As we approach the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), there's an air of anticipation mingling with a sense of urgency. The world is watching, waiting to see if this "Inclusive COP" can truly catalyse meaningful change. But what exactly is COP, and why are all eyes on Dubai this year?

Let’s start from the beginning - what is COP?

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the decision-making body for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Since COP1 in Berlin in 1995, these annual meetings have been the epicentre of global negotiations to combat climate change.

Over time COP has evolved from a high-level gathering of UN dignitaries, into an inclusive platform for change. Today, anyone - individuals, businesses, even schools - can attend and advocate for environmental causes. As the urgency of the climate crisis deepens, COP has emerged as a global classroom, educating future generations on the stark realities of climate change, empowering them to mobilise and influence our leaders towards an equitable, habitable, and sustainable future for all.

So what about the elephant in the room?

COP28 is shrouded in controversy. The choice of Dubai as the host city has raised a LOT of eyebrows given the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) heavy reliance on fossil fuels. Critics argue that it's a bewildering backdrop for a conference aimed at systems transformation and reducing global carbon emissions.

Credibility was further questioned after it was discovered that the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the UAE's state-owned oil company, had access to the event's internal communications. Critics and activists alike are calling foul play, questioning the transparency and integrity of the summit. High-profile climate activists, including Greta Thunberg, have voiced concerns that COP28 may be more of a greenwashing spectacle than a platform for meaningful action.

The controversy deepens with the appointment of Dr. Sultan Al-Jaber, who is the CEO of ADNOC, as COP28 President. Critics argue that Al-Jaber's heavy involvement in the fossil fuels industry are incompatible with the goals of a summit dedicated to combating climate change. Additionally, the BBC has recently discovered leaked briefing documents that reveal plans for the UAE to use its role as host of COP28 to discuss fossil fuel deals with 15 nations, further cementing the original fears of a conflict of interest.

As controversy starts to cast a showdow of doubt on the event, it also presents a worrying picture for those hoping for real change to come out of COP28.

Can the UN's controversial strategy drive change?

With its very public role as a host nation looming, the UAE has shown a commitment to change and a willingness to confront its environmental challenges head-on, adopting ambitious goals aimed at shifting away from a carbon-heavy economy. They're talking ‘Net Zero by 2050', Paris Agreement-aligned emission cuts, and have even launched mangrove and seagrass restoration projects aimed at sequestering an estimated 115,000 tonnes of carbon annually.

In the months since his appointment, Al Jaber has also been busy disproving his critics by urging honesty about the world's climate failings and at the Ministerial on Climate Action in Brussels in July, calling for disruption to business as usual and ‘an attack’ on emissions across scopes 1, 2 and 3.

He laid out an ambitious plan for COP28, aimed at keeping 1.5 alive, tripling renewable energy sources, doubling green hydrogen production, and overhauling climate finance. His proposals are so comprehensive that it would take the most passionate activist to challenge them.

The UAE itself has set challenging renewable energy targets, serving as a global example. Perhaps holding COP28 in Dubai might have served the pressure they needed to accelerate change.

In addition to this, it is also hoped that Dubai, with all its glitz and glamour, will become a potential motivator for private-sector climate action. As a global finance and tech hotspot, it's fertile ground for innovative public-private partnerships geared towards climate solutions. UN officials hope COP28 might just be the perfect stage to spark collaboration.

What’s on the agenda?

One of the key issues at COP28 will be the Global Stocktake, a comprehensive review of how well the Paris Agreement is being followed. This includes seeing how close the world is to reaching the agreement's main goal of limiting the global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees celsius and aiming for 1.5 degrees (keeping 1.5 alive). The results of this check will help countries improve their climate action and support, and boost global support for dealing with the impact of climate change.

Historic Loss and Damage will also feature prominently on the agenda at COP28. This refers to the irreversible impacts of climate change, particularly in vulnerable nations like those in the Global South, that have contributed least to the problem but suffer the most from its consequences.

Other topics on the agenda include adapting to climate risks, transforming food systems, ensuring an inclusive transition to net zero and scaling climate solutions.

A call to action

Upholding rights with nature, people, lives, and livelihoods are at the heart of climate action. The impacts of climate change are not just environmental, they're social and economic too - meaning they aren’t just a politician or scientist problem, they’re an everybody problem.

Businesses and individuals must become champions of change. We need a radical transformation of our energy systems, food production and consumption patterns. We need to embrace circular design and put sustainability and purpose at the heart of our businesses.

While the controversy surrounding COP28 cannot be ignored, it's essential to look beyond the hype. The real measure of success will be whether the conference results in concrete actions and commitments that move us closer to a sustainable, resilient future.

We’ll be on the ground at COP28 so stay tuned for information and what happens next.

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