UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties opens on November 30th
Special efforts to preserve the Earth are expected to lead to various investments and projects
28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) Soon to be held
The countdown to the opening of the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in the UAE has begun in earnest on the 30th of this month. The UAE, which was selected as the host country at the end of 2021, appointed HE Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Technology and Chairman of Abu Dhabi's national oil company ADNOC, as UAE Chairman in January, and later HE Mariam Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Ministry of Environment, joined the chairmanship and is actively participating in external activities. The UAE's movement to limit the rise in global temperature and encourage global participation began a long time ago.
COP28 Overview and Features
COP (Conference of the Parties) is an international conference where countries that adopted the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992 gather every year to share each country's efforts and processes to minimize climate change and reach agreement on future measures. The number 28 stands for the 28th conference, and COP28 will be held at Expo City Dubai for 30 days from November 12 to December 13 this year. It first started in 1995 in Berlin, Germany, and COP03 (1997) was held in Tokyo, Japan, and COP21 (2015) was held in Paris, France. Looking at the MENA region alone, this is the fourth event to be held following Qatar (COP18, 2012), Morocco (COP22, 2016), and Egypt (COP27, 2022).
In this CO28, an implementation status check (Global Stocktake) is scheduled, which is a procedure to check the progress and progress of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which is the climate change response and greenhouse gas reduction goal previously submitted by the parties. . In addition, in-depth discussions will be held on topics such as the transition to clean energy, the introduction of climate funds and new models for developing countries, and nature and humanity, with the goal of 2030. In addition, it was the first to operate theme days with themes of health, finance, food and nature, and is evaluated as the COP that will cover the most comprehensive topics ever.
UAE's National reduction target (NDC)
<UAE’s 7rd NDC submitted last July>
[Source: UAE Climate Change and Ministry of Environment]
Ahead of COP28, the UAE government submitted its third national reduction target (NDC) on July 7 under the theme of ‘Accelerating Action Towards a Green, Inclusive and Resilient Economy’. did.
The UAE submitted INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contributions)* in October 2015, before ratification of the Paris Agreement, and has since strengthened the target level in accordance with the principle of progress, submitting a total of three national reduction targets (NDC)**.
Note*: Reduction proposals submitted before the Paris Agreement became binding on the NDC process.
– (1st) December 2020, 2nd NDC (Second Nationally Determined Contribution)
– (2nd) September 2022, A Bridge to Greater Climate Ambition
Ahead of the net-zero era, the 3rd NDC encompasses the UAE's response measures to climate change, including absolute and unconditional reduction targets by 2030, adaptation and implementation, and implementation measures, and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 2030 MtCO182e by 2. Detailed reduction goals and implementation plans for industry, transportation, waste, construction, and agriculture are listed.
According to the UAE government's announcement, this reduction target was set based on the vision of more than 2050 existing federal countries and major policies by emirate, private sector, and industry, centered on the UAE Net Zero 30 initiative, which aims for carbon neutrality. Focusing on UAE climate change and the Ministry of Environment, we referenced best practices from federal and emirate government ministries, private companies, and related organizations, and the names of related organizations and policies can be found in the table below.
[Source: UAE Climate Change and Ministry of Environment]
In addition, the Council for Climate Change and Environment, established in 2016, was reorganized into the Council on Climate Action in 2022 and designated as an organization responsible for establishing related policies and acting as a bridge between ministries and emirates. The Climate Action Committee is known to be chaired by the current Minister of Climate Change and the Ministry of Environment, Mariam, and is composed of eight federal ministries including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry of Industry and Technology, seven emirate government environment departments, and multiple private sector representatives. was not opened separately, but there were media reports that three meetings were held this year alone.
<Preview of the meeting with Minister Mariam (center left photo) presiding over the meeting>
[Source: WAM.AE]
implication
According to media reports, at the 10rd Climate Action Committee meeting held on October 3, the status of COP28 preparations, related projects to achieve the UAE National Reduction Target (NDC), measurement system and reporting system, and a digital platform for establishing a carbon registration and trading system were discussed. and service development, etc., followed in-depth discussions.
Key figures from various fields, including Climate Change and the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the governments of each emirate, the Aviation Authority, the Abu Dhabi Financial Supervisory Service, the Abu Dhabi Energy Company (TAQA), and Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) gathered together. At the meeting, Minister Mariam said that as the COP28 opening date gets closer, the UAE's commitment to respond to climate change and reduce greenhouse gases becomes stronger. He also emphasized that special efforts and various projects are being made to successfully complete the journey of preserving the Earth, and that mutual cooperation is essential.
As the detailed plan to achieve the UAE's national reduction target (NDC) includes the efforts of most government ministries and energy-related state-owned enterprises, intensive investment and cooperation between the public and private sectors are expected to achieve the unconditional reduction goal.
Source: Compilation of data from COP28, BBC, UAE climate change, Ministry of Environment, Gulfnews, local media, KOTRA Dubai Trade Center