Tag: COP28

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‘UAE Determined to Unite World at COP28’

The COP28 is opening today with a resounding call to accelerate collective climate action….reports Asian Lite News

UAE is determined to unite the world around climate action and ensure no one is left behind, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said hours before the official opening of the 28th edition of UN Climate Change Conference, COP28, in Expo City Dubai.

“We are honoured to welcome the international community to the UAE for the start of COP28,” Sheikh Mohamed said in a social media post.

“Solving the challenges facing our planet requires a shared vision and collective action, and we are determined to unite the world around climate action and ensure no one is left behind”, he added.

The COP28 is opening today with a resounding call to accelerate collective climate action. The conference takes place in what is already known to be the hottest year ever recorded in human history and as the impacts of the climate crisis wreak unprecedented havoc on human life and livelihoods around the world.

COP28 in Dubai, from 30 November to 12 December 2023, is a decisive moment to act on climate commitments and prevent the worst impacts of climate change. UAE has the presidency for COP28, with Dr Sultan Al Jaber as this year’s president.

This year’s COP marks the conclusion of the “global stocktake”, the first assessment of global progress in implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement. The findings are stark: the world is not on track to limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C by the end of this century. It does recognize that countries are developing plans for a net-zero future, and the shift to clean energy is gathering speed, but it makes clear that the transition is nowhere near fast enough yet to limit warming within the current ambitions.

“We are determined to unite the world around climate action and ensure no one is left behind.”–        H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, UAE President

A report recently published by UN Climate Change News shows that national climate action plans (known as nationally determined contributions, or ‘NDCs’) would collectively lower greenhouse gas emissions to 2% below 2019 levels by 2030, while the science is clear that a 43% reduction is needed.

The global stocktake must be a catalyst for greater ambition in meeting the Paris Agreement’s goals as nations prepare to submit revised national climate action plans by 2025. It lays out actions on how to accelerate emissions cuts, strengthen resilience to climate impacts, and provide the support and finance needed for the transformation.

“Over 160 world leaders are headed to Dubai, because only cooperation between nations can get humanity back in this race. But COP28 cannot be just a photo-op. Leaders must deliver – the message is clear,” said UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. “And as leaders leave Dubai after the opening summit, their message to their negotiators must be equally clear: don’t come home without a deal that will make a real difference.”

Climate finance stands at the heart of this transformation. Replenishing the Green Climate Fund, doubling financial resources for adaptation and operationalizing the loss and damage fund are key to keeping 1.5°C within reach while leaving no one behind.

“The reality is that without much more finance flowing to developing countries, a renewables revolution will remain a mirage in the desert. COP28 must turn it into a reality,” Stiell added.

Progress on climate finance at COP28 will be crucial to build trust in other negotiation areas and to lay the groundwork for an even more ambitious “New Collective Quantified Goal” for climate finance, which must be in place next year. It will also set the stage for a just and inclusive transition to renewable energy and the phasing out of fossil fuels.

In the face of rising conflicts and tensions worldwide, Stiell emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to combat climate change, an area in which nations can work together effectively to ensure a sustainable future both for people and the planet.

“We don’t have any time to waste. We need to take urgent action now to reduce emissions. At COP28, every country and every company will be held to account, guided by the north star of keeping 1.5°C within reach,” said COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber.

“All parties should be prepared to deliver a high ambition decision in response to the global stocktake that reduces emissions while protecting people, lives and livelihoods,” Al Jaber added.

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Window to Address Climate Change Closing Rapidly: IUCN

In an open letter, the chair of seven IUCN Commissions called for a “bold and transformative effort” to solve the challenges linked to climate change and biodiversity loss….reports Asian Lite News

The window of opportunity to address climate change and biodiversity loss is closing rapidly, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) seven Commissions asserted in a clarion call ahead of the COP28 Summit in Dubai.

In an open letter, the chair of seven IUCN Commissions called for a “bold and transformative effort” to solve the challenges linked to climate change and biodiversity loss.

As the seven elected Commission Chairs of the IUCN, they represent over 15,000 scientists, scholars, policymakers, economists, lawyers, and other experts who work on issues related to this mission. COP 28 will take place from November 30 until December 12.

“For the first time, we are writing collectively because COP28 represents not just an opportunity to assess our progress, but to issue a profound call to action. We must adopt a holistic approach that recognizes the interdependence of the climate and biodiversity crises,” the letter mentioned.

