The Conference of the Parties (COP) is an annual gathering of the 197 States and the European Union that are signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Initiated in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, the COP aims to reach a consensus on how to combat climate change.
The Role and Objectives of COP28
This year’s COP28 is expected to attract a record number of participants, with concrete targets to be reached by 2030. These include tripling renewable energy capacity worldwide and doubling energy efficiency. The summit will also be the occasion for the first “global assessment” of the Paris Agreement.
Reviews and controversies
The presidency of COP28 was entrusted to Sultan Al Jaber, the head of an Emirati oil company, which drew criticism. However, some defend this choice as an opportunity to discuss the energy transition in concrete terms. Meanwhile, young activist Greta Thunberg has often criticized COPs as “greenwashing” machines.
Financial stakes
Money is always a hot topic at COP meetings. At the heart of the debate will be the funding promised by rich countries for adaptation to climate change, and the modalities for setting up a fund to finance “loss and damage” in the poorest countries.
Summit expectations
COP28 is expected to produce a final text adopted by consensus, which will take account of differences in interests and positions, while ideally aiming to make progress on tackling the climate crisis. Discussions between executives, which are often prolonged, are supplemented by meetings with various lobbyists, representatives of NGOs and international organizations.
COP28 represents a crucial milestone in global efforts to combat climate change. While criticism and controversy often surround these summits, the climate emergency calls for concrete, collaborative action. The success of COP28 will be measured not only by the agreements reached, but also by the actual implementation of the commitments made.
