Landmark COP28 deal ‘only the beginning of the road’

CREDIT: COP28 UAE

The 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) has concluded with an historic agreement – The UAE Consensus – detailing the ‘ambitious actions’ required to keep the global 1.5°C target within realistic reach. 

When the UAE accepted the presidency of COP28, it did so pledging one action: ‘to deliver on old promises and raise new ambitions on adaptation, mitigation and means of implementation’, hoping to ‘ingrain a new sense of optimism and hope’ in the process. 

The controversial country was widely lambasted for hosting the event whilst being home to some of the world’s largest and most lucrative oil reserves; critics were dubious of its ability to take aim at an industry which sent this relatively small country on its journey to riches. 

Yet on 13 December the UAE delivered a deal the watching world had been sceptical of – ‘an ambitious and comprehensive set of negotiated outcomes’ signed by nearly 200 nations, all pledging their commitment to begin ‘transitioning away from’ fossil fuels in energy systems. 

“An agreement is only as good as its implementation. This historic consensus is only the beginning of the road,” commented Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber at the conference, himself a target of criticism due to his dual role as both president of COP28 and CEO of oil giant Adnoc. 

While there has been political praise for the deal – John Kerry, US climate envoy, stated he was ‘in awe of the spirit of cooperation’ – some smaller, low-lying nations on the climate frontline expressed disappointment at being left out of the conversation, due to the speed and finality with which the agreement was passed. 

Tina Stege, climate envoy for the Marshall Islands, told the media of her shock that members of the Alliance of Small Island Nations (AOSIS) ‘weren’t in the room when this decision was gavelled’. In a closing statement Anne Rasmussen, lead negotiator for AOSIS, said the group was ‘a little confused about what just happened’, explaining that their arrival at the plenary room had been delayed because they were ‘working hard to to coordinate the 39 small island developing states that are disproportionately affected by climate change’. 

An AOSIS representative also raised the issue that diluted language ‘potentially takes us backward rather than forward’, with previously strong statements about ‘phasing out fossil fuels’ entirely having morphed into ones focusing on ‘transitioning away from’.

Phil Haughton, founder of Better Food in Bristol, tells Natural Brands that if his home were on fire ‘then pouring even small amounts of fuel on it would seem stupid’. 

“It seems to me that each human that suggests protecting oil interests is worthwhile simply suggests they feel it’s okay to put fuel on the fire rather than water. So my question to them: “Are you happy to put your name out there, stating you chose fire and death over life for humanity?”

CREDIT: YOUNGO

Another landmark move from the COP28 presidency was the decision to make two thirds of the conference’s catering vegan and vegetarian, with additional focus on waste, packaging, carbon budgets and emissions labelling. 

The move to a largely plant-based menu followed months of work by the Youth and Children constituency of the UNFCCC (YOUNGO) whose campaign Food@COP, with support from ProVeg International, pushed for more sustainable meals at the summit. 

Dubbed the ‘1.5°C aligned menu’, it is hoped that the scale at which plant-based food was served up at COP28 will set a precedent for climate-conscious catering at future global events.  

“By committing to plant-rich, affordable catering, the COP28 presidency is showing leadership and acknowledging the impact of diets high in animal-sourced foods. It is really fantastic to see this happening,” comments Lana Weidgenant, ProVeg campaigns and policy officer.

Gloria Agyare, YOUNGO food and agriculture working group member, adds that COP’s plant-based menu is a ‘delicious symbol of our dedication to a climate-friendly tomorrow’. 

“Hearing young voices and seeing their ideas come to life fills me with immense joy. As a young advocate from the Global South, it gives me great hope that youth are playing a vital role in shaping our future.”

By Rosie Greenaway, editor