The seven commissions are the IUCN Climate Crisis Commission, the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication, the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management, the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic, and Social Policy, the IUCN Species Survival Commission, the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law and IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.

The experts have suggested four key elements — integration, ecosystem integrity, transformation and urgency — that should guide debates at COP28 and beyond over how best to design and deploy innovative solutions to biodiversity loss and climate change.

Under Integration, The IUCN Commissions chair mentioned that the climate challenges require coherent, consistent, and integrated efforts on the part of governments at all levels, sectors, and systems; multilateral and bilateral institutions; communities; businesses; scientists and others to limit global warming to maximum 1.5 degrees Celsius.

While talking about ecosystem integrity, the experts put forth that sustaining healthy ecosystems is essential to halting biodiversity decline and species extinctions and to maintaining ecosystem services that underpin human well-being.

“Addressing the biodiversity and climate crises will require systemic changes in the way we live, changes that can only be achieved through rapid and far-reaching actions across all sectors of a type, scale, and speed never before attempted,” the experts said while emphasising on the need for transformation to address climate change.

While highlighting the urgency of the situation, the letter mentioned: “The window of opportunity to address climate change and biodiversity loss is still open, but it is closing rapidly”.

The letter also spoke about the limitations of previous policies tackling climate change.

“Previous policies have largely tackled the problems of climate change and biodiversity loss independently. Policies that address synergies between mitigating biodiversity loss and climate change, while also considering their societal impacts, offer the opportunity to maximize co-benefits and help meet development aspirations for all,” the letter read.

UN Climate Change conferences (or COPs) take place every year and are the world’s only multilateral decision-making forum on climate change with almost complete membership of every country in the world.

More than 70,000 delegates are expected to attend COP28, including the member states (or Parties) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Business leaders, young people, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples, journalists, and various other experts and stakeholders are also among the participants. (ANI)

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Youth-Led Global Climate Action at COP28

The UAE is determined to make COP28 the most inclusive for youth in the history of the global conference by launching several initiatives and rich programmes….reports Asian Lite News

The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) marks a new journey in global climate action to protect the Earth and its natural resources and secure the future of humanity.

Within the UAE’s global momentum to achieve a qualitative shift in addressing climate change, youth take centre stage, shouldering the responsibility of actively participating in this prominent international event.

The UAE is determined to make COP28 the most inclusive for youth in the history of the global conference by launching several initiatives and rich programmes.

In March 2023, the youth-led “Road to COP28” event at Expo City Dubai focused on four strategic pillars: participation, action, voice, and education. The event saw the launch of critical initiatives to enhance youth participation within the UN climate process and amplify the efforts of youth-led and youth-focused organisations in the global climate community.

Also, the 18th edition of the United Nations Youth Conference (COY18), held last Sunday with the participation of over 1,000 young men and women from various countries, witnessed the launch of numerous initiatives to support youth involvement in global climate action. It provided a platform to discuss and support international climate policies, fostering change at both local and global levels.

In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the opening of COP28, several youths said that COP28 reflects the UAE’s vision of empowering and trusting youth to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development.

Issa Al Falasi, Shahed Khalaf, and Mariam Al Balushi from the UAE stressed that the country recognises the crucial role of young people in all developmental plans and programmes. The environmental and sustainability sector is one of the prominent sectors directly linked to efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development.

Mawada Haider from Sudan affirmed that COP28 is one of the global models inspiring youth empowerment. Since announcing the hosting of this prominent global event, the UAE has been keen on launching qualitative initiatives aimed at youth worldwide, confirming their vital role in the climate and sustainability dossier.

Rania Habbash from Jordan clarified that the UAE introduces pioneering initiatives to empower youth. During her affiliation with the Young Arab Media Leaders Programme, she gained comprehensive insight into global efforts to address climate change and the UAE’s preparations to host COP28.

As COP28 unfolds in Dubai, it symbolises the UAE’s commitment to fostering a global shift towards sustainable climate action, with youth at the forefront.

This conference is taking place at a critical juncture as humanity grapples with the existential threat posed by climate change, encompassing significant risks such as rising sea levels, shifting weather patterns, and increasingly intense natural disasters, leading to the displacement of millions and endangering food and water security.

COP28 marks the culmination of the first comprehensive global assessment of the implementation of the Paris Agreement. These assessments occur every five years, aiming to evaluate the collective progress of the world in achieving its climate goals.

