COp28

What is COP?

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is an annual climate conference hosted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), an international environmental treaty adopted by countries all around the world in 1994 to address the issue of climate change. 198 Parties have ratified the agreement (197 countries plus the European Union), representing almost universal global involvement.

The objectives of the UNFCCC are to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere “at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human induced) interference with the climate system”. COP serves as a yearly meeting of the Parties to the UNFCCC to discuss progress and action toward achieving these goals.

Why is COP important?

COP provides an important mechanism for ratcheting up ambition, accountability, and action – while increasing coordination between Parties and wider stakeholders. The climate challenge requires multinational, multisectoral cooperation, and international fora can accelerate action — elevating the voices of those most vulnerable to climate change’s impacts on an international stage, creating opportunities to foster cooperation between countries who might otherwise be at odds, and providing a forum through which to ask and work through difficult questions.

Why is COP28 important?

COP28 was particularly important for its marking of the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake – a process that assessed overall progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement. COP28 considered the findings of the Global Stocktake’s technical assessment and summarized key political messages and recommendations for strengthening action and enhancing support. While the technical assessment found that the Paris Agreement has driven near-universal climate action through setting goals and sending a political signal to the world, the process also highlighted that we are, collectively, very far behind on climate goals and governments must support systems transformations to strengthen the global response to climate change. Through the Global Stocktake at COP28, countries worked toward submitting adjusted plans to address climate change in 2025.

COP28 was also important for its location: the UAE. This COP provided a poignant platform for leaders to reckon with the realities of our global energy system and the continued prominence of oil and gas in powering global livelihoods. CATF used this opportunity to hold leaders in every corner of the world accountable for climate action, and advance a pragmatic theory of change that works within the realities of our global economy.

With UAE as backdrop, we leveraged our extensive network of relationships and deep reservoir of technical and policy expertise to drive outcomes toward decarbonization – and to shift global narratives toward a more realistic reckoning with the climate challenge.

What is the agenda at COP28?

COP28 featured the following thematic days:

• November 30: Opening Day
• December 1: World Climate Action Summit
• December 2: World Climate Action Summit
• December 3: Health / Relief, Recovery and Peace
• December 4: Finance / Trade / Gender Equality / Accountability
• December 5: Energy and Industry / Just Transition / Indigenous Peoples
• December 6: Multilevel Action, Urbanization and Built Environment / Transport
• December 7: Rest
• December 8: Youth, Children, Education and Skills
• December 9: Nature, Land Use, and Oceans
• December 10: Food, Agriculture, and Water
• December 11-12: Final Negotiations

For more information on the COP28 agenda and its thematic days, visit: cop28.com/en/thematic-program

Where is COP held?

COP is hosted by a different country each year and typically rotates through different geographic regions. The first meeting (COP1) took place in Berlin, Germany. COP27, in 2022, was held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

In 2023, the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held at Expo City, Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

When did COP start?

The first COP was held in Berlin in 1995.It was a milestone that set the stage for future protocols and agreements for nations to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Who takes part in COP?

COP brings together tens of thousands of diplomats, ministers, and negotiators from nearly 200 countries. The conferences are also attended by representatives from civil society, business and finance leaders, academic experts, international organizations, activists, and the media.

What has been achieved at previous COPs?

Several landmark commitments, treaties, and funding mechanisms have emerged from these annual meetings.

At COP3 in Kyoto, Japan, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted with a commitment to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases in industrialized countries. The Kyoto Protocol was ultimately replaced by the Bali Roadmap in 2007 (which included all countries rather than just industrialized nations) but laid an important foundation for later agreements.

In 2015, at COP21, the Paris Agreement was unanimously adopted by almost all countries in the world, aiming to keep the rise in the global average temperature to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and ideally to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It also included provisions to strengthen the ability to adapt to climate change and build resilience and align all finance flows with “a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.” As part of the Paris Agreement, countries agreed to set emissions reductions targets and communicate these targets to the UNFCCC in the form of nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

At COP24 in Katowice, Poland, Parties agreed the Katowice Climate Package, which sets out procedures and mechanisms to make the Paris Agreement operational. This includes implementation guidance for NDCs, for reporting on adaptation and climate impacts, and how to conduct the Global Stocktake to assess overall progress towards the Paris Agreement aims.

At COP26 in Glasglow, UK, the Glasgow Climate Pact for the first time called on all nations to phase down unabated coal power and inefficient subsidies for fossil fuels. It also saw the launch of the Global Methane Pledge, where over 115 countries committed to reducing methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Methane is a harmful climate pollutant that must be mitigated alongside carbon dioxide to prevent near term warming and avoid passing potentially irreversible climate tipping points.