Under the illustrious world agreement UNFCCC (United Nation Framework of Climate Change Conventions) COP28(Conference of Parties) which has been held in Dubai, UAE from November 30 to December 12,2023 in order to mitigate and compensate the ‘Loss & Damage’ of the blue globe. Expecting over 70000 delegates and with the involvement of young generation this year the Conference is endeavouring a new saga of Climate Action.
The longing critical issues in pertinent to Climate resolution particularly phase out of fossil fuel, abiding the target of Paris agreement, global stocktake and acting on loss and damage fund. The damage of the planet and the related repercussions are such humongous that the world leaders needed to be agreed on many crucial agendas. Unlikely each and every conference turns out to be little achievable which is creating a vacuum in the direction of leading a robust role in a sensitive and severe topic as Climate action.
Due to lobby’s different interests and the tantrums of global politics it is been seen how climate pledges are confined to conference and conventions except few progresses for instance; Montreal Protocol.Following the Bonn Conference, the on going COP28 is gathered to formulate key policies and foremost key point stressed by COP28 president- designate Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber is to eliminate carbon and methane emissions by 2030 with zero emission plans by 2050. As per International Energy Agency (IEA), Methane emissions is one of the leading contributor to global warming. Therefore, inclusive energy transition is prerequisite formula to rebate the climate cost. Secondly, maximising technology adoption and climate finance; public bodies, private parties and multilateral organisations are urged to participate in the process of energy transition. Particularly developing countries should not be left behind to harness the potential and advantages amounted by this adoption. Thirdly, endorsing the renewable energy capacity and hydrocarbons which is aiming to triple to 11000 GW by 2030 and double it again by 2040. In line with these targets, emphasised upon Carbon capture technologies to reduce industrial emissions, lithium battery advancement and affordable electronic vehicles are necessary equipment to work on climate resolution.
Despite several UN climate agreements over the last three decades, yet the major issue on binding a target on phasing out fossil fuel remains unaddressed. The COP26 summit in Glasgow 2021, made the first tangible progress on fossil fuel exit deal with an agreement to minimise coal use, but without mentioning oil and gas. “The ‘phase out’ is a tool to reach the goal. And the goal is an energy system that has no emissions,” Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barthe Eide told Reuters at COP28. The statement is backed by mostly developed countries whereas, Russia, China and Saudi Arabia are opposing a full fossil fuel phase out amidst being world’s biggest carbon emitters. So far India is concerned as a voice of developing country, is emphasising upon developed countries must eliminate their carbon footprint before 2050. Prime Minister of India welcomed the functionalisation of Loss and Damage Fund and establishment of the UAE climate Investment Fund at COP28.
Climate is omnipresent through horizontally and vertically reaching and affecting all nock and corner of the blue planet but suffering and severity of Climate Change is not equal to each region and its inhabitants. This is why little and no action makes zero difference in building a resilient weapon to combat climate induced devastation. Critics like Greta Thunberg, accuse the summits of ‘greenwashing’ where countries and businesses promote their vested climate interests without implementing the actual actions.Various international reports on Climate Change have been warning for alarming situation to be faced by current and next generation. IPCC sixth report has advised to actualise the most awaited methods mainly rapid curb on burning fossil fuel and transforming fossil fuel power plants into carbon capture- storage installations. However, these efforts are slow in pace before the massive intense consequences which are tremendously seen through compound climate change phenomena. Nevertheless, the young generation climate activists are bringing a ray of hope through their participation and for their urge to renew the globe by adopting renewable culture be it fashion or food habits.
