could be interpreted as part of the North-South conflict over development opportunities and historical responsibility – which was not the case with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result, last year’s COP remained practically untouched by the conflict.
The appointment of Sultan al Jaber, Industry Minister of the UAE and head of the oil company Adnoc, as COP President has been widely criticized: The accusation is that oil and gas interests would dominate the climate conference. The UAE, however, has a different narrative: It claims to have set out for a future of renewables. The hope is that they can pull other coal oil and gas-based economies along with them. How much al Jaber, in his capacity as COP President, can make concessions to both sides and demand progress from them in return will determine whether real progress is made on the core issues.
So far, it is clear that only the UN countries that were considered developed countries (“Annex I”) when the Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted in 1992 are paying for climate action, adaptation and technology transfer. However, because the world has changed since, and countries such as Korea, Singapore, Mexico, possibly China and some oil states such as Saudi Arabia have become rich countries with high carbon emissions in absolute and per capita terms, developed countries have openly started wondering: When will they start paying?
For instance, the new loss and damage fund (LDF) explicitly leaves the financing issue open. But if, say, the UAE as host wants to seal a deal on the last night and secure the money for the LDF, the system could slip. The consequences would be grave: Once this line has been crossed, an international debate would start about who can provide what financial aid, when, and for what reasons.
The COP traditionally only makes progress when the two biggest global polluters come to an agreement: The Paris Agreement was put on track a year earlier by US-China cooperation. However, the political and economic tensions between Beijing and Washington have also slowed climate cooperation in recent years. Since the meeting between Presidents Xi and Biden in California in November, it is at least clear that they are talking to each other again, they want to cooperate and even extend the national climate targets to all sectors, something China has so far refused to do. It remains to be seen whether this slight thaw will be enough to smooth over other differences (such as the coal phase-out called for by the United States, which goes against China’s interests).
Very few things have put such a strain on negotiations in recent years as the broken promise by developed countries to mobilize 100 billion dollars annually for climate efforts in the Global South after 2020. As the OECD recently announced, the amount was 89.6 billion in 2021, and according to preliminary data, it “looks likely to have already been met as of 2022.” Whether the emerging economies will accept this as a positive trend remains to be seen.
It also will be interesting to see whether they accept the announced reform of the World Bank towards greater sustainability as, at least, the beginning of a fundamental reform of the global financial system. This was outlined by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s Bridgetown Initiative. This demand has been voiced repeatedly since COP27.
There was exciting news from the energy markets in the run-up to COP28: Has the world truly reached the carbon peak in 2023? And are we really seeing “peak coal” in 2023, “peak gas” in 2024 and “peak oil” in 2025 if the current growth trends of EVs and renewables continue? And what does that mean? Continued record profits for fossil fuel producers? And will these companies end up investing their profits in renewables and future hydrogen technology – which would accelerate their market ramp-up? At least the energy agency IEA and the oil organization OPEC publicly argue about the end of the fossil fuel boom.
A “Global Goal on Adaptation” (GGA) will be adopted at the next COP. This debate already casts its long shadow – partly because, unlike the 1.5-degree target, it is unclear what such a goal could look like. But it puts the long-neglected and underfunded adaptation back on the agenda, especially in poor countries. After all, the gap is huge: According to a UN report, the annual adaptation costs of around 210 billion US dollars stand in contrast to international funds totaling 21 billion. And the poorest and most vulnerable countries often receive very little aid.
A deep rift has emerged in the international movement for climate justice: Fridays for Future, for example, have become estranged over the question of how activists should respond to Hamas’ terrorist attacks and Israel’s actions in Gaza: The debate surrounding Greta Thunberg’s positions on Palestine has brought great unrest to the movement. In other NGO circles, representatives of the Global North also oppose those from the Global South. Dubai and beyond will show whether this division can be mended or if it will paralyze or weaken the protest movement in the long term.
So far, there has been no solution to the blockade concerning the host of the next COP: Eastern Europe was supposed to be the next host, but Russia has blocked the EU’s proposal for Bulgaria. Armenia and Azerbaijan are probably ruled out due to the current conflict. The next venue for the COP would have to be decided at this year’s COP at the latest. However, if no agreement is reached, the COP will end up in the host country of the UNFCCC Secretariat, Germany. This development has caused concern in the country: A COP ties up many resources and costs hundreds of millions of euros.
The “wild card” should not be ignored: In a tight and controversial conference, surprising developments inside or outside the COP circus can make a difference. During COP18 and COP19, a typhoon devastated the Philippines at the very time of the conference – emotional speeches by delegate Yeb Sano, whose family was affected, ultimately helped to adopt results in preparation for the loss and damage fund. Even after the Islamist terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015, two weeks before the conference, an atmosphere of solidarity was felt among the delegations, which helped advance the talks.
