Good COP, bad COP or a fair COP? Reflections on COP28

Was COP28 worth all the emissions produced in bringing the delegates together in Dubai?

COP is the world’s only multilateral decision-making forum on climate change with almost complete membership of every country in the world. The basis of COP is that all participating nations must agree the wording to the declaration at the end of the event. A difficult task, and one that makes bold declarations and acting at scale and pace very difficult – but what is the alternative to consensus? In this instance there is no higher authority.

Holding a COP in one of the major oil-producing nations is a challenge, but equally we cannot shy away from the fact that these powerful nations stand to be some of the biggest losers from emissions reduction, and Saudi Arabia has been blocking any agreement on fossil fuel phaseout for 30 years.

Pre-event lobbying and negotiations around fossil fuel deals and the number of delegates from lobbying interests, ranging from fossil fuels to food, did not provide the most encouraging backdrop.

Progress made – COP28

However, this COP28 has been the first to agree wording in the main agreement on the need to transition away from fossil fuels. In addition, there was movement to include food systems (which produce around a third of global emissions) in the text and an agreement on loss and damage.

It may be that economics alongside common sense will eventually play their part

While none of these are as far or as fast as we need to go, they do all represent progress. But emissions are at an all-time high, and still rising.

The bigger question is not whether this COP made progress, but whether this process can deliver at the necessary scale and pace – or is it all just blah blah blah?

For local government, reducing emissions can have significant cost savings and protects organisations and communities from global fossil fuel price fluctuations. It may be that economics alongside common sense will eventually play their part.

Local Partnerships supports local authorities in identifying emissions reductions, producing pathways and carbon budgets, project delivery and public engagement.

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