The 28th session of this international event focuses on galvanising global efforts across various fronts to confront the ramifications of climate change, ensuring environmental, food, and health security; achieving an effective and equitable transition in the energy sector; and providing financing for all parties, especially those in the global South.

This event represents a pivotal moment in steering the world towards unified efforts concerning climate action, presenting solutions that necessitate collaboration among different parties and sectors.

The United Nations emphasises COP28 as the starting point for course correction. In its report, the UN highlights that those currently suffering the most from climate change, the most vulnerable, have contributed the least to the climate crisis. Therefore, transitioning towards mobilising funds and fulfilling climate financing commitments, including the annual $100 billion from industrialised nations, becomes imperative.

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Kerry Calls For Accountability, Strong Decisions at COP28

Kerry expressed concern about the lack of follow-through by some nations and stressed the importance of strong outcomes on key issues like the global stocktake…reports Asian Lite News

As global leaders prepare to participate in the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP28 (the 28th Conference of the Parties) in Dubai, starting this Thursday, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry stated that not everybody is doing what they promised, and emphasized the need for accountability during this year’s COP.

In an online press briefing ahead of COP28 on Wednesday, the US climate envoy highlighted that if all the promises from Glasgow and Sharm el-Sheikh were fulfilled, the world could experience either 1.8 degrees or 1.7 degrees of warming by 2050.

He also expressed concern about the lack of follow-through by some nations. “…Also we know from the IEA (International Energy Agency) that if all the promises of Glasgow were fulfilled and all the promises of Sharma el-Sheikh were fulfilled, you could be by 2050 at either 1.8 degrees or 1.7 degrees. So it shows that with this effort, things could be within grasp. They’re not completely for the simple reason that not everybody is doing what they promised to do. And needless to say, that’s a problem. And we need to have accountability at this Cop for that lack of follow-through by some,” he said.

Kerry expressed concern about the lack of follow-through by some nations and stressed the importance of strong outcomes on key issues like the global stocktake, adaptation report, and the establishment of the loss and damage fund.

He underlined the need for the global stocktake to be candid, strong, visionary, and comprehensive.

“Those three mandated issues are, first of all, the global stocktake, which will be a very important document in our judgment. Secondly, the adaptation report that will be coming through and thirdly, the standing up of the loss and damage fund itself. In addition, it provides further guidance going forward to advance the Paris Agreement’s goal of adaptation. I want to underscore, that I think this global stocktake needs to earn the credibility of the world by being candid, strong, visionary, and comprehensive. It needs to lay out for the world what’s happened since Paris. The measurement of the stock date begins with Paris and it goes forward from there…But strong decisions in those three areas that I mentioned are a key measurement of the success of this Cop, the potential success of this Cop,” the climate envoy said.

Additionally, Kerry mentioned a major focus on methane during this year’s summit, involving efforts from oil and gas companies, and countries, and a special initiative by China and the United States.

“This year we’ll be adding a very important contribution with respect to methane, which will involve both oil and gas companies as well as countries, as well as a special effort by China and the United States, which we agreed to in Sunnylands, that we would join together in a summit at this con on the methane issue. Methane, as you know, is responsible for 50 per cent of the global warming that’s taken place. In addition to that, it is far more damaging and far more destructive than CO2. Because methane is in its early years, within the first 20 years, 80 to 100 times more destructive, and in the later years, it is about 20 times more destructive. So we also think it’s the easiest, quickest, fastest cheapest way to begin to get gains against the warming. So there’ll be a major focus on methane. We’ll be focused on shipping through the Green Shipping Challenge,” he said.

While responding to media queries, Kerry also confirmed Washington’s support for the consensus reached at COP27 last year in Sharm el-Sheikh regarding the Loss and Damage Fund. He clarified that the fund aims to assist vulnerable countries without implying liability or compensation.

“The United States fully supports the consensus that was reached by the transitional committee which we served on, and it was reached earlier this month on recommending how you operationalize the funding arrangements for this fund, and how we will respond in a way that the vulnerable and most affected countries feel like the fund is actually helpful…and capable of making a difference. So, we think that this fund, the way it’s designed, will meet the needs of vulnerable countries. We worked hard with our partners to propose ways in which this fund can be stood up quickly but confidently by using the World Bank as the repository, initially and temporarily. And we’re working with partners to develop a framework that’s going to accelerate some of the activities that need to be engaged in now in order to make sure that this fund is going to meet recovery needs, damages from storms and hurricanes, in some cases, moving people out of harm’s way, and early warning of storms,” he said.

