World leaders gathered for the first day of the World Climate Action Summit at the UN climate conference today.
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Welcome to our coverage of COP28. Following along with out live blog to stay up to date with the latest climate news from Dubai.
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World Climate Action Summit day 1 draws to a close
That’s a wrap on day one of the World Climate Action Summit, which saw more than 150 world leaders descend on the Dubai conference.
A few used their speeches to announce contributions to the newly-agreed loss and damage fund, including Italian PM Meloni. She pledged €100 million from Italy.
A less straightforward pledge came from the French president, who promised “up to” €100 million during a leaders’ event on climate finance.
Macron also announced an initiative to target higher interest rates for coal projects - a rare example among the speeches of a new effort to cut emissions.
Another funding announcement came from the UAE. The COP28 hosts have created a new private investment fund geared towards climate solutions, starting the ball rolling with a generous $30 billion (€27.6 bn).
It’s had a wary reaction from some quarters, however. "In the pursuit of a greener tomorrow, we must scrutinise the COP28 fund's bold claims,” says Andreas Sieber, Associate Director of Policy and Campaigns at 350.org.
"While in principle a step in the right direction, we would need to check that the claims by the presidency are not overblown. It seems that safeguards against dangerous distractions and projects that harm communities are missing.”
Thanks for following our COP28 coverage today. Join us tomorrow for what is sure to be an action-packed second day of the World Climate Action Summit at COP28.
And if you need a refresher on all things COP, we’ve got you covered in our explainer here: What is COP28? Everything you need to know before the UN climate summit begins in Dubai this week
UAE among petrostates that risk losing half their income as fossil fuel demand drops
It’s no secret that the energy transition represents a massive challenge to petrostates like the UAE. But analysts at the Carbon Tracker think tank have just put some striking figures on the issue.
28 oil and gas dependent countries risk losing more than 50 per cent of their expected income from fossil fuels, as demand drops in the years to 2040.
It could cause a serious dent in government finances and spiralling social unrest in these nations unless managed properly - including through diversification. Carbon Tracker lays out some of the challenges and solutions in its new report.
World leaders’ speeches end for the day
Sunak criticised for ‘reheated' climate finance pledge
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged £1.6 billion (€1.86 billion) in climate finance at the World Climate Action Summit.
He says this finance is being “committed” to international projects that will protect forests, encourage private investment, and back renewables.
But commentators have questioned whether this funding represents a new commitment. Zahra Hdidou, Senior Climate and Resilience Advisor at ActionAid UK says:
Today Rishi Sunak announced a bold new ‘era of action’ on climate as he ushers in billions of pounds of funding that is neither new nor additional, but a reheated pledge from years gone by.
And in setting out an ambition to turbocharge private sector involvement in climate action, the Prime Minister is once again raiding the already depleted ODA [official development assistance] budget to subsidise its ideological objectives.
Sunak also announced an up to £11 billion (€12.8 billion) investment in the UK's Dogger Bank offshore wind farm.
And he took the unusual step of using his world leader’s speech to talk up rollbacks in his government’s net zero policies.
I watched the leader speeches at #cop28 and I believe we are the ONLY country to have a leader which used it as an opportunity to highlight how the country is going more slowly on climate commitments. An international embarrassment.
— Helena Horton (@horton_official) December 1, 2023
Journalists report access issues at the COP28 venue
Journalists being told we can’t access the main press conference room #Cop28 without special tickets. And an escort. Security won’t let us through. This is absurd. Not transparent and very not helpful.
— Fiona Harvey (@fionaharvey) December 1, 2023
I’ve just been kicked out of this ‘private event’ - a lobby conference with @rishisunak about to start. I’ve been reporting on climate for 35 years so it’s possible I know more than most Pollcorrs. That’s why the environment corrs are left outside. @fionaharvey pic.twitter.com/IZ4aNBPBfh
— Roger Harrabin (@RHarrabin) December 1, 2023
UN chief makes his position on a fossil fuels phase out abundantly clear
António Guterres tells it like it is to world leaders as per usual.
The UN Secretary-General was speaking to an audience at #COP28 including King Charles and political leaders. pic.twitter.com/q950FrNNau
— Euronews Green (@euronewsgreen) December 1, 2023
Countries are failing to keep Global Methane Pledge promises
Since the Global Methane Pledge was signed in 2021, there has been no overall reduction in the methane put out by many of the signatories.
Climate tech company Kayrros has found that countries are failing in their bid to cut methane emissions by at least 30 per cent by 2030.
CEO and co-founder of Kayrros, Antoine Rostand, says the new data should serve as a "wake up call" for decision-makers gathered in Dubai for COP28.
“Despite the promise of the Global Methane Pledge, emissions of methane are not coming down. In some places, they are even going up," Rostand says. “We’ve been calling for an outright ban on super-emitters. Rapid cuts in methane emissions from fossil fuels could lead to a reduction of 0.1°C in global temperature rise by mid-century – equivalent to the emissions impact of immediately taking all cars and trucks in the world off the road."
