COP28 Summit 2023 Dubai, UAE Key Highlights

Key Highlights of COP28 Summit 2023 

The summit was 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.

The key players at COP28

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron were some of the global leaders present at the start of the summit. However, US President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping were absent, but both nations had significant representation.

COP28: Significant summit focuses directly on reducing the use of fossil fuels

COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber commended the climate agreement supported by almost 200 countries calling it a “historic package” with a “strong plan” to uphold the 1.5 degrees Celsius target.

• Almost 200 countries have reached an agreement at the COP28 climate summit to begin the reduction of global fossil fuel consumption.

COP28 Dubai Climate Summit Highlights in 10 Points:

1. Historic Fossil Fuel Agreement:

• COP28 concluded with a groundbreaking agreement involving almost 200 countries to initiate the reduction of global fossil fuel consumption. This signifies a major stride towards eventually phasing out the era of oil.

2. Financial Aid for Climate Damage:

• The summit started with the creation of a long-awaited fund intended to help low-income countries cover the costs of damages caused by climate-related events. This initiative addresses a crucial aspect of climate justice.

3. Net Zero Pledges:

• In Dubai, countries came together to achieve a significant milestone with the ‘UAE Consensus,’ which advocates for a shift away from fossil fuels with the goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
• Countries such as Canada and Belgium declared more ambitious net zero targets than previously set, while Dubai committed to a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030.

4. Clean Energy Transition:

• COP28 prioritized accelerating the transition to clean energy sources to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions before 2030.

5. Climate Finance Commitments:

• A concentrated effort was made to secure financial support for climate action from wealthier nations to developing countries, including discussions on a new deal for the latter.

6. Nature and People Focus:

• COP28 underscored the importance of concentrating on nature and people, ensuring that climate actions are inclusive and mindful of biodiversity and human well-being.

7. Paris Agreement Progress:

• The summit aimed to advance the goals of the existing Paris Agreement, with a focus on reducing both the consumption and production of fossil fuels in a fair and equitable manner.

8. Global Climate Fund Contributions:

• National governments and organizations announced commitments to climate finance, pledging support to funds like the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, and others.

9. Carbon Market Rules:

• Building on the outcomes of COP26, COP28 continued refining rules on reporting emissions and international carbon trading, working towards establishing a robust framework for global carbon markets.

10. Inclusivity and Equity:

• The draft text released during COP28 called for reducing reliance on fossil fuels in a manner that is fair, orderly, and equitable. It emphasized the importance of a transition that considers the needs of all countries and communities.

COP29 and COP 30

As COP28 comes to an end, attention turns to the crucial task of implementing and adhering to the agreements at COP29 and COP30.

• On December 11, Azerbaijan and Brazil were officially designated as the hosts for the United Nations’ climate talks in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

COP29 Azerbaijan

• Azerbaijan, whose economy is significantly dependent on oil and gas exports, is slated to host COP29 from November 11 to 22 in 2024.

COP30 Brazil

• Brazil, ranked among the world’s top 10 oil producers will host COP30 in the Amazon from November 10 to 21 in 2025.

India’s Role in COP28:

India’s role at COP28 is crucial as it is a developing nation and a top emitter of greenhouse gases. The key concerns for India at the summit include:

1. Phasing out Fossil Fuels: India is working towards reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.

2. Securing Finance for Renewable Energy Targets: India seeks financial support to achieve its renewable energy targets.

COP Summits in India

The 8th Conference of the Parties (COP 8) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in New Delhi, India, from October 23 to November 1, 2002. 

History of COP

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), under which the Conference of the Parties (COP) operates, was established in 1992.

• The first COP meeting was held in 1995 in Berlin city of Germany. Since then, the COP meets each year to assess progress in combating climate change.

Table of COP Summits:

No.	Year	Name	Location	Country
1	1995	COP 1	Berlin	Germany
2	1996	COP 2	Geneva	Switzerland
3	1997	COP 3	Kyoto	Japan
4	1998	COP 4	Buenos Aires	Argentina
5	1999	COP 5	Bonn	Germany
6	2000	COP 6	The Hague	Netherlands
7	2001	COP 6-2	Bonn	Germany
8	2001	COP 7	Marrakech	Morocco
9	2002	COP 8	New Delhi	India
10	2003	COP 9	Milan	Italy
11	2004	COP 10	Buenos Aires	Argentina
12	2005	COP 11 CMP 1	Montreal	Canada
13	2006	COP 12 CMP 2	Nairobi	Kenya
14	2007	COP 13 CMP 3	Bali	Indonesia
15	2008	COP 14 CMP 4	Poznań	Poland
16	2009	COP 15 CMP 5	Copenhagen	Denmark
17	2010	COP 16 CMP 6	Cancún	Mexico
18	2011	COP 17 CMP 7	Durban	South Africa
19	2012	COP 18 CMP 8	Doha	Qatar
20	2013	COP 19 CMP 9	Warsaw	Poland
21	2014	COP 20 CMP 10	Lima	Peru
22	2015	COP 21 CMP 11	Paris	France
23	2016	COP 22 CMP 12 / CMA 1	Marrakech	Morocco
24	2017	COP 23 CMP 13 / CMA 1-2	Bonn	Germany
25	2018	COP 24 CMP 14 / CMA 1-3	Katowice	Poland
26	2019	SB50	Bonn	Germany
27	2022	COP 27	Sharm el-Sheikh	Egypt
28	2023	COP 28	Dubai	United Arab Emirates

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