“The fund does not represent any expression of liability or compensation or any sort of new legal requirement. But it is going to try to be there for those in the developing world who’ve taken some of the Brunt and whose citizens are in many cases threatened as the consequence of not being able to adapt or build out resilience. And so, you know, it’s a good fund. We support it. We actively worked very hard to create it, and we will continue to be supportive,” he pointed out.

Kerry outlined the prominent roles at COP28, including increased support for all-in-global finance mobilization efforts, finance discussions, and a renewed focus on the 1.5-degree goal. He anticipated the announcement of numerous initiatives, particularly in agriculture and other sectors.

“We’ll also be working to highlight and generate increased support for the all-in-global finance mobilisation effort and finance will take a very prominent role at this cop, partly because of the changes we’ve been able to make at the World Bank, and partly because of new initiatives that are going to be announced in order to accelerate the transition on a global basis. And finally, we’re going to be refocusing effort and energy on the 1.5 degrees, which is the critical guidepost for all of us here. There’ll be efforts on mitigation, and there’ll be efforts on the innovation frontier, particularly with respect to agriculture and other sectors. It’s safe to say that there literally be hundreds of initiatives that will be announced, many of them coming from the United States, but also many coming from other parts of the world. And I think it’s going to be a very exciting presentation of a global effort that is taking place, even though it’s not happening fast enough or big enough yet,” he noted.

Acknowledging the impact on African nations, Kerry emphasized the importance of responding to the unique challenges faced by the continent due to climate change.

“Well, we are keenly aware of the degree to which Africa bears the enormous brunt of the climate crisis on a global basis. I mean, Africa is among the hardest hit. It is the least likely contributor to the problem. So I think we all sense a very special relationship there and a need to respond to what is happening,” he said.

The World Climate Action Summit, the High-Level Segment of COP28, is scheduled from November 30 to December 12 under the UAE’s presidency in Dubai. The host country hopes for a deal on tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, focusing on phasing out fossil fuels, climate finance, and the Global Goal on Adaptation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the summit, having announced specific climate targets during COP26 in Glasgow. His visit includes bilateral meetings with leaders, and it’s at the invitation of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (ANI)

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India Advocates ‘Climate Justice’ Ahead of COP28

The minister also called upon COP28 to increase the funds for global adaptation practices….reports Asian Lite News

Ahead of COP28 in the UAE, Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav underscored the importance of climate justice.

Speaking at the final session of the concluding day of the India Global Forum’s Climate for Business (ClimB) Forum on Wednesday, the Minister stated, “17 per cent of the developed world has a per capita emission of 60 per cent, but what about the 54 African countries? Their carbon emissions are only 4 per cent.”

“When we talk about climate change, we must also discuss climate justice. It is essential to provide a dignified life to every human being and recognize that every country has a right to development,” he said.

Drawing attention to the unfulfilled funding pledges by developed countries, Yadav said, “The promise by developed countries to provide a hundred billion dollars in finance has not been fulfilled till today. So where will the trust come from?”

“In COP28, the outcome of Global Stocktake is very important,” he said while adding that the conference should adopt the framework of the Global Goal on Adaptation.

The minister also called upon COP28 to increase the funds for global adaptation practices.

ClimB Forum, strategically timed on the eve of the COP28 Summit in Dubai, explored the convergence of climate leadership, clean energy, policy strategies and green financing for the promotion of sustainable economic growth and the critical role of technology and innovation in addressing the far-reaching impacts of climate change.

Earlier in the day, Commonwealth Secretary-General Rt Hon Patricia Scotland highlighted the existential threat climate change poses to vulnerable nations.

“One of the reasons why we are so determined to be the difference we need to make now is because if we don’t stop this, if we don’t hold to the 1.5 degrees, there will not just be individuals who will no longer be here; many of our countries will not be here either. You have heard the slogan ‘1.5 to stay alive,’ it’s not a slogan, it’s a lived reality for the 25 small (Commonwealth) states and most of the other developing states in our world.”

Recalling the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in Dominica, an emotional Scotland said, “When you think about climate change, all of us need to understand it is deeply personal. This is not some esoteric, academic exercise. This is people’s lives, their livelihoods and their countries. When someone tells you your island is no more, the graveyards of your parents are at the bottom of the sea, and you have lost your culture, your music, your language, and your people, these things are irreplaceable. That is what existential means, not a word, but a reality.”

