The upcoming UN conference taking place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023 marks the 28th gathering of world leaders around the challenge of global warming. Learn about the COPs journey and what to expect from this latest conference in this article.
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The upcoming UN conference taking place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12, 2023 marks the 28th gathering of world leaders around the challenge of global warming since the first "Conference of the Parties" in 1995. Here are some key moments in the history of these climate negotiations, starting with notable dates in the evolution of knowledge about climate change and its causes.
In the 1890s, Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius calculated the effect that doubling atmospheric CO2 levels would have on global temperature, and his findings demonstrated how the burning of fossil fuels contributed to global warming.
In 1938, British engineer Guy Callendar hypothesized a connection between rising temperatures and rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.
In 1958, American scientist Charles David Keeling began systematically measuring CO2 levels, which led to the famous "Keeling Curve" showing a steady increase in CO2 concentrations.
In 1988, climate scientist James Hansen warned the U.S. Congress about the effects of global warming caused by greenhouse gases from industrial activity.
Second UN World Climate Conference (1990): the risks of global warming were highlighted and binding emission targets were proposed.
Rio Earth Summit (1992): the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is signed, which establishes the idea of "common but differentiated responsibilities" to address emissions, recognizing that developed countries have a greater responsibility due to their historical emissions. This summit also established negotiating tracks to protect biodiversity and achieve other environmental objectives.
First "Conference of the Parties" (COP) (1995): the signatory countries of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meet in Berlin, where a final agreement is reached that establishes legally binding emission reduction targets.
Kyoto Protocol (1997): The "parties" adopt an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It should be noted that in 2000, after losing the U.S. presidential election, Al Gore began a world tour giving lectures on climate science and policy. These talks were later transformed into the documentary film "An Inconvenient Truth" released in 2006. The film won an Oscar, and both Gore and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change received the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2001, U.S. President George W. Bush criticized the Kyoto Protocol, announcing the country's withdrawal from it. After a complex ratification process, the Protocol entered into force in 2005.
COP 13, Bali (2007) - Delegates work on a new binding agreement for both developed and developing countries. A key agreement was reached with specific reduction targets for developed countries, as well as reduction commitments for developing countries.
Copenhagen Summit (2009): despite high expectations, a binding agreement to reduce global emissions is not reached.
COP 16, Cancun (2010): no new binding emissions targets were set, but the Green Climate Fund was created. The purpose of this fund is to support developing countries in reducing their emissions and adapting to a warmer world climate. In addition, the Cancun Agreements set the goal of limiting global warming to a maximum of 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
COP 17, Durban (2011): talks fail when China, the United States and India refuse to make mandatory emission reductions by 2015. Instead, delegates decide to extend the Kyoto Protocol until 2017.
COP 18, Doha (2012) - Russia, Japan and New Zealand oppose setting new emissions targets that include developing nations and the assembled countries decide to extend the Kyoto Protocol until 2020.
COP 19, Warsaw (2013): delegates from the poorest countries leave the negotiations due to lack of agreement on climate-related damages.
COP 21, Paris (2015): a historic milestone is reached (Paris Agreement) with the signing of a global agreement requiring increasingly ambitious emission reduction commitments, known as "Nationally Determined Contributions" or NDCs, for both developed and developing countries. In addition, delegates commit to limiting the increase in global average temperature to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius. In 2020, the United States withdraws from the Paris Agreement.
COP 25, Madrid (2019): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticizes the lack of commitment of the parties.
COP 26, Glasgow (2021): The United States rejoins the Paris Agreement. The Glasgow Pact sets targets for reducing carbon use and regulations for trading carbon credits to offset emissions.
COP 27, Sharm el-Sheikh (2022): resulted in an agreement to create a Loss and Damage Fund to cover the costs of climate catastrophes. However, little progress was made in addressing the emissions that contribute to such catastrophes.
COP 28 will take place from November 30 to December 12, 2023, with pre-meetings scheduled from November 24 to 29.
This year's UN climate change conference presents a crucial opportunity to take urgent action and accelerate action on the climate crisis. This is especially important given the record global temperatures and extreme weather events affecting the world's population. During this event, the progress made so far on the Paris Agreement, a landmark climate treaty signed in 2015, will be assessed and an action plan will be set out to drastically reduce emissions and protect lives and livelihoods.
As we enter this new phase of climate negotiations, it is critical that all parties involved demonstrate strong commitment and take concrete action to address emissions and protect our planet.
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