"What Is COP28? And Other Questions About the Big U.N. Climate Summit"

"Diplomats and leaders will gather in Dubai for United Nations climate talks. Here are some key facts."

"Two facts loom over United Nations climate talks that begin Nov. 30 in Dubai: the planet is careening toward climate disaster, and governments are acting too slowly to avert the crisis.

Diplomats from nearly 200 countries, and many heads of state and government, will gather to try to draft a plan to accelerate the global transition away from fossil fuels because burning them is dangerously heating Earth.

The two-week conference is convened annually by the United Nations.

At last year’s summit in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, nations agreed to establish a fund to help poor, vulnerable countries cope with climate disasters made worse by the greenhouse gases pumped into the atmosphere by industrialized nations. But they made little progress in terms of cutting those emissions. A proposal to phase out fossil fuels was stymied by countries that produce and use gas, oil and coal. And Egypt, the host country, made deals on the sidelines of the summit to sell natural gas to Europe.

This year the United Arab Emirates, the world’s fifth-largest oil producer, is hosting the climate talks. That has drawn the anger of many activists, complicating the negotiations. The conference also is happening against a backdrop of geopolitical turmoil including wars the Middle East and Ukraine, making cooperation between nations even more difficult."

Lisa Friedman reports for the New York Times November 20, 2023.

SEE ALSO:

"Here’s How Many Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Have Attended U.N. Climate Talks" (Washington Post)

"Four Issues to Watch at the Upcoming UN Climate Talks" (Sierra)

"COP28 Turns Attention To Potent Methane Emissions" (AFP)

"EU Lawmakers Urge COP28 Climate Summit To Take Aim At Fossil Fuels" (Reuters)

"Exclusive: France, US To Propose Ban On Private Finance To Coal-Fired Plants at COP28" (Reuters)

"Fund To Compensate Developing Nations For Climate Change Is Unfinished Business At COP28" (AP)

"The Many Contrasts Of Oil-Rich UAE, Host Of The Global Climate Talks" (Washington Post)

 

Source: NYTimes, 11/22/2023