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The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will take place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12 2023.
The world's largest climate summit brings together delegations from 196 countries, as well as civil society and private sector delegations. This year, more than 70,000 delegates are expected to attend. COP28 will be taking place in the United Arab Emirates where the economy is based on fossil fuels, and against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions. Civil society will be keeping an eye on any attempts at greenwashing and on promoting false solutions, both by Canada and the rest of the world
Several major issues will be negotiated at COP28:
A decision is expected on the first Global Stocktake in order to submit new targets next year for 2035. Countries and stakeholders must acknowledge the gaps that must be closed in order to keep the global average temperature from rising to 1.5°C - the main objective of the Paris Agreement. To remain within this threshold, emissions must be reduced by 43% by 2030. The solutions are well known: it's time to implement them.
The agreement to be negotiated will need to include clear language on the phase-out of fossil fuels and must ensure to block any loopholes. The international community is also expecting an agreement on a renewable energy development target of 1.5 TWh.
Negotiations will be held on the framework for a global adaptation target. Failure of these negotiations would be catastrophic for the most vulnerable countries and communities.
The new Loss and Damage Fund, created at COP27, needs to be made operational as soon as possible. This year, it is vital that decisions be taken regarding how it will work, including how and where funding will be allocated, so as to ensure support for communities that are suffering economic, social and cultural harm as a result of the climate crisis.
This cross-sectional issue, negotiated through different frameworks, is crucial. Existing shortfalls in commitments by developed countries must be filled, and negotiations on new mechanisms and financial flows must move forward in order to galvanize mitigation and adaptation actions, and adequately compensate for loss and damage suffered by the world's most vulnerable communities.
There will be negotiations around the Work Program on Just Transition. It is imperative that Canada be proactive on this issue at COP28 and implement the transition in Canada.
Équiterre’s Climate Policy Analyst, Andréanne Brazeau, and Mobilization Project Manager, Marie-Eve Leclerc, will be on site at COP28.
Équiterre’s delegation will be carrying out a number of activities, including:
This year, Équiterre will be focusing on climate disinformation and polarization. Identified by the IPCC as an obstacle to climate action, especially in North America, this issue has been gaining increased prominence.
Identified by the IPCC as an obstacle to climate action, particularly in North America, climate misinformation and polarization are gaining ground in the public arena.
Équiterre, in partnership with the UNESCO Chair on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Extremism (UNESCO-PREV Chair) will be hosting COP28 panel discussions on December 2 and 5. The panels will address the issues of disinformation and polarization as they relate to the climate crisis and international climate negotiations, and will help to identify solutions to these phenomena in Canada and elsewhere.
Representatives from UNESCO-PREV Chair, the Conscious Advertising Network, Climate Outreach and the Charte pour un journalisme à la hauteur de l'urgence écologique will be participating in these events hosted by Équiterre.
COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, a country whose wealth is derived from the production of oil, is the perfect place to talk about climate disinformation, because it is the major oil companies that are at the core of the problem.
Everything you need to know about climate disinformation
Have a look at our resourceStay up-to-date on the latest developments and our delegation’s insights.
"COP28 must be the COP of truth. We’ll be there with our allies to ensure that discussions focus on real solutions, not false ones. We need to collectively counteract the fossil fuel industry in its efforts to maintain a dangerous status quo."
Selon Horizons de politiques Canada, la désinformation représente la plus grande menace à laquelle le monde fait face, d’ici trois ans, les gens pourraient être incapables de dire ce qui est vrai du faux
The COP is a valuable forum for influencing Canada and other countries, since decisions made there will shape the climate action taken by governments. Ambitious decisions have the potential to raise ambition levels, both nationally and locally.
When the United Arab Emirates was announced as host country for COP28, with Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of the UAE's national oil company, as President, certain civil society organizations decided to boycott. Équiterre decided not to, because if we boycott the COP, we leave more room for the oil lobby and the other major polluters, who have no qualms about participating. Équiterre therefore feels that boycotting is not an option.
Furthermore, having representatives from civil society present is crucial when it comes to influencing international discussions on climate change.
Équiterre is aware of the environmental impact of air travel. Our organization therefore always sends a minimum delegation, in order to limit this impact at the source. We also always offset the GHG emissions associated with this travel, even though this is by no means a panacea.
This type of travel, which is exceptional, is well worth the effort in Équiterre's view, especially given the importance of human relations in advancing the cause and negotiations. It's the excesses, such as the frequent use of private jets or multiple flights for pleasure over short periods of time, that need to be denounced.
Climate disinformation is an issue of growing concern. In addition to impeding actions to combat climate change, misinformation and disinformation polarize the debate and divide societies worldwide. The urgency of the climate crisis requires that we focus on this issue in order to come up with collective solutions.
The climate COPs alone cannot "save the world," but they have nonetheless led to important advances, such as the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund at COP27.
The gains made at COPs are enshrined in international law and are difficult to reverse. Admittedly, this makes for a slow process, but one with a solid foundation and real impact.
Finally, a COP is the only meeting where countries with little influence on the world stage can have a voice that carries as much weight as that of the bigger players. It's a unique opportunity to tell the story of the many challenges faced by the most vulnerable communities, whether it involves funding efforts to reduce GHG emissions, adapting to the various impacts of climate change, or suffering irreversible damage.
Équiterre is using its on-site presence to support these communities, amplify their voices and ensure that countries like Canada contribute their fair share to global climate action.
Mobilisation Manager
meleclerc@equiterre.org
