Reflecting on COP28: Insights into global climate diplomacy and conference initiatives
In the heart of the United Arab Emirates, the COP28 outcomes echoed a resounding message of progress and inclusivity in the fight against climate change. COP28 Outcomes Briefing event organized by Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy held in Abu Dhabi on March 6 was a pivotal event as the UAE demonstrated leadership and commitment to the principles of the Paris Agreement.
The event aimed to delve into the historic outcomes of COP28, providing a comprehensive update on global climate diplomacy, along with an exploration of the agreements and initiatives that resulted from the conference.
For the first time in COP history, crucial decisions were made on the inaugural day, underlining the UAE’s proactive approach to addressing the pressing challenges of climate change. Despite initial skepticism about the role of oil-producing nations, the UAE proved that sustainable development can coexist with responsible resource management.
At the core of COP28 was a clear recognition of the outcomes, achieved through inclusivity and dialogue. By ensuring that all voices, especially those of developing nations, were heard, the UAE fostered a sense of collective ownership and accountability.
One of the most significant achievements of COP28 was the launch of the Global Decarburization Accelerator and the Oil and Gas Charter. Leading oil companies such as ADNOC, NOC, and ARAMCO and many pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, signaling a transformative shift towards renewable energy.
Furthermore, COP28 saw unprecedented collaboration with developing countries, as evidenced by the Global Cooling Pledge signed by 69 nations. The UAE’s commitment to financing climate action was underscored by contributions from oil companies, with each pledging $25m, complemented by a $100m commitment from the UAE itself.
Crucially, COP28 emphasized the importance of translating financial promises into tangible action on the ground. Developing countries were urged to grab the opportunities presented by the UAE’s initiatives, including the establishment of a Youth Champion for Climate.
COP28 also reaffirmed the significance of trade and negotiations in shaping global climate policy. Major decisions were mandated during the conference, highlighting the UAE’s pivotal role in driving consensus and collaboration among nations.
COP28 stands as a testament to the UAE’s unwavering dedication to climate action and sustainability. By championing inclusivity, innovation, and responsible resource management, the UAE has set a new standard for global climate leadership. As the world looks towards a more sustainable future, the outcomes of COP28 serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come.
Green dollars, dirty secrets: Exposing private sector investments’ role in climate change
World Social Forum 2024 Kathmandu
The 16th edition of the World Social Forum (WSF), under the theme “Another World is Possible,” concluded in Kathmandu last week. The WSF served as a platform to vocalize opposition and confront the longstanding issues of neoliberalism and hegemonic globalization, which have historically perpetuated poverty, inequality, and injustice. The forum provided a vital space for the exchange of ideas, sharing experiences, and discussing alternative practices that stand in contrast to hegemonic globalization, neoliberal capitalism, corporatization, market fundamentalism, and political authoritarianism.
The event opened with a solidarity march where thousands of people from 98 countries came and joined together, carrying banners and placards with slogans stating to seek justice, peace, equality, and an urge to end any form of discrimination. Throughout the forum, participants engaged in meaningful discourse and collaborative efforts.
Climate crisis is political
Climate change is an urgent global challenge and took center stage at the World Social Forum. Hundreds of movement leaders, civil society organizations, activists, people living in poverty and marginalization across the globe came together to demand climate justice. Climate crisis is political; the greed of being wealthy, particularly by the global north has disproportionately affected the global south in more than one way. Every year climate induced disasters hit the poor, vulnerable, and underprivileged communities. Recently global leaders met at COP28 and agreed on transitioning away from fossil fuels, but there is no fair share of finance. As The ongoing discourse centers on the possibility of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C, Global discourse on ‘Navigating the Path to Climate Justice’ highlighted the major three issues: climate justice, climate finance, and impacts of climate change in mountains and islands. Climate justice cannot be served to the poor, vulnerable, and underprivileged communities, and countries, especially in the global south, until and unless today’s extractive economic model is transformed into a regenerative one. In the WSF, a session shed light on these disparities, where the speakers and participants highlighted the urgent need for concrete climate actions. Countries in the global south cannot bear the disproportionate impacts of climate change while the global north continues to profit.
Global South demanding climate justice
At the WSF, climate activists from different parts of the world such as Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Denmark, Jordan, Kenya, India, Italy, Nepal, Uganda, and Vanuatu came together to deliberate on various climate justice issues. The activists representing diverse movements from island nations to mountain regions, underscored a crucial message: the climate crisis is inherently gender-biased, disproportionately affecting women compared to men. Emphasizing the need for a gender-sensitive approach, they stressed that women bear unique and heightened burdens in the face of climate change. Their united call at the WSF sought to elevate awareness and foster collaborative efforts to address the gender-specific impacts of the climate crisis, promoting a more inclusive and equitable response to global environmental challenges.
