COP28 - Key Issues

 

Here is a summary of the key issues at the upcoming COP28 climate negotiations:

- Assessing Progress: The main focus will be a first-time global stocktake of whether countries are on track to meet Paris Agreement goals of limiting warming to under 2°C and aiming for 1.5°C. With progress lagging, contention persists over whether all or just historically high-emitting wealthy nations should act.

- Phasing Out Fossil Fuels: Debates will center on committing to begin phasing out use of coal, oil and gas. The EU and vulnerable countries are insisting on this, but opposition persists from nations like Russia. The stance of host UAE and its oil-CEO president remains uncertain.

- Emerging Emissions Technologies: The UAE and other fossil fuel economies want greater focus on expensive technologies like carbon capture that are not yet widespread but could justify ongoing fossil fuel use. Critics worry this detracts from transition priorities.

- Scaling Up Renewables: Broad backing exists for goals to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. But some tie these to parallel phaseouts of fossil fuels.

- Climate Finance: Developing nations need at least $200 billion annually by 2030 just for adaptation, plus funding for damages. Debates persist around who should provide this money and the role of public vs private finance.

Outside the formal talks, side initiatives aim to bring in new actors like fossil fuel companies with voluntary emissions pledges. But core disputes remain around responsibilities, priorities and pace for urgent climate progress.

For more details see Reuters article