AS world leaders and climate experts make their final preparations for the COP28 climate summit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the latest data on the global climate serves as an urgent call to action.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded the warmest September globally in its extensive history of compiling data. But September 2023 was no anomaly. The NOAA said the planet’s surface temperature throughout 2023 is the highest it has ever recorded and there is now a 99% probability it will end as the warmest year on record.
"September 2023 was the fourth month in a row of record-warm global temperatures,” said NOAA Chief Scientist Dr Sarah Kapnick. “Not only was it the warmest September on record, it was far and away the most atypically warm month of any in NOAA’s 174 years of climate keeping. To put it another way, September 2023 was warmer than the average July from 2001-2010."
COP28, which will be held in the UAE from 30 November-12 December 2023, has been organized around four cross-cutting themes aimed at tackling the causes of climate change and managing the impacts of a warming planet: Technology and Innovation; Inclusion; Frontline Communities and Finance. We’ll have a deeper dive into the COP28 agenda below, but first a quick reminder about the history of COP.
What are COP summits?
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the group of nations that have signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which was put together in 1992. It commits them to act together to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations “at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human-induced) interference with the climate system”. Since then the Parties, or nations, have met almost annually.
The most recent one, COP27, was held in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh in November 2022. It brought together over 100 heads of state and representatives from almost 200 countries. The headline outcome was an agreement to provide loss and damage funding for countries vulnerable to, or already suffering the worst impacts of climate change. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres hailed the agreement as “an important step towards justice”. Other commitments included a pledge to stick to the 1.5°C target for limiting global temperature rises and pivoting from climate pledges to climate action.
Major priorities for COP28
1: The first global stocktake on climate action progress
The majority of agreed international climate targets are embedded within the Paris Agreement on climate change and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Less than three months ahead of COP 28, the UN Secretary-General warned the world was “woefully off-track” with progress towards meeting the goals.
At the halfway point for meeting climate goals by the target date of 2030, COP28 will host a “global stocktake” to measure progress in detail, identify areas of failure and reinvigorate commitment to ensure climate pledges are turned into action.
2: Speeding the energy transition
Reducing carbon emissions from fossil fuels will be critical to keeping the 1.5°C target alive. As leaders gather at COP28 the data on emissions is still heading in the wrong direction. Greenhouse gas emissions are now at an all-time high, according to a study published in the journal Earth System Science Data. The same study says the rate of emissions is slowing but the target set in the Paris Agreement is in immediate jeopardy. “This is a critical decade: human-induced global warming rates are at their highest historical level, and 1.5 ∘C global warming might be expected to be reached or exceeded within the next 10 years,” the report states.
Accelerating the energy transition inclusively and sustainably will sit high on the agenda at COP28. Discussions will focus on the rapid scaling up of renewable energy, how innovations like hydrogen fuels and carbon capture technologies can help reduce emissions. At the same time, delegates will look for pathways to ensure the energy transition benefits developing nations and minority communities in equal measure, to deliver a just transition that leaves nobody behind.
3: Putting people at the heart of climate action
Climate change is already impacting human health across the world. Air pollution blights lives in cities and millions in developing countries live with water shortages or supplies that are a danger to health.
For the first time at a COP summit, a full day of the agenda has been devoted to initiatives designed to “protect lives and livelihoods and support community resilience and stability” in the face of the advancing effects of climate change. High-level discussions will take place around health, relief, recovery and peace. There will also be a focus on regions of the world consumed by conflict and beset by a range of issues that make climate mitigation and adaptation extremely difficult.
4: Climate finance and the impact of global trade
Historically, global trade has been a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions – with production and distribution responsible for around 25% of global emissions. Trade Day at COP28 will explore the potential for trade to reduce emissions across the value chain and grow markets for climate-friendly products such as electric vehicles and non-plastic packaging.
The World Economic Forum is partnering with the UAE, the UN trade body UNCTAD, the World Trade Organization and the International Chamber of Commerce to shape the debate at the COP28 Trade Day.
Providing equitable financing for climate action and adaptation will be critical in keeping 1.5°C alive. Many developing countries are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis and are struggling to access the adaptation and mitigation funding they need. COP 28 will dedicate a day to climate finance in an attempt to ensure affordable sustainable development finance is available to all stakeholders.
The Forum will convene governments, industry and philanthropy leaders at the summit to announce multiple public-private philanthropic partnerships. In addition to the financial aspects of food and agriculture, and the nature ecosystems pillars, the Forum is also working with the COP28 Presidency to explore potential outcomes for financing the net zero transition.