The impact of climate change in mountain areas is a sad reality. The hydrological cycle is changing, glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, and extreme events have become more frequent and severe, causing the mountain’s population to shrink. Similarly, mountains that provide freshwater to the land are slowly turning into barren rocks. Those communities in mountain regions face an uncertain future. Climate change affects multiple dimensions of well-being. Temperature rise, sea level rise, shifts in precipitation patterns, ocean acidification, and an increasing number of extreme weather events have an impact on how and where we produce our food. Our food system is broken, and vulnerable people are losing their faith and trust in it. And the discussion highlighted the interconnectedness between mountain regions and islands like Vanuatu. Glacial and snow melting have a linkage with sea level rise. No parts of the world remain untouched by the impacts of climate change, while the impacts and scale may vary. Undoubtedly climate change is the root cause but what’s exacerbating the crisis? It’s ‘flows of finance in the wrong direction’. A solution can indeed be found through the divestment of investment.
Exposing private sector investments’ role in climate change
Fossil fuels and industrial agriculture are the two major sectors contributing to climate change. A recent study report by ActionAid shows that the global private sector, especially banks, is investing in fossil fuels and industrial agriculture which the report claims is flowing in the wrong direction. Banks have provided an annual average of 20 times more financing to fossil fuels and industrial agriculture in the Global South than Global North governments have provided as climate finance to countries on the front lines of the climate crisis. The combined average annual bank financing for fossil fuels and industrial agriculture in the Global South between 2016 and 2022 was $513bn, while only $22.25bn was received as financial support for climate action in the Global South in 2020. Despite banks’ pledges to address climate change, the banks have financed $3.2trn for fossil fuels and $370bn for industrial agriculture in the Global South over the past seven years since the Paris Agreement in 2015.
Global climate financial infrastructure
The global financial infrastructure under UNFCCC, mandates developed countries to provide $100bn of climate finance annually for climate action to developing countries by 2020. However, reaching the pledged amount has proven challenging. During the discussion on climate finance in WSF, the speakers highlighted how the richest five billionaires have doubled their fortune since 2020, after Covid-19, whereas five billion people across the world have been poorer. Climate change escalates the economic gap between these two classes in the community. Countries in the global south are dealing with debt crises and employing widespread austerity measures worsen the challenge of addressing climate change.
Public financing has the potential to significantly contribute to climate change solutions. However, it remains a part of the problem when financial sectors fail to consider climate in their investment decisions. $400m a year, which developed countries should be delivering at times, but $10.5bn is going directly to fossil fuel subsidies. This shows how unjust and hoodwinked the global north has been to the global south. Money is there, but it is flowing in the wrong direction. Banks and private sectors are fueling the climate crisis in the global south, and the funding is directed more towards climate-harming businesses and industries.
Climate finance is channeled from developed to developing countries. But looking at the trend of today’s world’s economy, even the developing countries are economically stable. Maybe it’s time to look deeply into the issue and restructure financial flows not only from developed countries to developing countries but also from developing countries to developing countries. The roles of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, like China and India, need to be recognized. And how they can contribute to the solution depending on their capacity to address the issue. However, it remains crucial to stick with the polluters’ pay principle, looking at their historical responsibility of reparation.
Way forward
Finally, the WSF came up with the statement that to facilitate the process to transform towards the real solutions. Governments, especially from the global north, must effectively regulate the banking and financial sectors, to stop fossil fuels and industrial agriculture expansion. The statement highlighted an urgent need to scale up support and planning for just transitions to real solutions such as renewable energy and agroecology. Furthermore, redirecting harmful fossil fuel and industrial agricultural subsidies and finance is emphasized. There is an urgent need for transitions through scaled up climate finance, tax justice and debt relief. Banks and private sectors need to work to bring emissions down to real zero and must stop financing fossil fuel, deforestation, and other harmful industrial agriculture activities, to protect the rights of communities.
Badal is Livelihood and Natural Resources Specialist and Poudel is Trainee (Climate Justice Campaign) at ActionAid International Nepal
Climate change hits women's health harder, activists want leaders to address it at COP28
Manju Devi suffered in pain for two months last year as she worked on a farm near Delhi, unable to break away from duties that sometimes had her standing for hours in the waist-deep water of a rice paddy, lifting heavy loads in intense heat and spraying pesticides and insecticides. When that pain finally became too much to bear, she was rushed to a hospital.
The doctors’ verdict: Devi had suffered a prolapsed uterus and would need a hysterectomy. She hadn’t said a word to her family about her discomfort because of societal taboo over discussing a “women's illness,” and with two grown children and three grandchildren looking to the 56-year-old widow to help put food on the table, Devi had relied on painkillers to stay in the fields.
