World leaders and experts are gathering in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), for the annual United Nations climate change conference, where they will discuss the increasing greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the climate.
The main topics on the agenda at the summit, officially known as the UN Conference of the Parties (COP28), include finding ways to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and establishing an international fund to support climate adaptation.
COP28 will require participating countries to adjust their climate plans based on periodic reviews of their progress towards the goals set by the Paris Agreement in 2015. The agreement aims to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius (34.7 degrees Fahrenheit) compared to pre-industrial levels by 2030.
However, the summit has faced controversy due to accusations of “greenwashing” by the UAE, although the Gulf Emirates has denied these allegations. Greenwashing refers to the promotion of misleading or false information about the environmental benefits of certain practices.
Environmentalists and experts have raised concerns about holding the world’s largest climate summit in a country heavily reliant on oil and gas production for its economy. Critics have also expressed dissatisfaction with the UAE government’s decision to appoint Sultan al-Jaber, CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co, as a key figure in the summit.
The current summit takes place amidst broken promises and stalled efforts to address the climate emergency, highlighting divisions among nations. Developing countries have been urging industrialized nations to take greater responsibility in the fight against climate change.
Article from www.aljazeera.com