The summary of outcomes from COP 27 in Sharm El Sheikh were an agreement on a loss and damage fund, revisit national 2030 net-zero targets and finalising the implementation of the Santiago Network.
This year’s Conference of the Parties will take place between the 30th of November and the 12th of December. The topics selected for this year are:
- Fast-tracking the energy transition and slashing emissions before 2030;
- Transforming climate finance, by delivering on old promises and setting the framework for a new deal on finance;
- Putting nature, people, lives, and livelihoods at the heart of climate action; and
- Mobilising for the most inclusive COP ever.
- A discussion on peace and conflict
Some other expected outcomes are around the decision on fund allocation for loss and damage, review of the Paris agreement that started in COP 26, in the hope of achieving outcome, an action agenda, and a call to action.
The special envoy for climate change from the United Arab Emirates, host country, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber is also the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and head of Masdar, a government renewable energy company. He has made clear statements favouring oil products’ place in our future societies. His appointment has been challenged in by the US and France’s political members as well as NGOs as being a greenwashing spree and he has also collected allegations of misinformation spread by employees and AI online.
The output of oil has sharply increased for ADNOC, Masdar has also aimed to diversify the country’s industries. While this could seem balanced, the NY Times notes that ADNOC is one of the few oil and gas companies to still make substantial investment in ramping up production and has aimed to go from 3 to 5billion barrels. Moreover, the investment in renewables are minuscule compared to ones made for oil in the country.
Given these circumstances, should we expect much from COP 28?
Sustainable Crossroads 