“I endured excruciating pain for months, scared to speak about it publicly. It shouldn’t take a surgical procedure to make us realize the cost of increasing heat,” she said, surrounded by women who told of undergoing a similar ordeal.
As the annual U.N.-led climate summit known as COP is set to convene later this month in Dubai, activists are urging policymakers to respond to climate change’s disproportionate impact on women and girls, especially where poverty makes them more vulnerable.
Their recommendations include securing land rights for women, promoting women's cooperatives and encouraging women to lead on developing climate policy. They also suggest that countries — especially developing countries like India — commit more money in their budgets to ensure gender equity in climate policies.
Group of 20 leaders who met in New Delhi in September also recognized the problem, calling for accelerating climate action with gender equality at its core by increasing women’s participation and leadership in mitigation and adaptation.
Devi is a farm worker in Syaraul, a village of about 7,000 a couple of hours southeast of Delhi in Uttar Pradesh, India's biggest and most populous state. Several other middle-aged and older women from the village described similar injuries leading to hysterectomies.
The link between phenomena like uterine prolapse and climate change is indirect but significant, said Seema Bhaskaran, who tracks gender issues for the nonprofit Transform Rural India Foundation.
“Women in rural, climate-affected communities often bear the brunt of physically demanding agricultural work, made more strenuous by climate change-related challenges like erratic weather and increased labor needs," Bhaskaran said. “While climate change doesn’t directly cause uterine prolapse, it magnifies the underlying health challenges and conditions that make women more susceptible to such health issues.”
About 150 kilometers (93 miles) away, in Nanu village, 62-year-old farm worker Savita Singh blames climate change for a chemical infection that cost her a finger in August 2022.
When her husband moved to Delhi to work as a plumber, she was left alone to tend the couple's fields. As rice and wheat yields fell due to shifting climate patterns and a surge in pest attacks, Singh's husband, who retained decision-making power, decided to increase the use of pesticides and insecticides. It was up to Singh, who had opposed the increases, to apply the chemicals.
“With the rise in pest attacks in farms, we have started using more than three times pesticides and fertilizers in our farms and without any safety gears my hand got burned by the chemicals and one of my fingers had to be amputated,” she said.
In Pilakhana, another Uttar Pradesh village, 22-year-old wage laborer Babita Kumari suffered stillbirths in 2021 and this year that she attributes to the heavy lifting she endured daily in working a brick kiln for long hours in intense heat. Climate change at least doubled the chances of the heat wave that hit the state this year, according to an analysis by Climate Central, an independent U.S.-based group of scientists that developed a tool to quantify climate change's contribution to changing daily temperatures.
“My mother and her mother all have worked in brick kilns all their lives but the heat was not this bad even though they worked for more than eight hours like me. But for the past six-seven years the situation has worsened and heat has become unbearable to withstand but what option do we have than to endure it,” said Kumari, who lives in a makeshift camp with her husband.
Bhaskaran noted that women in India often assume primary roles in agriculture while men migrate to urban areas, which makes the women especially vulnerable to the direct effects of climate change. A government labor force survey for 2021-22 found that 75% of the people working in agriculture are women. But only about 14% of agricultural land is owned by women, according to a government agriculture census.
For Bhaskaran, it adds up to a picture of women sacrificing their health by working long hours in intense heat, exposed to insecticides and pesticides, and with uncertain access to clean water. On top of that, many are undernourished because they "often eat last and least within patriarchal structures,” she said.
Poonam Muttreja is a women's rights activist who also directs the Population Foundation of India, a non-governmental organization that focuses on issues of population, family planning, reproductive health, and gender equality. She said it's essential that COP28, the meeting in Dubai, take concrete action to help women.
She said COP28 should go beyond providing financial aid, and actively promote and facilitate the inclusion of gender considerations within all climate-related policies, initiatives, and actions.
“It must prioritize awareness programs that emphasize the specific health challenges women face in the wake of climate change as a critical step towards increasing public knowledge. These efforts will also serve as a call to action for governments, institutions, and communities to prioritize women’s health and well-being as a central component of their climate initiatives,” she added.
Anjal Prakash, a professor and the research director at the Bharat Institute of Public Policy at the Indian School of Business, coordinated a working group that examined gender for a recent assessment by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He said it will take international pressure to overcome some countries that may quietly oppose gender-sensitive climate policies due to conservative ideologies and political barriers.
Finding money will also be a formidable challenge, he said.
Shweta Narayan, a researcher and environmental justice activist at Health Care Without Harm, said women, children and the elderly are among the most vulnerable to extreme climate events. She saw reason for optimism at COP28 because of a dedicated Health Day at the conference.