“The world accepted that COVID presented an existential threat to us all, and we responded, we acted, we came together and we fought it. The threat that climate change poses is actually an even greater threat and what is really quite curious is: why aren’t we now responding with the same urgency, with the same rigour, and with the same vigour? If you look at where we are now, human genius got us into this mess…and human genius will have to get us out of this mess,” she observed.

The challenges around climate financing and discrimination faced by developing countries were recurring themes that emerged throughout the day.

Highlighting global inequity, Kate Hampton, CEO of The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, noted, “Look at the cost of capital that is faced by developing countries relative to advanced economies. Unless we bring that cost of capital down, countries and communities will find it difficult to invest not only in climate mitigation but also in resilience because a lot of green solutions have a high upfront cost.”

Deepali Khanna, Vice President Asia, at the Rockefeller Foundation, said, “Where a lot more needs to be done is the commitments that have been made so far. When you are looking at developed countries, the hundred billion dollars that we need to be flowing are really the need of the hour. Developing countries need the resources, they need the capacity to be able to absorb this finance as well as get the finance for everything that they need to do.”

The India Global Forum Middle East and Africa 2023 programme convened business leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders from India, the UAE and Africa to discuss opportunities for further collaboration and growth between these regions through a series of exclusive networking opportunities, panel discussions, and keynote speeches, covering a range of topics including trade, investment, innovation, technology, and sustainability. (ANI)

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COP28 Aims to Triple Renewables, Double Energy Efficiency

The negotiations are expected to be focused on phasing out fossil fuels, a gap in climate finance and the framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation at COP28….reports Asian Lite News

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties (COP28), is set to kick off in Dubai on Thursday, where the host country is hoping to land a deal on the tripling of renewable energy and double the energy efficiency improvement rate by 2030.

The negotiations are expected to be focused on phasing out fossil fuels, a gap in climate finance and the framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation at COP28.

COP28 is the UN’s latest round of global climate talks. This year, it is being hosted by the UAE in Dubai and is due to be attended by 167 world leaders, including King Charles III.

The energy transition will be the central theme around COP28, which will take place between November 30 and December 12, 2023, in Dubai on the occasion of the twenty-eighth United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28).

This year’s summit is crucial as it comes against the background of climate urgency and the experts are making a clarion call of now or never.

It’s been an unprecedented year in terms of climate disaster, with the world experiencing its hottest 12 months on record.

Around 70,000 people are expected to attend the event this year. 2023 has seen several crunch summits and conferences trying to tackle the climate crisis. Key moments included the G7, the G20, and the UN Climate Ambition Summit.

The gap in climate finance and the ongoing discussions around the reform of multilateral financial institutions are likely to remain a priority during the summit.

The UAE has announced it will work with COP28 participants to triple the world’s renewable energy capacity and renewable power generation capacity and double the energy efficiency improvement rate by 2030.

This would build on the agreement already made at the G20 in India this year.

Negotiators are also hoping to launch the framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation at COP28, meaning they hope to agree to various aspects of the framework, including its purpose, principles, dimensions, themes, cross-cutting considerations, sources, and targets. COP28 could be a turning point to close the growing adaptation financial gap.

The expected outcome at COP28 on loss and damage is the ‘operationalisation’ of the fund. Since COP27, there have been five meetings of the Transitional Committee, which has been tasked with making recommendations for COP28.

India is not mincing words about its energy security needs and reliance on coal to meet its peak power demand, which crossed 240 GW this year. India’s coal production has seen a considerable increase in the last 10 years.

From about 565.7 MT in 2013-14, it has reached 893.08 MT in 2022-23. It is expected to touch 1,012 MT by 2023-24 and 1.5 billion tonnes by 2030. It has been acknowledged by both private and public sector experts that the environmental impacts associated with underground coal mines are lesser when compared to opencast mines; the increase in coal production has largely come from opencast mines.

It is held that opencast coal mines often result in deforestation, displacement and pollution issues. In the last 10 years, the share of underground coal mines in India’s total coal production has come down from close to 9 per cent in 2013-14 to about 4 per cent in 2022-23.

While India is transitioning to a larger share of clean energy sources, it needs to source finance to support the development of green energy corridors and an improved grid infrastructure to support the growth. The G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration has underlined the need for USD 5.8-5.9 trillion in the pre-2030 period for developing countries to meet the net zero target

Through the Green Zone, the COP28 UAE Presidency offers the private sector the opportunity to showcase their contributions and solutions to the global climate challenge.