Representatives from the EU and 197 countries will attend the climate conference. The conference hosts expect more than 70,000 visitors. That would be a record number. Around 45,000 people attended the COP27 in Egypt. Among the guests at this year’s climate conference are
Almost as interesting as the confirmed participants is which top politicians have decided not to travel to Dubai:
The official agenda for COP28 is available here, an overview of the thematic program can be found here.
The COP28 in Dubai begins in three days. Anyone familiar with this conference series knows that perhaps the biggest challenge for visitors is keeping track of everything. This is difficult for everyone, and the bigger the event, the worse it is. That’s why we’ve put together this information pack for everyone traveling to the event – and even more so for those staying home. It will help you with your planning for the climate conference.
We offer some guidance on the many issues being negotiated or simply discussed. We highlight ten key questions that will be raised and perhaps answered in front of and behind the scenes. We list who will be attending – and who will not. And we provide you with a brief timetable for the conference days.
And from next Thursday, we will be there for you every day. Our three-member team in Dubai and our editorial team in Berlin will be following the COP and providing exclusive information, insights, background and context that you won’t find anywhere else.
We look forward to an exciting time and hope you enjoy our briefing.
COP28, the most important UN climate conference since the Paris Summit 2015, is being held in Dubai this year. For the first time, around 200 states of the UNFCCC framework convention will officially review their efforts in the form of the Global Stocktake (GST) and lay important foundations for future measures. The host, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is expecting up to 70,000 visitors from all over the world to attend the conference from 30 November to 12 December. Here is an overview of key topics.
Officially, the Global Stocktake (GST) is intended to result in a legally binding decision by the conference: What it contains and what future framework conditions it will lay down will be hotly contested until the very last minute. After all, they will be reflected in the next national climate plans (NDCs), submitted in 2025.
As in previous years, COP28 will feature a thematic focus each day and an extensive program of side events, forums, summits and presentations: For example, special themed days will focus on energy, technology, species conservation, youth and indigenous peoples. For the first time, health will also be in the spotlight and there will be a special summit on climate efforts by cities and municipalities.
While not on the official agenda, geopolitical crises will be hotly debated: The conference kicks off with the “Climate Action Summit” of many heads of state and government, who will also exchange views on geopolitics on the sidelines of the meeting. The war in Gaza and the Russian invasion of Ukraine will dominate the atmosphere, as will the tensions between the USA and China, the global inflation and debt crisis and the alarm signals of the climate crisis.
Climate.Table will provide the latest reports on key topics at COP28, as well as background articles summarizing what is currently happening at the conference. A brief overview of all important topics at COP 28:
The goal of tripling the global capacity of renewables by 2030 and doubling energy efficiency: Both of these topics are on the conference agenda and are supposed to advance the global energy transition.
A decision to phase out or phase down fossil fuel use. This will be one of the most controversial issues because it directly affects the business model of the host country, the UAE.
Financial issues will also cause debates: The 100 billion US dollars in climate aid promised by developed countries to the Global South is set to be achieved after a delay, but details and future prospects are still controversial.
The structure of the loss and damage fund agreed upon at COP27 is practically finished. Now, it’s a matter of who will fill it and with how much capital.
Health in connection with climate change will be given broad attention for the first time. An alliance of scientists, countries and civil society wants to campaign for a greater awareness of the risks the climate crisis poses for everyone.
Forest conservation will also be given a prominent role. Ending deforestation has often been declared, but never implemented. After all, without putting a stop to forest destruction, there will be no chance of achieving the 1.5-degree target. However, it remains uncertain whether the issue will be part of the official decisions in Dubai.
During COP28, Climate.Table will provide further background articles on current issues.
It’s easy to lose track of things at a climate conference. Especially when the event is as gigantic as COP28 in Dubai. Around 70,000 participants are expected. In addition to the “blue zone” with the actual negotiations, a “green zone” will host the side events where think tanks, lobbies, countries and cities, environmental associations and scientific organizations will present their work.
On and behind the official stages, several debates will shape the conference. They will decide whether the outcome of COP28 will be more or less ambitious – but they may also have consequences far beyond it. Even if a climate conference lands in one part of the world like a UN spaceship for a fortnight, it does not take place in a vacuum: The delegations and influential forces bring their very own interests to the COP. They represent and influence developments and opinions that apply before the conference and seldom change quickly afterward.
These issues will dominate COP28 – at the official conference, in hallways or elsewhere:
The war between the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas and the Israeli army in Gaza looms over COP28. Israel is a member of the UNFCCC and participates in the negotiations. Pro-Palestinian groups have already announced protests – but UN rules prohibit them on the conference grounds. Before the war broke out, rumors circulated that the conference might be postponed in the event of an escalation, but this is no longer the case.
Apart from generally heightened tensions, the war poses a risk for the negotiations: As Israel is perceived as part of the Global North and most countries of the Global South side with the Palestinians, the conflict could be interpreted as part of the North-South conflict over development opportunities and historical responsibility – which was not the case with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result, last year’s COP remained practically untouched by the conflict.
