COP28 conference faces criticism - 27th November 2023

The UN's annual climate change conference, COP, has attracted criticism even though it hasn't yet started. This year, the 28th Conference of the Parties - COP - will be in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, which also happens to have some of the world's largest oil reserves.

Conference President Sultan Al Jaber is the head of the country's state-owned oil company and has recommended a 'phase down', not a 'phase out', of fossil fuels.

For many activists like Greta Thunberg, including fossil fuel companies at COP actually blocks progress on climate change by ignoring the world's greatest fossil fuel users. It's also led to protests around the world, calling for meaningful action on climate.

With global heating currently heading for 2.5 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial temperatures, one degree higher than agreed in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, many feel let down by COP.

Kenyan climate campaigner Eric Njuguna criticised the conference and its leadership saying, "I think history records will show that in 2023 for COP28, metaphorically speaking, we let a mosquito lead the fight against malaria."

He went on to discuss his concern for the future and for those communities already experiencing the disastrous effects of climate change, a topic he raised at the previous COP.

COP27 saw conference-goers agree on a 'Loss and Damage' fund for those poorer nations with low greenhouse gas emissions, which frequently suffer the consequences of climate change. Wealthier nations from the global north, which emit 92 percent of world emissions, will decide on the amount to be provided at this year's COP. However, there are serious concerns that the fund is now at risk.

As experts declare 2023 to be the hottest ever recorded, the call for meaningful action by governments and organisations is clear. The question is, will the call be answered or ignored?