Pope Francis to miss COP28

Amidst health concerns, Pope Francis has cancelled his trip to Dubai.

A statement released on Tuesday evening by the Holy See Press Office said, “Even though the Holy Father’s general health situation has improved in relation to the flu and respiratory tract inflammation he has been suffering from, his doctors have asked the Pope not to undertake his scheduled visit to Dubai in the coming days, on the occasion of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”

The 86-year-old Pope was scheduled to leave on Friday, December 1 to address the Conference of the Parties (COP28), in Expo city, Dubai on Saturday; his attendance would have made him the first pontiff to address a UN climate conference. On Sunday, the supreme pontiff was set to inaugurate a faith pavilion on the sidelines of the event.

In order to facilitate the Pope’s recovery, some important engagements scheduled for these days have been postponed, Vatican News reported.

Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said Francis’s health was improving after the flu and inflammation of his respiratory tract forced him to cancel his audiences.

According to the Vatican statement, the pope agreed not to travel “with great regret.” The statement added that it would look into ways that the leader of the world’s Roman Catholics could contribute to the climate discussions remotely. (ANI)

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COP28: India Seeks Concrete Action on Climate Funding, Tech Transfer

The Finance Minister of India made the comments during a virtual session at the inaugural event of India Global Forum Middle East and Africa 2023 (IGF ME&A) held in Dubai.

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called for concrete action on climate funding and transfer of technology at the upcoming global climate summit COP28, where policymakers and governments will converge to chalk future strategy for climate mitigation.

The Finance Minister made the comments during a virtual session at the inaugural event of India Global Forum Middle East and Africa 2023 (IGF ME&A) held in Dubai on Monday.

“India will certainly be pushing forward to showcase what it has achieved with its own funds. The Paris commitment given by us has been funded by us. We didn’t wait for the hundred billion that is never on the table. A lot of talk, but no money coming on the table. No pathways to show how technology is going to be transferred,” Nirmala Sitharaman observed.

Climate finance typically refers to any financing that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change.

Demanding action instead of words, the Union Minister said, “Particularly for developing and emerging market economies, funding this is going to be a huge challenge. So, I would think the conversations can happen; a lot of talks can happen but eventually, COP28 should show the direction, both for the transfer of technology and for the actual funding.”

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held from November 30 until December 12, in Dubai.

While she admitted that there would be challenges, Nirmala Sitharaman said that the current geopolitical tensions in the Middle East would not affect the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEEC) that was announced during the G20 Summit back in September.

“It is a vision for long-term considerations and it is going to be a long-term project. It’s not just going to depend on one or another major event pertaining to the area. It is going to be pursued because India has a very good relationship with each of the Middle East countries. So, IMEEC, or the India, Middle East, and Europe Economic Corridor is not going to be dependent on one or the other major event of concern, but it is something on which the vision drives the implementation in the long run,” she noted.

“So, it’s going to face challenges alright, but it has got its own strengths, and countries who are directly or indirectly involved with this project are absolutely clear that this, through India, is going to be critical for global trade, global partnerships and also making sure that this corridor will benefit each one of these countries,” she said.

Under the theme ‘Unleashing Ambitions,’ IGF ME&A convenes business leaders, policymakers, and thought leaders from India, the Middle East, and Africa to discuss opportunities for further collaboration and growth between these regions through a series of exclusive networking opportunities, panel discussions, and keynote speeches, covering a range of topics including trade, investment, innovation, technology, and sustainability.

UAE’s AI Minister, Omar Al Olama, emphasised the indispensability of artificial intelligence and its impact on society.

“If anyone, whether it’s in the UAE or another country, says we’re going to stop or not allow you to use these tools, how will it impact your quality of life? It’s going to have a detrimental impact on your quality of life. This is the fact of the matter. That’s why countries like India, for example, went down the non-conventional path of creating their own platforms, which I think is very smart and really the way that many countries of that size need to go. In that sense, AI is driving the economy. AI is impacting society. And AI is today the technology that is enabling people to go into the 21st century in the right way. Governing it the right way, regulating it the right way and developing certain forms of the right way is really the only way to go,” Olama said.

