Starting November 30, the United Nations's Climate Change Conference, also known as COP28, will be ongoing in Dubai, United Arab Emirates until December 12. The COP28 brings delegates from around the world to discuss various climate-related issues and will conclude with the first ever global stocktake. Learn more about the conference below!
History of COP28
On March 21, 1994, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was ratified by 198 countries. Because of all those who ratified it, the conference is known as the COP, Conference of the Parties. Its aim was to prevent "dangerous" human action with the climate. During the Convention, which marked the start of this Conference, countries recognized there was a growing climate problem and set a goal of stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations.
The COP, which is hosted every year, is the world's only multilateral decision-making forum on climate change. Over 70,000 delegates attend including politicians, business leaders, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples, journalists, and other stakeholders. Topics discussed this year include limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
This year, the COP President is Dr. Sultan al-Jaber, the UAE environment minister and CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. The President makes sure rules and procedures are being followed and works with delegations to reach consensus. COP Presidents are selected by group members of the host region through a nomination. Usually, the country holding the COP Presidency is also the COP host country.
COP28 Updates
Because the COP28 lasts 13 days, multiple events and discussions are being held throughout each day. As a result, the COP site offers a live blog that shows what head topics or discussions are happening daily. Recent headlines include:
- Climate finance is a key enabler of climate action
- Runway to net zero in the fashion industry
- Celebrating youth-led climate solutions
As far as the United States, the delegation to the COP28 includes various senior U.S. officials. They include:
- Vice President Kamala Harris
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken
- Chair Brenda Mallory
- John Podesta
- Ali Zaidi
- Michael Regan
Global Stocktake
The first-ever global stocktake will conclude during COP28. A stocktake "will be a Party-driven process conducted in a transparent manner and with the participation of non-Party stakeholders." It allows countries and stakeholders to see where their progress has gone and where it hasn't. The stocktake analyzes whether countries are meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement and where they are lacking.
Extra Resources
Browse news and press releases regarding UN Climate Change efforts
An analysis of G20 countries' climate targets, mitigation strategies, and physical risk exposures
Overview of adaption in regard to climate change
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