UN view on progress and prospects for COP28
7/12/2023: COP28 is expected to close on 12 December. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happened so far and what’s ahead. Negotiators must focus on how to bolster emissions-cutting targets set by the Paris Agreement and what to do about the future of fossil fuels.
Source: UN News
US tests Congress with $3bn Green Climate Fund pledge
2/12/2023: In a bid to overcome its record of under-delivery that angers developing countries, the US has promised $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund. However, President Biden will have to persuade Republicans in Congress to approve the money, unless he takes control of Congress himself through elections in 2024.
Source: Climate Home News
Countries pledge $400m to set up loss and damage fund
30/11/2023: A new loss and damage fund for the victims of climate disaster has been approved by negotiators on the first day of COP28 in Dubai. Germany and COP28 hosts United Arab Emirates have committed $100 million each to the start-up phase of the fund.
Source: Climate Home News
Campaigners warn of $343 billion climate finance ‘black hole’
30/11/2023: Donor countries are expected to announce at COP28 that they have hit a target to deliver $100 billion of annual climate finance. New analysis of data reported to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development casts doubts on whether the figures really stand up.
Source: Devex
Richest 1% emit as much as two-thirds of humanity
20/11/2023: A new Oxfam report, drawing on research by the Stockholm Environment Institute, exposes the stark gap between the carbon footprints of the super-rich and the bulk of people across the world. Oxfam calls on governments to dramatically reduce inequality.
Source: Oxfam International
Australia’s offer of climate migration to Tuvalu is groundbreaking
11/11/2023: ~The Australia–Tuvalu Falepili Union Treaty will provide migration pathways for people from Tuvalu facing the existential threat of climate change. It will allow up to 280 Tuvaluans to migrate to Australia each year and is the world’s first bilateral agreement on climate mobility.
Source: The Conversation
Countries clinch loss and damage fund agreement
6/11/2023: Recommendations on how to operate a new fund to help vulnerable nations recover from climate disasters are now ready for approval at COP 28 next month, despite US opposition. The committee has recommended that the fund be hosted by the World Bank — a previous red line for developing countries.
Source: Devex
Wars are closing down the window for climate action
1/11/2023: There are increasingly explicit examples of how military aid to Ukraine and Israel is sourced from funds earmarked for climate finance to low income countries. Research suggests that NATO commitments to military spending are enough to pay for the rich world’s promised $100 billion a year of climate finance several times over.
Source: Climate Home News
Saleemul Huq: ensuring climate-vulnerable nations are heard
2/11/2023: There has been a flood of tributes celebrating the life’s work of climate scientist Saleemul Huq who has died. The Bangladeshi-British scientist attended every one of the 27 annual UN COP climate summits, establishing his role as a leading advocate for the rights of climate-vulnerable countries.
Source: Devex
Loss and Damage Committee fails to reach consensus
20/10/2023: Negotiators preparing for COP28 in December have failed to reach consensus on recommendations for addressing loss and damage from climate impacts. The Committee will reassemble for an extra-ordinary session in early November to try to reach agreement prior to the COP28 summit.
Source: World Resources Institute