COP28: Much done, but still not enough
- The recently concluded COP28 yielded significant results but fell short of ambitious expectations.
- The conference faced criticism for not meeting climate action expectations in the immediate-term.
Expectations and Context
- COP28 was viewed as possibly the last opportunity to align with the 1.5°C warming threshold.
- The primary focus was on conducting a Global Stocktake (GST) to assess the world's progress against climate change and determine further actions.
- Global warming records were consistently broken in 2023, emphasizing the urgency for more ambitious climate actions.
- Every assessment showed that the world was not doing enough, and that the 1.5°C target was rapidly slipping out of hand.
Key Outcomes
- Fossil Fuel Transition
- The agreement called for countries to contribute to transitioning away from fossil fuels to achieve net-zero by 2050.
- However, it lacked specific timelines and targets, leading to disappointment for some countries advocating for a "fossil fuel phase-out."
- Renewable Energy Tripled
- Countries were urged to contribute to tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
- Tripling is a global target, and it is not incumbent on every country to individually triple its current installed capacity.
- Coal Phase-Down
- Despite being a fossil fuel, just like oil or natural gas, coal has received a separate mention in the agreement due to the phase-down decision in 2021.
- However, the agreement lacked specifics on measurement or baseline for this phase-down.
- Methane Emission Cuts
- The agreement emphasized reducing non-carbon-dioxide emissions, particularly methane, by 2030.
- Methane is the most widespread greenhouse gas apart from CO2, accounting for nearly 25 percent of all emissions.
- It is also about 80 times more potent than CO2 in causing global warming.
- However, it did not set specific targets, reflecting concerns from countries like India, where agriculture is a major source of methane emissions.
- Loss and Damage Fund
- Operationalized during COP28, this fund aims to assist vulnerable countries recovering from climate-induced disasters.
- Commitments of around US$ 800 million were made during the conference.
- Global Goal on Adaptation
- The COP28 adopted a framework for a global goal on adaptation, addressing issues such as water scarcity, climate-resilient food production, and health impacts.
- However, the agreement lacks financial provisions and requires further development.
Conclusion
- While COP28 achieved crucial milestones, the absence of clear timelines for fossil fuel transition and specific targets for methane emission cuts left room for criticism.
- The conference's outcomes signify progress, but increased efforts are necessary to meet the urgency of the climate crisis.