5: Broader leadership on climate change
COP28 will also look to engage a broader range of leaders to convert climate pledges into action. The COP28 Local Climate Action Summit will bring together hundreds of mayors, governors and leaders from business and NGOs who play a critical role in implementing climate policy at city and regional levels in their home countries.
Recognizing the impact these sub-national leaders can deliver, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said: “Cities are where the climate battle will largely be won or lost. We all need to push further and faster; keep collaborating, innovating and raising ambition. Mobilizing and equipping local governments with the capacity and financing to accelerate climate action is necessary if we are to bend the emissions curve.”
COP28 President-designate Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber added: “City leaders have been at the forefront of climate action – accelerating ambition, delivering results and dealing with climate impacts in real-time. By bringing hundreds of local leaders to COP28, we will foster new, multi-level partnerships to help fast-track the energy transition, fix climate finance, focus on people, lives and livelihoods, and make sure local voices are heard at the international climate table.”
Looking ahead to the next 10 years, climate and environmental risks dominate global risk perception, with failure to mitigate climate change the most pressing, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report 2023.
World Economic Forum
Fri Dec 01 2023
Accelerating the energy transition inclusively and sustainably remains high on the agenda at COP28. - FACEBOOK/COP28 UAE
Abidin takes oath of office as Sungai Bakap assemblyman
The State Assemblyman for Sungai Bakap, Abidin Ismail, was sworn in today at the State Assembly building, Lebuh Light.
UPNM cadet officer charged with injuring junior, stomping on him with spike boots
A cadet officer at UPNM pleaded not guilty to a charge of injuring his junior by stomping on the victim's stomach with spike boots.
How Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's alleged bribery scheme took off and unraveled
The indictment was unsealed on Nov. 20, prompting a $27 billion plunge in Adani Group companies' market value.
Elon Musk blasts Australia's planned ban on social media for children
Several countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia's policy could become one of the most stringent.
Trump picks Pam Bondi for US Attorney General after Gaetz withdraws
Bondi was the top law enforcement officer of the country's third most populous state from 2011 to 2019, and served on Trump's Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during his first administration.
Ringgit extends uptrend against greenback in early trade
At 8 am, the local currency climbed to 4.4600/4700 against the greenback.
Lebanon's only burn unit treats toddlers after Israeli strikes
The hospital hallways echo with the screams of children as anxious parents await news from doctors.
AI revolutionising sports to develop world-class athletes
Can a young Orang Asli child from Gua Musang, Kelantan be turned into an Olympic champion in 2036?
Selangor records 1,354 out-of-wedlock teen pregnancies from 2023 to Sept 2024
Anfaal Saari emphasises the seriousness of the issue, especially involving children and teenagers under 18 years old.
ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Elon Musk's Neuralink receives Canadian approval for brain chip trial
The study aims to assess the safety and initial functionality of its implant which enables people with quadriplegia.
Guitar bought by Beatles' teenage Harrison for GBP58 sells for more than GBP1 million
A guitar bought by George Harrison for about GBP58 has sold at auction for more than GBP1 million (US$1.27 million), the PA Media news agenc
Duct-taped banana goes for $6.2 mln in Sotheby's art auction
A piece of art that is little more than a banana duct-taped to a wall sold at auction to cryptocurrency entrepreneur.
Australian teen dies from tainted liquor in Laos; fourth suspected victim
Spurious liquor is a problem in Laos, with the govts of Australia and Britain warning citizens to be cautious when taking drinks there.
Woman found in freezer died from chest injuries - Police
Preliminary post-mortem report reveals that the victim died from chest injuries caused by blunt trauma.
Malaysia, Vietnam to further cooperate in multiple sectors - PM
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the collaboration will also leverage the ASEAN Energy Grid to foster regional growth.
Australia launches 'landmark' bill to ban social media for children under 16
Australia plans to trial an age-verification system that may include biometrics or govt identification to enforce social media age cut-off.
Court orders PDRM to complete investigations into Beng Hock's death within six months
Judge says the claims and reliefs sought by the applicants are within the domain of public law both in pith and substance.
Zii Jia secures spot in BWF World Tour Finals
This will be Lee Zii Jia's third appearance at the season-ending tournament, following the 2020 and 2021 editions.
PM: Media freedom recognition needs improvement but 3Rs limit action
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says this stems from a request by the Malay rulers for the government to take a stricter stance on these matters.