A first-hand account of what happened at the UN Climate Conference COP28 in Dubai by Lisa Sullivan, Senior Program Officer for Integral Ecology at the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns.
December 12, 2023
After two grueling weeks of negotiations at COP28, representatives of the world’s nations stood in applause to acknowledge a surprising breakthrough agreement that signals the coming end of the fossil fuel era.
‘Transition Away’ from Fossil Fuels
For the first time in almost three decades, the UN Climate Change Convention named the elephant in the room – fossil fuels – and called for a transition away from them. While many nations and climate justice activists pushed hard for a stronger verb – that of fossil fuel phaseout – most heralded the final deal, known as the Global Stocktake, as a victory.
Until the additional all-night session on Dec. 12, such an agreement seemed unlikely. Although over a hundred countries came into the conference calling loudly for fossil fuel phaseout the oil producing countries of OPEC openly tried to subvert any deal. The European Union, United States and others sought to find a diplomatic solution that would bring all into the fold. The result was a less forceful agreement but one that in the eleventh hour, brought unanimous approval.
This decision would not have been possible had it not been for the leadership of climate-vulnerable countries such as small island states who face possible erasure from sea level rise. They were backed by tens of thousands of activists who refused to give up, lining the entrance to the final plenary in silence with the banners pleading “hold the line.”
New Multilateralism
The gathering also affirmed Pope Francis’ call in Laudate Deum for "a multilateralism ‘from below’ and not simply one determined by the elites of power" as the means to turn the world away from global climate catastrophe. To achieve this, the pope said new procedures for decision-making are needed, as are "spaces for conversation, consultation, arbitration, conflict resolution and supervision, and, in the end, a sort of increased ‘democratization’ in the global context, so that the various situations can be expressed and included.” Although illness prevented him from attending, the pope’s statement was read aloud by Vatican Secretary of State to COP28 delegates, giving clarity to the call for the elimination of fossil fuels.
Loss and Damage and Other Agreements
Other agreements were also forged, such as the consolidation of the Loss and Damage Fund agreed to unanimously on the first day. This fund will offer financial help to countries already devastated by climate disasters, but now the hard task of filling its coffers begins. Agreements were also made to triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency, and drastically reduce methane emissions. The COP28 summit also approved the proposal to hold COP29 in Azerbaijan.
Much Work Still To Do
The road ahead will not be easy. Scientists agree that greenhouse gas emissions must be slashed 43% this decade if the planet is to stay within the 1.5 temperature rise. But the path has been laid.
Climate activists left the venue committed to leading the charge to close loopholes such as carbon capture storage and to pressure nations to follow through on a just and equitable transition. All nations are required to present new goals with a deadline of 2025 when COP30 will be held in the Brazilian Amazon with the leadership of President Lula.
Webinar: COP28 Outcomes and Next Steps
The Maryknoll family was represented at COP28 by Sister Susan Nchubiri, MM, and Lisa Sullivan. Please join them in a webinar on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 10AM ET to learn more about the lively events of COP 28, its surprising outcomes, and the challenges ahead. Register for the webinar here.