Guests Nigel Topping, Vanessa Nakate, and Jordan Dunbar discuss the roles and atmosphere at COP28, approaches to climate change in developed countries, challenges of COP28, funding and progress in climate change initiatives, and staying positive as a climate journalist.
Renewable energy deployment and the transition to electric vehicles are showing exponential growth, providing hope to achieve the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
COP28 emphasizes the importance of side events and collaborations to drive change in specific sectors, in addition to formal negotiations.
Deep dives
Overview of COP28
COP28, the Climate Change Summit, is taking place in the United Arab Emirates. It is a gathering where nearly 192 countries come together through the United Nations to discuss international climate negotiations. The summit provides an opportunity to review each country's nationally determined contributions and assess progress in reducing emissions. COP28 focuses on the urgent need to cut carbon emissions globally, with the goal of peaking emissions by 2030 and achieving a 43-50% reduction by then.
Main challenges in reducing carbon emissions
Global carbon emission reductions are not progressing well, as we are yet to peak in emissions. The required reduction of 43-50% by 2030 is still far from being achieved. However, there are positive signs in the areas of renewable energy deployment and the transition to electric vehicles. These sectors are showing exponential growth, providing hope that we can reach the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. COP28 aims to urge countries to meet and improve their nationally determined contributions to accelerate emission reductions.
The focus on finance at COP28
Finance is a significant topic at COP28, with discussions centering around providing funds for adaptation, infrastructure investment, and addressing loss and damage caused by climate change. Developing countries, particularly those in the global south, are most affected by climate change despite contributing the least to global emissions. The hope is to secure substantial financial support through grants, as opposed to loans, to help vulnerable communities adapt and recover from the impacts of climate change.
Other key aspects of COP28
Apart from the formal negotiations, COP28 also emphasizes the importance of side events and discussions. These events allow for collaboration, partnerships, and deals to be made outside the main negotiation process. Progress can be seen in initiatives like the Just Energy Transition Partnership and coalitions that aim to drive change in specific sectors. Journalists and observers are encouraged to look beyond the official negotiations and focus on advancements made through these side events and collaborations.
The 28th Climate Change Conference starts on Thursday in Dubai, and we’re giving you all the information you need to make sense of it.
To guide us through:
- Nigel Topping, business champion at the Climate Change Committee
- Vanessa Nakate, climate activist and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
- Jordan Dunbar, host of BBC’s The Climate Question podcast
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
Today's Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Flynn with Joe Wilkinson and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The senior news editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Sam Bonham.
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