This year, the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (or COP28 for short) touches down in the UAE. What is COP28? A fortnight-long environmental conference, COP28 is where world leaders, delegates and stakeholders all come together to discuss and negotiate global efforts to combat climate change.

COP28 stands at a landmark halfway point. It’s exactly seven years since the Paris Agreement was set, and it is seven years away from 2030, the deadline when global emissions must be halved.

Hosting this significant conference is critical for Dubai. As the Emirate city gears up to standing on the world stage, Dubai is boldly signalling that it’s prepared to lead both the conversation and the way to global decarbonisation.

From what will be discussed over the conference to what hosting it means to Dubai, our COP28 UAE guide reveals all.

When is COP28 UAE?

Taking place between the 30th of November and the 12th of December 2023, COP28 dates span a fortnight of forums organised by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The COP28 location, Expo City Dubai, will welcome over 70,000 participants, including over 140 heads of state and senior government leaders.

What is on the agenda at COP28 UAE?

Since humanity is at the halfway milestone moment of the 2015 Paris Agreement, front and centre at COP28 is the Global Stocktake of worldwide efforts to limit temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This Global Stocktake represents a thorough evaluation of the advancements made toward realising the objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Recognising the current divergence from the intended path, COP28 President-Designate Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber has expressed his commitment to preserving the 1.5°C target’s significance. This endeavour includes ensuring that the international community responds to the Stocktake with a well-defined action plan, encompassing strategies to address the existing gaps in progress.

 What else will be discussed at COP28 UAE?

With a holistic approach to tackling global climate change, the Presidency has drawn up an ambitious thematic COP28 program for the two weeks. COP28 opens with the two-day World Climate Action Summit. This sees civil society businesses, youth, and Indigenous Peoples’ organizations unite with leaders to discuss scaling climate action.

Each day that follows is dedicated to a singular theme, from health, relief, recovery and peace to nature and land use and energy and industry. On each of these days, experts will unite to boost policies and scale-up financing to support each vital cause.

No aspect of environmental wellbeing will go uncovered at COP28, be it conserving precious biodiversity hotspots, transitioning to sustainable transportation methods or empowering the next generation with the tools and knowledge they need to keep the planet thriving.

What the UAE is doing to support sustainability

On a local level, the UAE is deeply aligned with global sustainability goals. Not only does the UAE Green Agenda 2030 plan to lower emissions to less than 100 kilowatt-hours, but UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has declared 2023 as the “Year of Sustainability.”

Under this banner, year-long initiatives have been set to inspire collective action to address climate change. These initiatives include the Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, which integrates renewable energy, transportation and waste projects to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 C compared to pre-industrial levels.

What hosting COP28 UAE means for Dubai

By hosting COP28, Dubai is demonstrating remarkable leadership when it comes to shaping climate change discourse. With the world’s attention squarely on the city, Dubai has a unique opportunity to demonstrate its progressive environmental initiatives, cutting-edge infrastructure and a visionary approach to urban development.

COP28 UAE presents not only an economic boost but also a catalyst for sustainable growth and innovation, positioning Dubai as a beacon of hope and progress in the collective effort to combat climate change.

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