WHAT’S AT STAKE AT COP28 IT’S NOT ALL GLITZ AND GLAM WHEN THE WORLD IS ON FIRE: Now to the actual point of COP: the U.N. talks are meant to be a crucial moment for the global community to come together to advance work on the climate crisis. Breaking all the wrong records: A U.N. report released last week warned that the Earth is on track to heat up by 3 degrees Celsius if aggressive action isn’t taken. That effectively rips up the pledge to keep temperature rises well below 2C above pre-industrial levels, enshrined in the Paris Agreement that countries adopted at COP21 in 2015. Chaser: This scene-setter by POLITICO’s energy and climate maestros Karl Mathiesen, Charlie Cooper and Zack Colman sets up what’s at stake between now and December 12, when the conference is due to wrap up. THINGS TO WATCH FOR AS NEGOTIATIONS GET UNDER WAY … 1. Agreement on a ‘loss and damage’ fund to help poorer countries was one of the key achievements of the COP27 summit in Egypt last year. Will countries now cough up the cash? Earlier this month negotiators grudgingly agreed that the World Bank would host the fund on an interim basis (developing countries want a stand-alone fund), but huge question marks hang over the entire issue of climate financing. Nonetheless, my colleague Zia Weise here on the ground reports that the structure of the fund could be agreed as early as today — removing the contentious item from the rest of the conference agenda and shifting the attention to putting money into the fund. Full story here, by Zia, Karl and Sara Schonhardt. 2. A commitment to phase out fossil fuel is in many ways the holy grail of the COP negotiations, but securing an agreement to stop burning coal, oil and gas will be a tough sell for many of the 190-plus delegations here in Dubai. Already, some of the big oil-producing countries have been emphasizing technologies like carbon-capture and carbon dioxide removal rather than taking a hot, hard look at the reality of fossil fuel damage. Expect more on the age-old battle between those who want to phase down rather than phase out fossil fuels, as favored by the EU and climate-vulnerable countries. 3. A ‘global stocktake’ on the Paris Agreement is a key component of this year’s COP. Expect big warnings about how the world is falling short. SPOTTED IN DUBAI U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry in the “leadership pavilion,” the salubrious centerpiece of the Blue Zone where heads of state and other leaders will meet. Jim Skea, chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, chilling out at Japanese restaurant Yamanote in the Blue Zone. COP WISHLISTS MOST WANTED: Playbook asked a selection of top global decision-makers about their expectations for COP28. Mary Robinson, the chair of the Climate Governance Commission and former U.N. special envoy for climate change, said the summit needs to be a “turning point” on global governance of the climate emergency. “COP28 is a pivotal moment for the climate. Devastating impacts are happening right now, and the science shows us the crisis is on track to get much, much worse. However, we know the policy solutions needed to tackle the climate crisis — we just lack the leadership needed to implement them.” Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh, cited loss and damage as a priority. “We are not a major producer but we are a victim of emissions. Countries who are responsible should come forward and commit to loss and damage. This is a hugely important issue for countries such as Bangladesh. Emitter countries need to realize that even with small assistance, people’s lives can be changed. Their lives can be secured.” Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, the UAE’s state-owned renewable energy company, placed the emphasis on renewables. “At COP28, the world must unite around ambitious renewable energy commitments. The presidency has made it clear that, if we are to keep 1.5 degrees within reach, we need to triple global renewables capacity by the end of the decade. Masdar, and our partners in the renewables sector, stand ready to answer this call.” Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, environment minister of Rwanda said: “COP28 will be a success if we see the loss and damage fund operational, and if the global stocktake leads to faster emissions cuts by the major polluters. That’s the only way to keep the 1.5 degree goal alive.” Giuseppe Sala, mayor of Milan and vice chair of C40, the cities climate leadership group told Playbook: “The decisions at COP28 will either collectively advance our efforts, enabling cities to fully confront the climate crisis, or hinder us by limiting our capabilities … Mayors are often facing these challenges on their own, however, this is not a task we can accomplish in isolation. This COP we urge national and regional leaders to collaborate with us actively, focusing on action rather than delay.” Amy Brachio, EY global vice chair, sustainability, said: “We are still a long way from having enough green talent, green skills, and green jobs to complete the green transformation. Being able to call upon a diversified workforce that is equipped with a broad range of skills, both technical and knowledge related, will be key to delivering a just transition.” WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY — Opening ceremony at 1 p.m. in Plenary Al Hairat, Blue Zone. — High-level session on systems change and innovation for climate and sustainability action, throughout the day, at the U.N. Climate Change Global Innovation Hub, Zone B2. — Friends of the Earth press conference at 11 a.m. in Press Conference 2. MORNING READS — The Climate Finance Files, a new report out this morning by ONE, states that nearly two-thirds of climate finance commitments counted by the OECD between 2013 and 2021 were never disbursed or had little connection to climate (that’s a cool $343 billion). — Also out this morning is a report by the World Economic Forum highlighting the role social innovators can play, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, in fostering climate adaptation. — Get the low-down ahead of time from Mark Carney, U.N. special envoy for climate finance and action, the guest on this week’s Power Play podcast. “What we’ll be looking for at COP is who steps up amongst the oil and gas companies and commits to not doing something in the distant future, but doing something over the next few years,” he tells POLITICO’s Anne McElvoy. Listen here. GET IN TOUCH … with any tips, news or party invites at slynch@politico.eu. THANKS TO: Zia Weise and Karl Mathiesen. Playbook couldn’t happen without Global Playbook Editor Zoya Sheftalovich.
| 
Comments
Post a Comment