Omar bin Sultan Al Olama

On AI regulation, Olama expressed his scepticism, saying, “Calls for regulation of AI are non-starters and I’ve been saying this for a few years and the reason why is it’s as if I told someone I’m going to regulate a field of computer science or I’m going to regulate electricity. You don’t regulate electricity; you regulate where electricity is used and what are the outcomes. And AI is a field of computer science. It is very difficult for you to have one set of regulations that cut across all its use cases.”

“The second thing is the impact of AI differs on geography. So, I’m sure the Indian stakeholders in India that are looking at the impact of AI in India will see much different challenges to India than I’m seeing in the UAE because of demographic differences, because of different job classes and types of jobs and maturity of the technology.”

IGF Forum also witnessed interventions from Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Gujarat Industries Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Author and Monk Gaur Gopal Das, Sandeep Aggarwal, Founder and CEO of Droom Technology, representative from Zupee and some other startups from India.

At the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had committed to an ambitious five-part “Panchamrit” pledge, including reaching 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity, generating half of all energy requirements from renewables, to reducing emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030.

India also aims to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45 per cent. Finally, India commits to net-zero emissions by 2070. (ANI)

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COP28 Last Chance For Course Correction: WEC Chief

“Our focus should be on redesigning the entire energy system and humanising the energy challenge,” said Dr. Angela Wilkinson.

COP28 is the world’s last chance to rectify its climate course, the World Energy Council’s Secretary General and CEO said today during the Dubai Future Forum 2023.

Dr. Angela Wilkinson told the world’s largest gathering of futurists that the international community must harness all foresight and future thinking capabilities to address shifts in social structures and societal transformation, particularly concerning energy usage.

“We are in a new era of energy transition – for both the people and the planet,” she said, urging a more pragmatic approach to the energy transition and describing the challenge of having to “navigate an ocean of future thinking and foresight”.

In her keynote speech, Dr. Wilkinson emphasised, “We must bear in mind that every living system undergoes a fundamental transformation of its underlying energy system. Reflecting on the last century, we must adopt a different perspective and consider the broader picture. Future and foresight are critical to energy transition.”

Further underscoring her point, she stated, “Merely 7 percent of the world’s energy system comprises wind and solar energy, and only 2 percent of personal vehicles are electric. The pace of decarbonisation is much slower than necessary, and over 3 billion people worldwide lack sufficient access to affordable energy.”

Acknowledging a significant disruption in energy over the past few years, Dr. Wilkinson highlighted the compounding crises across modern energy societies and stressed that “we must strive for the best, but always remain open to what might differ from our expectations.”

“In our search for solutions, we must take stock of our expectations. COP28 represents the last chance for course correction. Our focus should be on redesigning the entire energy system and humanising the energy challenge. There is no one-size-fits-all solution,” she added.

She also emphasised the importance of overcoming fear regarding climate change, stating, “We need to bridge the gap between climate catastrophism and technological hyperbolism, fostering a new middle movement that considers what is both desirable and realistic.”

The Dubai Future Forum, taking place on 27th-28th November, brings together over 2,500 global experts from diverse future-focused fields, with broad participation from ministers, government officials, industry policymakers, CEOs, and more than 100 top global organisations from over 100 countries. The forum features more than 150 speakers across more than 70 sessions over the two days.

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Expo City Dubai All Set For COP28

UAE Vice President H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed toured Expo City Dubai to inspect final preparations for COP28

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has inspected the final preparations for COP28, including the administrative, logistical, and operational preparations for its events, which will kick off on 30th November.

During an inspection tour of Expo City Dubai, Sheikh Mansour toured the venue of the World Climate Action Summit, the sites of the pavilions of countries and organisations, and the halls that will host all meetings of the parties to discuss the negotiating texts.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour was accompanied by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and President of COP 28, along with a number of members of COP28 Higher Committee.

He listened to a briefing from the COP28 team on the most prominent events that the conference will witness, which is expected to be attended by more than 160 heads of state and government, 85,000 participants, and more than 5,000 representatives of the media accredited by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

COP28 is of particular significance as it will witness the response to the first global stocktake to assess progress in implementing the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

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COP28: Climate-Friendly Menus Take Centre Stage

The COP28 Catering Team has been working with Nutritics to support FB vendors by providing access to its platform to enable vendors to calculate the carbon and water intensity of menu items…reports Asian Lite News

COP28 UAE will offer the first 1.5° C-aligned menu at a COP conference, as part of its objective of making the conference carbon-neutral.

More than 90 food and beverage outlets will showcase a diverse range of cuisines, including a unique 100 percent vegan food truck park and Alkebulan, the world’s first African dining hall.

