New Delhi, Amidst growing concerns about climate change, a special conference held in Abu Dhabi on November 12 has set the stage for COP28, emphasizing the urgent need for climate action. Organized by the Observer Research Foundation in collaboration with the UAE’s Emirates Policy Center, the conference brought together over 100 delegates from 61 countries, discussing critical recommendations on climate change made during India’s G20 presidency.
The Abu Dhabi conference focused on four key themes that echo the major concerns of the Global South regarding climate action. The insights gained from this gathering are crucial as COP28 unfolds in the UAE from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
Key Themes Explored:
1. Energy Prosperity for All:
The conference stressed the global imperative of transitioning towards clean energy sources, ensuring the planet stays within the 1.5-degree redline. The Energy Transitions Working Group, established during India’s G20 presidency, outlined six priority areas to achieve equity in energy transition, emphasizing harmony within the global community.
2. Climate and Technology:
Recognizing the role of technological innovation in combating climate change, the conference highlighted the need for global technology transfer mechanisms, reforming intellectual property rights regimes, and building technological capacity in developing nations. The G20 has endorsed international cooperation, investment, and policy frameworks, leaving the onus on COP28 to create a conducive environment for these initiatives.
3. Climate Finance:
Acknowledging the necessity of scaling up global climate finance, the conference addressed the challenge of mobilizing funds to help developing nations move towards a net-zero trajectory. The loss and damage fund from COP27 and the call for public and private finance commitments were emphasized, highlighting the need for reform and enlargement of international financial institutions.
4. Climate-Health-Gender Nexus:
The conference recognized the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and recommended placing gender equality at the core of climate action. It also emphasized the crucial link between climate patterns, health consequences, and the need to factor these into national climate plans.
Pathway from G20 to COP28:
Dr. Sultan al-Jaber, president-designate of COP28, assured delegates that their voices from around the world were being heard at the highest level. He emphasized COP28’s goal of framing climate action as an opportunity for growth, calling for a fair and inclusive global energy transition. Al-Jaber’s commitments included fulfilling the $100 billion pledge, replenishing the Green Climate Fund, doubling adaptation finance, and operationalizing the loss and damage fund. He applauded India’s energy transition vision, promising a cooperative and multilateral approach during his COP presidency.
The Abu Dhabi conference sets the tone for COP28, encouraging a dynamic and durable pathway from the G20’s climate discussions to actionable outcomes at COP28.