He welcomes the EU's proposed methane emissions limits on gas imports which put pressure on suppliers to cut leaks. Rostad says he hopes it encourages others to consider similar measures.
UAE launches ‘world’s largest’ private investment fund for climate solutions
One significant announcement from the UAE earlier today was the creation of a new private fund, or climate finance accelerator.
“I am happy to announce the creation of a fund with $30 billion (€27.6 bn) dedicated to climate solutions,” declared UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. He added that the objective is to reach $250 billion (around €230 bn) by 2030.
Named Altérra, the new Emirati fund will focus on supporting emerging markets and developing economies, according to a press release. It will be chaired by Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 president and boss of the UAE national oil company ADNOC.
A first project to install solar and wind power plants in India, with a capacity of 6 gigawatts, is mentioned, while two others in Africa and Latin America are still under study, AFP reports.
This initiative is part of the UAE's general strategy for COP28, which aims to further involve the private sector in solutions through voluntary commitments.
Italy and Canada add to loss and damage funding pot
Countries are continuing to announce their contributions to the new loss and damage fund at COP28.
Italy and Canada are two of the latest, with €100 million and around €11 million pledged respectively.
Meloni’s announcement today puts Italy just above Germany, which pledged $100 million (€91.68 million) yesterday.
The "substantial" contribution to the fund promised by the EU amounts to an initial commitment from member states of €225 million, with further announcements from individual countries set to follow.
Future generations will hold us all accountable - Jordan's King Abdullah
Jordan's King Abdullah has told COP28 attendees that conflict ridden communities must not be left alone to face climate change.
"This year's conference of the parties must recognise even more than ever that we cannot talk about climate change in isolation from the humanitarian tragedies unfolding around us," he said.
King Abdullah added that, as the world works to catch up on lost time and progress, it cannot forget the most vulnerable.
"Conflict ridden communities, refugees and developing countries must not be left alone to face a global problem. Nor can we stand by as the massive destruction of a relentless war in Gaza threatens more people and holds back progress towards a better global future."
He said that current and future generations will "hold us all accountable".
Brazil's Lula says lack of action undermines climate commitments
Brazillian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva has said that countries not fulfilling their climate commitments undermine the credibility of the Paris Agreement.
"The non-fulfilment of the commitments that were taken erodes the credibility of the regime. It is necessary to rescue the belief in multilateralism," Lula told attendees at the climate summit.
"It is unexplainable that the UN, although in all its endeavours, shows itself incapable of keeping peace simply because some of its members profit from war."
He also emphasised the "tragic" impact of climate change across his country.
"In the north of Brazil, the Amazon region suffers one of the most tragic droughts in its history," Lula said.
"In the south, we are facing tempests and hurricanes that leaves a lot of destruction and deaths."
Lula added that now was the time to face the debate about the speed of decarbonisation and work towards an economy that will be less reliant on fossil fuel.
India wants to host COP33 in 2028
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed that his country host COP33 in 2028. That’s the next year it is an Asian nation’s turn to hold the summit.
Given the honour of being the first world leader to speak during the opening session, Modi also launched a ‘Green Credits Initiative’. It’s unclear yet what exactly this involves, but he describes it as a “mass campaign that goes beyond the commercial mindset of carbon credits.”
Modi 🇮🇳 announces a "green credits initiative" in his speech at #COP28 - apparently a new voluntary carbon offset programme to encourage tree planting. (Do we need more of them?) pic.twitter.com/rR42USBQ5G
— Josh Gabbatiss (@Josh_Gabbatiss) December 1, 2023
Modi also reiterated India’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2070. Though it was criticised for being too unambitious when first announced at COP26 - and has been called ‘highly insufficient’ by the Climate Action Tracker - he claims that India is one of the only countries on track to actually achieve its goal.
"We must resolve that every country shall fulfil the climate targets it is setting for itself and the commitments it is making," he said.
The biggest COP ever
A provisional list of participants has revealed that COP28 is likely the biggest COP ever organised.
80,000 participants are registered on this list - which also reveals who they work for for the first time ever.
Before now, those taking part weren't obliged to say who they worked for meaning determining the number of lobbyists and figuring out conflicts of interest was hard.
In total, 104,000 people including technical and security staff have access to the COP28 blue zone.
Organisers say that around 400,000 people have registered for a day pass to access the green zone which is open to the public.
'Clear references' to food waste in food and agriculture declaration
More reactions to the food and agriculture declaration are coming in.
"Importantly, the Declaration includes clear references to reducing food loss and waste, which sits at the heart of the food and climate crises," says Lisa Moon, President & CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network.
"One-third of all food that is produced never gets to people’s tables. Further, food loss and waste is responsible for 8 to 10 per cent of global emissions."
