The Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international conference that seeks to discuss the future possibilities and actions towards climate change. The goal is to bring different countries, nations and most importantly, a variety of stakeholders (observers, NGOs, charities, indigenous communities) together and find feasible solutions that address climate change immediately, while considering the impacts and concerns of the different parties. The Paris Climate Agreement has been pushed forward and made possible by COP 21. COP28 UAE took place from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
COP conferences are known for its inclusivity of different groups of people, which fosters productive circles of discussions. It is a highly anticipated event with over 70,000 delegates, including heads of state and world leaders joining hands with the science industry to sign off measures and policies that will help the world move towards a more sustainable future.
What had been achieved in previous COPs?
Kyoto Protocol: COP3 in Kyoto, 1997
The Kyoto Protocol is one of the first agreements that countries from all over the world have come together and set a goal in regards to climate change and carbon emissions. The most notable policy was setting an agreement for the amount of greenhouse gas emissions each individual country is allowed to produce. This was a huge step for the sustainability industry and scientists; even though the science of climate change was apparent then, there were many “climate-change-deniers”, scientists, and politicians who simply argued against the presence of climate change and refused to take actions towards this “non-existent problem”.
Paris Agreement: COP21 in Paris, 2015
One of the most important international treaties ever signed in the sustainability industry is the Paris Agreement. The legally binding international treaty aims to keep the global average temperature below 2 degrees celsius and aspires to control global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees celsius.
Conclusion
To tackle the pressing issue of climate change, nations must put aside their differences and work together to a more sustainable future. COP conferences are an example of a step in the right direction.
Work Cited
Cop28. (2023). What Is COP28, and why is it important? - COP28 UAE. [online] Available at: https://www.cop28.com/en/what-is-cop [Accessed 29 Feb. 2024].
Office, M. (2022). What is COP? [online] Met Office. Available at: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/climate/cop/what-is-cop. [Accessed 29 Feb. 2024].
Unfccc.int. (2020). What is the Kyoto Protocol? | UNFCCC. [online] Available at: https://unfccc.int/kyoto_protocol [Accessed 29 Feb. 2024].
United Nations (2023). Climate: Key facts on COP28. [online] United Nations Western Europe. Available at: https://unric.org/en/climate-key-facts-on-cop28/ [Accessed 29 Feb. 2024].
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