GHD’s guide to the United Nations climate change conference, COP28
At a glance
GHD will be returning to COP28 this year with a strong on-the-ground presence and program of activity. The GHD delegation will bring deep experience and technical expertise in the areas of sustainability, resilience and ESG to the COP28 discussion, with a particular focus on sharing constructive perspectives on the opportunities that lie at the intersection of complex energy, water and community challenges. Our delegation will contribute to events both in the Blue and Green Zones as well as Climate Action’s Sustainable Innovation Forum.
What is COP?
The UN Conference of the Parties (COP) brings together global leaders, including heads of state, from close to 200 countries to assess progress against climate goals and to commit to further action on climate change.
In addition to facilitating negotiations between countries, the Conference also brings together delegates from across the public, private and NGO sectors to present, collaborate and share ideas on how to address urgent and critical issues affecting the environment, economies and society at large.
Where is COP this year?
Each year, a different country is chosen to host COP. This year, the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28), will be held in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. As the first country in the region to ratify the Paris Agreement, the first to commit to an economy-wide reduction in emissions, and the first to announce a Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, the UAE has signalled its committed to raising ambition in this critical decade for climate action.
More than 80,000 delegates are expected to attend COP28 this year, to participate in events, presentations and workshops.
What is the focus of COP28?
The COP Presidency is led by a President-Designate who shapes the themes of the conference program. This year, the UAE Presidency has identified four areas for action: ‘fast-track energy’, ‘fix climate finance’, ‘focus on nature, people, lives, and livelihoods’, and ‘full inclusivity’.
- Fast track energy: speed up the global transition to cleaner energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Fix climate finance: make funding for climate action projects available to developing countries badly affected by extreme weather-related disasters.
- Focus on nature: take action to protect and restore nature to enhance its role in mitigating and adapting to climate change.
- Full inclusivity: ensure that solutions and discussions reflect the diversity of perspectives coming from youths, Indigenous communities and other groups.
Why is COP28 important?
COP is both symbolically and strategically important; it’s an opportunity to bring governments and stakeholders together to make commitments to advance climate action while signalling to the global community the need for urgent, collaborative and multi-lateral action to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.
COP28 is of particular significance as this year, for the first time, the Global Stocktake will conclude at the Conference. The Global Stocktake exercise is intended to provide a comprehensive assessment as to how countries and stakeholders are collectively making progress towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement – a landmark agreement among all nations to limit global warming to 1.5° C (2.7° F) above pre-industrial levels. It has taken two years to complete this inaugural Global Stocktake, with the exercise to be repeated every five years moving forward.
What is the role of GHD at COP28?
GHD will be returning to COP28 this year with a strong on-the-ground presence and program of activity. The GHD delegation will bring deep experience and technical expertise in the areas of sustainability, resilience and ESG to the COP28 discussion, with a particular focus on sharing constructive perspectives on the opportunities that lie at the intersection of complex energy, water and community challenges. Our delegation will contribute to events both in the Blue and Green Zones as well as Climate Action’s Sustainable Innovation Forum.
In addition, we will host an in-person event on the fringes of the main Conference, to unpack the topic of ‘a just transition’ with industry leaders across multiple sectors. The intent of the event is to explore the delicate balancing act required to align a fair and just transition with sustainable development ambitions – moving beyond a ‘noble ambition’ to focus on the pragmatic, practical steps that can be taken to drive tangible action.