Dossier

COP28

Climate Conference in Dubai

COP28 takes place in Dubai from November 30 until December 12. We have collected our studies, analyses, and commentary on the important points up for debate here.

COP28 is happening at the end of 2023, which will be the hottest year on record. Study after study has highlighted that we cannot afford to further delay the extremely important global energy transformation. More and more countries and international civil society are pushing for a global agreement to a fast, full, and fair - i.e., comprehensive and socially just - end to all fossil fuels - coal, oil, and gas.

But at the same time, there is a big risk at COP28: Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and other risky technologies are being pushed to keep fossil fuels in the energy mix by a fossil fuel lobby showing up in larger numbers than ever.

After a breakthrough at COP27 in the push for a Loss & Damage Fund - which should fund responses to the already happening catastrophic losses and damages from the climate crisis affecting the poorest countries and people the worst - COP28 will feature more debate about its structure and capitalization. As usual, climate finance will be a crucial part of what builds or breaks the trust needed for global collective ambitious efforts. Current efforts to fund climate actions are lacking, including to replenish existing funds such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF). And at the same time, the first Global Stocktake (GST) will report on how dramatically far we are from keeping the global temperature rise at 1.5 degrees Celcius.

Already at COP27 in Egypt, civil society was in a highly restrictive context, facing strong repression locally. In the United Arab Emirates, the situation is even more precarious: there is no active local civil society because of brutral supression. As civil society from around the world gathers in Dubai, this makes it harder to negotiate in the participatory and inclusive manner needed for legitimate outcomes.

For COP28, we have gathered our work on the topics that will be at the top of the agenda. Read what's below to be prepared to follow along.

The Future of Climate Finance Provision is at the Center of COP28 Negotiations

Analysis

When COP28 starts on November 30 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, no less than the future of climate finance provision will be front and center throughout negotiations.

By Liane Schalatek

Loss & Damage

After the unplanned fifth transitional committee meeting, many questions are still open about the Loss & Damage Fund that must be answered at COP28

attendees huddle at the fifth, impromptu meeting of the Transitional Committee

Compromise Transitional Committee Outcome Falls Short of Expectations and Climate Justice

Analysis

With the specter of failure looming, the Transitional Committee adopted a last minute, hard-fought package of ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ recommendations for the new Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) and its funding, which need to be approved at COP28. Why is no one happy with it?

By Liane Schalatek

TC Co-Chairs Outi Honkatukia (Finland) and Richard Sherman (South Africa) discussing a ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ outcome text package with recommendations for COP28.

What to Know about the Transitional Committee's Final Meeting

Summary

This summary provides the basic details of the Transitional Committee's final meeting and what the decisions made there mean for COP28.

By Liane Schalatek

Transitional committee flyer next to a photo of balloons flying

“The TC Needs a Bit of Luck and a Lot of Political Will to Deliver a Loss and Damage Fund That Can Soar”

Interview

Associate Director Liane Schalatek answers some questions about the first Transitional Committee meeting in Luxor, Egypt.

By Liane Schalatek and Carl Roberts

protestors hold up signs at TC meeting in Bonn

Transitional Committee moves from broad strokes to a more detailed drawing

Analysis

At their second meeting, members sketched out competing proposals for designing a new Loss and Damage Fund and broader funding arrangements

By Liane Schalatek

man speaking on screen at third transitional committee meeting

Moving from the Technical to the Political, the Transitional Committee Struggles to Bridge Fundamental Differences

Analysis

With time running out, the opposing visions of developed and developing countries for a new Loss and Damage Fund persisted, with no compromise in sight during high level events at the climate week in New York.

By Liane Schalatek

protest sign that says "climate justice now"

New Loss and Damage Fund Must Deliver Climate Justice

Commentary

As the Transitional Committee wrestles with the new fund's scope, scale, and modalities, the focus must remain on affected communities and people

By Harjeet Singh and Liane Schalatek

The shallow, clear blue waters off the coast of the Bahamas are pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 260 miles above of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Loss and Damage Finance Landscape

Discussion Paper

A Loss and Damage Fund should become the central player in an emerging landscape of arrangements to help developing countries suffering from catastrophic climate change impacts. How can it best fulfill this role?

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first page of a letter with heading and text

Meaningful Public Participation in the 3rd Meeting of the Transitional Committee

Open Letter

Restrictions announced very soon before the next Transitional Committee meeting will negatively impact civil society participation.

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The Green Climate Fund

The first Global Stocktake is happening now, letting Parties at COP know where efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions stand

photo of small buildings on an ocean coast

GCF Replenishment Sends Some Signals – Just Not the Right Ones

Analysis

Weeks ahead of COP28, the pledging conference in Bonn for the replenishment of the Green Climate Fund sends some important signals - the wrong ones

By Liane Schalatek

cover of 10 things to know about climate finance: 2022 global stocktake edition

10 Things to Know About Climate Finance: 2023 Global Stocktake Edition

These infographics break down the 10 things you need to know about climate finance in 2023, from approved amounts to where the gaps are and what has been done.

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