It is anticipated that 250,000 meals will be served every day of the 12-day event.

To ensure menus are climate-conscious and sustainable, COP28 mandates caterers to minimize waste, use sustainable packaging, provide training, and recycle where possible. COP28 is working with Expo City Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre and Erth to ensure FB vendors are supported as much as possible in achieving the challenging Sustainable Catering Strategy.

The COP28 Catering Team has been working with Nutritics to support FB vendors by providing access to its platform to enable vendors to calculate the carbon and water intensity of menu items. Caterers have been asked to ensure that at least 50 percent of food served falls within sustainable limits for carbon and water intensity, as well as aligning with UAE guidelines on macronutrients. By providing carbon-conscious choices and supporting information, delegates will be able make informed eating choices at COP28.

COP28, alongside the Chef’s Manifesto, and under the patronage of Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, hosted a workshop in October to explain the science and rationale behind the Sustainable Catering Strategy. For more information on this, please follow @climateconsciouscatering on Instagram.

Visitors will have an abundance of choices in the Blue and Green Zones, and reservations are now open for select restaurants, via Eat App.

Blue Zone reservations can be booked from 30 November to 12 December and require the necessary accreditation for Blue Zone access.

Those with a Green Zone Pass can make a reservation for a restaurant in the Green Zone from 3 to 12 December.

Selected restaurants in the Green Zone

Assembly Mezze Skewers: Chef Athanasios Kargatzidis, the mastermind behind Baron, Lebanon’s top-ranked restaurant in the MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants guide for 2022 and 2023, is proud to bring Assembly Mezze Skewers to COP28.

Alif Café: This proud Expo 2020 Dubai-born brand is a farm2table-led concept, which champions organic and sustainable produce and carbon-neutral techniques.

PXB: Located in the Terra pavilion across three floors, PXB offers a plant-based menu, spanning everything from all-day brunch specialties such as buckwheat pancakes and date syrup, to mains like katsu curry, loaded burritos and Asian noodles.

The Four Food Truck Parks: Combining brands such as Dubai-founded burger joint Pickl, Mexican hotspot Taco Club, Asian street food specialists Baofriend, homegrown authentic Vietnamese restaurant Vietnamese Foodies and much more. It will also offer a pop-up cart from Dubai community coffee shop Spill the Bean, hailed by The Financial Times as one of the world’s best independent coffee shops.

Expo City Farm: This will make its debut as part of COP28’s Green Zone, featuring both indoor and outdoor spaces growing crops, fruits and vegetables.

Q Coffee: More than just a coffee shop, the concept is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Women’s Economic Development program. Organized in partnership with Sustainable Growers, it has helped provide financial independence to over 724,000 women, and consequently uplifted 2.8 million children. Q Coffee is a celebration of Rwandan culture, heritage, and coffee, and offers tastings and workshops in coffee making and fair-trade practices.

Hideaway: The spirited sibling of London’s Hide by Chef Ollie Dabbous will make its UAE debut and is proud to bring its modern British and Mediterranean cuisine to the Green Zone.

Reform Bar Grill: This gastropub will serve up signature British comfort foods.

Tost: Acclaimed Emirati chef Faisel Nasser will offer the ultimate winter comfort foods through his new concept Tost. Specializing in soups and loaded cheese toasties, it will be the ideal fuel for a busy day at Expo City Dubai.

Selected restaurants in the Blue Zone

PXB Partners: This is a whole food truck concept dedicated exclusively to 100 percent plant-based food, starring five of the world’s leading vegan restaurants: Farmacy, Roots Rolls, Chuck Chick, Wild and the Moon and Floozie Cookies. Other casual Blue Zone food trucks that require no reservations include vegan ice cream brand House of Pops and Emirati dessert specialist Legaimat by Al Fanar.

Gup Shup: Rohit Ghai will offer his contemporary take on authentic Indian street food through Gup Shup, his brand-new concept at Expo City Dubai.

Philly Jawn by Ghostburger: Bringing an all-American twist to the event with its special COP28 menu of towering smash burgers and sandos.

AJEENÉ: Chef Faisel Nasser will keep the flavors of the Levantine region alive at AJEENÉ. The vibrant venue will invite COP28 guests to experience a taste of authentic Middle Eastern mezze.

Yamanote Collective: This will be the first all-day-dining concept from UAE-born Japanese bakery Yamanote Atelier, and the eighth branch of Vietnamese Foodies.

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