The world’s largest climate summit, the Conference of the Parties of the UN
Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), held in Dubai, United Arab
Emirates (UAE), between 30 November and 12 December 2023, is a landmark moment
in our planet’s future. With the UN 2030 climate target in perspective, we have
only seven years left to reduce global carbon emissions by half and limit
global warming to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels by 2050.
This year, the UAE has the honor to host the COP summit and welcome around
200 nationalities to address the most important global challenge facing us
today. The COP 28 Presidency, led by the UAE’s Minister of Industry and
Advanced Technology, H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, has set out four key pillars to
deliver the necessary course correction. These include fast-tracking a just,
orderly, and equitable energy transition; fixing climate finance; focusing on
people, lives, and livelihoods; and full inclusivity.
The agenda in COP28 will be to achieve a just, equitable, and durable transition
and to put the loss and damage fund in action for the most vulnerable nations.
As a global hub for renewable technologies, the UAE is uniquely positioned to
build consensus around climate mitigation and adaptation. It has $50 billion
investments in clean energy worldwide and plans to invest $50 billion more
within the next decade. With green projects across the globe including Central
Asia, Caucasus, Africa, and Europe, the UAE has set the objective to achieve
100 GW renewal portfolio by 2030.
Building on this momentum, world leaders gathering at COP28 must overcome
geopolitical divides and unite around the common goal to de-carbonize our
economies in a sustainable way. The important point is to set achievable milestones
along the journey to meet zero-emissions targets through innovative means. COP
28 is the last chance to make transformational and practical progress towards
addressing the climate crisis; we must use the opportunity.
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