"This Declaration is a bold and positive step," Moon adds.
"It must be followed by concrete policies, investments and action that accelerate the food system transition to better nourish people and the planet.”
More than 100 countries sign declaration to transform food and agriculture
134 countries covering 70 per cent of the world's land have signed the Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action. It commits them to integrating food into their climate plans - or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - by 2025.
It was signed by some of the countries with the highest food related greenhouse gas emissions including Brazil, China and the EU.
"There’s perhaps no bigger area where the world’s injustices play out than in our food," says Ani Dasgupta, President & CEO of World Resources Institute.
Food systems cause at least a third of global emissions, driving droughts and extreme weather that destroy farmers crops and continue this "vicious" cycle.
"The launch of this declaration is the moment when food truly comes of age in the climate process, sending a powerful signal to the nations of the world that we can only keep the 1.5 degree goal in sight if we act fast to shift the global food system in the direction of greater sustainability and resilience," Dasgupta added.
15 out of 133 world leaders at COP28 are women
Though women and girls bear the brunt of the climate crisis, says CARE International UK, just 15 of the 133 world leaders attending COP28 are women.
It's an improvement on last year when only seven of 110 were women. Only 37 per cent of national delegates were women in 2022 and that proportion was even lower among more senior negotiators.
But at 11 per cent of world leaders this year, women are still significantly underrepresented.
"Yet again, the red carpet is being rolled out for male leaders at COP and men dominate among the senior negotiators," Helen Pankhurst, Senior Adviser on Gender Equality at CARE International UK.
"How are we going to achieve a fair outcome in climate negotiations with such inequity at the top? Women and girls are the most affected by climate change, yet they are silenced. Invisible. This must change."
It's about time COP put food and agriculture 'on the menu'
The first-ever major statement on food and agriculture is expected to be signed at COP28 today. It is expected to be endorsed by more than 100 heads of state who will commit to transforming their food and agriculture systems.
Mounting evidence shows that agriculture and food are both a cause and casualty of climate change. But they also have the potential to mitigate up to 0.5C of global warming. It's why transforming food systems has been made a top priority at COP28.
"The destruction of nature and climate change threaten food security, rural livelihoods and nutrition, but our food systems also cause a third of global emissions and are a primary driver of wildlife loss," says Hilal Elver, former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food and appointed member of the Steering Committee of the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) on food security and nutrition.
"It's about time the COPs put them on the main menu. Food and agriculture must be at the heart of new climate plans and funding if we are to meet the Paris Agreement and have enough nutritious food for everyone.”
King Charles III praying for a turning point at COP28
In his first climate speech since becoming King, Britain's King Charles III told world leaders at COP28 that the dangers of climate change were no longer a distant risk.
After a year of record temperatures, he said that "we are seeing alarming tipping points being reached" with the world "dreadfully far off track" on addressing climate change. He urged world leaders to take more action.
"I pray with all my heart that COP28 will be another critical turning point towards genuine transformational action."
World leaders arrive at COP28
From oil ads to Russian interference: These are the climate lies to look out for at COP28
If you're following COP28 on social media, experts have warned we're facing "an environmental crisis compounded by an information crisis". Here are the biggest disinformation trends to look out for.What is the global stocktake?
At COP28 countries will assess how far they have come on Paris Agreement targets for the first time. This report card on climate progress aims to pinpoint barriers to action as a kind of 'ratchet mechanism' to ensure pledges become more ambitious over time.
The UN's early stocktake assessment in September showed that countries were far behind in meeting their goals. Current plans put the world on track for at least 2.5 degrees Celsius of warming.
By the end of the conference, the aim is to produce a plan for this increased ambition.
Find out more about the global stocktake process by reading our explainer.
Good morning, the sun is rising here in Dubai as we get ready for the first day of the World Climate Action Summit.
Yesterday was already pretty eventful with world leaders approving the Loss and Damage fun. This fund is intended to help vulnerable nations cope with the impact of climate change.
An agreement opened the door for countries to start pledging contributions too.
The "substantial" contribution to the fund promised by the EU amounts to an initial commitment from member states of $245.39 million (€224.98 million) - including $100 million (€91.68 million) from Germany alone.
Host country the UAE put in another $100 million, the UK at least $51 million and $17.5 million from the US.
COP28 president Sultan Al Jaber called the approval of the Loss and Damage fund a "positive signal of momentum" at the opening ceremony of the conference yesterday.
Now the focus turns to fossil fuels and the crucial debate over a phase out or phase down.
"Record global heating should send shivers down the spines of world leaders," UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said yesterday.
He added that they should commit to "phase out fossil fuels, with a clear time frame aligned to the 1.5-degree limit."
Britain's King Charles III is also due to address the summit today after arriving in Dubai yesterday. It will be the first time he as given a major speech on climate change since becoming King in September 2022.
Follow along on our live blog for the latest updates from the UN climate conference in Dubai.