The appointment of Sultan al Jaber, Industry Minister of the UAE and head of the oil company Adnoc, as COP President has been widely criticized: The accusation is that oil and gas interests would dominate the climate conference. The UAE, however, has a different narrative: It claims to have set out for a future of renewables. The hope is that they can pull other coal oil and gas-based economies along with them. How much al Jaber, in his capacity as COP President, can make concessions to both sides and demand progress from them in return will determine whether real progress is made on the core issues.
So far, it is clear that only the UN countries that were considered developed countries (“Annex I”) when the Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted in 1992 are paying for climate action, adaptation and technology transfer. However, because the world has changed since, and countries such as Korea, Singapore, Mexico, possibly China and some oil states such as Saudi Arabia have become rich countries with high carbon emissions in absolute and per capita terms, developed countries have openly started wondering: When will they start paying?
For instance, the new loss and damage fund (LDF) explicitly leaves the financing issue open. But if, say, the UAE as host wants to seal a deal on the last night and secure the money for the LDF, the system could slip. The consequences would be grave: Once this line has been crossed, an international debate would start about who can provide what financial aid, when, and for what reasons.
The COP traditionally only makes progress when the two biggest global polluters come to an agreement: The Paris Agreement was put on track a year earlier by US-China cooperation. However, the political and economic tensions between Beijing and Washington have also slowed climate cooperation in recent years. Since the meeting between Presidents Xi and Biden in California in November, it is at least clear that they are talking to each other again, they want to cooperate and even extend the national climate targets to all sectors, something China has so far refused to do. It remains to be seen whether this slight thaw will be enough to smooth over other differences (such as the coal phase-out called for by the United States, which goes against China’s interests).
Very few things have put such a strain on negotiations in recent years as the broken promise by developed countries to mobilize 100 billion dollars annually for climate efforts in the Global South after 2020. As the OECD recently announced, the amount was 89.6 billion in 2021, and according to preliminary data, it “looks likely to have already been met as of 2022.” Whether the emerging economies will accept this as a positive trend remains to be seen.
It also will be interesting to see whether they accept the announced reform of the World Bank towards greater sustainability as, at least, the beginning of a fundamental reform of the global financial system. This was outlined by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s Bridgetown Initiative. This demand has been voiced repeatedly since COP27.
There was exciting news from the energy markets in the run-up to COP28: Has the world truly reached the carbon peak in 2023? And are we really seeing “peak coal” in 2023, “peak gas” in 2024 and “peak oil” in 2025 if the current growth trends of EVs and renewables continue? And what does that mean? Continued record profits for fossil fuel producers? And will these companies end up investing their profits in renewables and future hydrogen technology – which would accelerate their market ramp-up? At least the energy agency IEA and the oil organization OPEC publicly argue about the end of the fossil fuel boom.
A “Global Goal on Adaptation” (GGA) will be adopted at the next COP. This debate already casts its long shadow – partly because, unlike the 1.5-degree target, it is unclear what such a goal could look like. But it puts the long-neglected and underfunded adaptation back on the agenda, especially in poor countries. After all, the gap is huge: According to a UN report, the annual adaptation costs of around 210 billion US dollars stand in contrast to international funds totaling 21 billion. And the poorest and most vulnerable countries often receive very little aid.
A deep rift has emerged in the international movement for climate justice: Fridays for Future, for example, have become estranged over the question of how activists should respond to Hamas’ terrorist attacks and Israel’s actions in Gaza: The debate surrounding Greta Thunberg’s positions on Palestine has brought great unrest to the movement. In other NGO circles, representatives of the Global North also oppose those from the Global South. Dubai and beyond will show whether this division can be mended or if it will paralyze or weaken the protest movement in the long term.
So far, there has been no solution to the blockade concerning the host of the next COP: Eastern Europe was supposed to be the next host, but Russia has blocked the EU’s proposal for Bulgaria. Armenia and Azerbaijan are probably ruled out due to the current conflict. The next venue for the COP would have to be decided at this year’s COP at the latest. However, if no agreement is reached, the COP will end up in the host country of the UNFCCC Secretariat, Germany. This development has caused concern in the country: A COP ties up many resources and costs hundreds of millions of euros.
The “wild card” should not be ignored: In a tight and controversial conference, surprising developments inside or outside the COP circus can make a difference. During COP18 and COP19, a typhoon devastated the Philippines at the very time of the conference – emotional speeches by delegate Yeb Sano, whose family was affected, ultimately helped to adopt results in preparation for the loss and damage fund. Even after the Islamist terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015, two weeks before the conference, an atmosphere of solidarity was felt among the delegations, which helped advance the talks.
Representatives from the EU and 197 countries will attend the climate conference. The conference hosts expect more than 70,000 visitors. That would be a record number. Around 45,000 people attended the COP27 in Egypt. Among the guests at this year’s climate conference are
Almost as interesting as the confirmed participants is which top politicians have decided not to travel to Dubai:
The official agenda for COP28 is available here, an overview of the thematic program can be found here.