“Definitely there is a very clear recognition that climate has a health impact and health needs to be considered more seriously,” she said. AP
Empowering youth: Taking a stand against climate change
Climate change, an existential threat to humanity, demands immediate action from all segments of society. With each passing day, the impact of global warming becomes more evident, leaving future generations vulnerable to its devastating consequences. In this critical juncture, today’s youth play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future. By actively engaging in climate activism and getting involved in politics, young people can spearhead positive changes for society and the environment.
The urgency of the climate crisis requires a united effort from all generations, but the youth holds a unique position in driving a transformative change. As the inheritors of the planet, they possess a vested interest in safeguarding its future. Harnessing youthful energy, passion, and determination can ignite a wave of action against climate change.
The power of youth lies in their potential to mobilize and amplify their voices, both locally and globally. Through grassroots movements and digital platforms, they can raise awareness, disseminate information, and influence public opinion on climate issues. By leveraging social media, they can reach a wide audience, sparking conversations that inspire collective action.
Young climate activists have already demonstrated their efficacy in raising awareness about climate change’s urgency. Initiatives like the Global Climate Strikes, led by youth activists like Greta Thunberg, have drawn global attention to the climate crisis and compelled leaders to address climate issues in policy-making.
While youth-led activism is vital, it must be complemented by active participation in politics. Engaging with the political system allows young people to have a direct impact on climate policies and decisions. By running for political office or actively supporting candidates with strong climate agendas, they can shape the direction of climate policy at local, national, and international levels.
Political involvement empowers young people to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to climate-related challenges. It ensures that climate change remains a top priority in legislative agendas, fostering the implementation of sustainable practices and green initiatives. Young politicians can be catalysts for progressive climate policies, advocating for renewable energy, conservation measures, and carbon reduction strategies.
Furthermore, youth representation in politics is crucial for fostering intergenerational dialogue. It bridges the gap between decision-makers and future generations. Such a dialogue is essential for crafting inclusive and long-term policies that protect the environment, promoting a harmonious coexistence between nature and society.
Inclusion of youth voices in political decision-making processes is also a fundamental aspect of democratic governance. It strengthens democracy by promoting diversity of thought and ensuring that the concerns of all citizens, especially those inheriting the planet, are heard and addressed.
To encourage more youth involvement in politics, educational institutions and community organizations must prioritize civic education and engagement. Equipping young individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills for active citizenship will empower them to advocate for change effectively. Furthermore, mentorship programs and internships can offer firsthand experiences in the political arena, nurturing a generation of informed and inspired leaders.
Young people need to seize every opportunity to influence policy-making, from participating in local town hall meetings to joining youth councils and community boards. By making their voices heard in decision-making processes, they can push for policies that prioritize sustainability and climate action.
Climate change presents a formidable challenge that demands a collective response from all of society. Today’s youth are the torchbearers of this response, armed with the passion and determination to create positive changes for society. By actively engaging in climate activism and politics, young people can effectively take a stand against climate change and drive transformative action for a sustainable future. Their involvement is essential to ensure that climate concerns remain at the forefront of policy agendas, fostering a harmonious relationship between society and the environment for generations to come.
Narrating climate issues through Bengali folktales
Fiction centered on climate change is an emerging genre in the literary world. Arguably, there are only a handful of novelists who have incorporated climate change issues as a major theme in their works. After discovering Amitav Ghosh’s 'The Hungry Tide', I became acquainted with his work 'Gun Island'. Gun Island is also the first English book to receive the prestigious Jnanpith Award. I was mesmerized by the way Ghosh blends folklore with serious issues of climate change and a hotter planet. His writing style made me realize that climate change, often considered a research-based, scientific, and rational subject, can also be interpreted and narrated through ancient myths and fables.
We are accustomed to hearing and reading catastrophic news caused by climate change, ranging from floods to landslides, tsunamis to hurricanes, sandy storms, and more. These events have become so common in our daily dose of social media and news browsing that we are hardly moved by the significant loss of lives, habitats, and property. We have taken them for granted. But, Ghosh’s storytelling is unique. He draws on the Bengali fable of ‘Banduki Sadagar’, or the gun merchant, and transports us to the Sundarbans, the mangrove region of Bangladesh, where he intertwines the folklore of Manasa Devi, the goddess of snakes.
Deen, the narrator and protagonist of the novel, accompanies marine biologist Piya in her research work. Deen, a rare books dealer, is captivated by Bengali legends of the gun merchant and befriends Piya, who is studying the rare Irrawaddy dolphins. They travel to distant and remote places where human settlements are sparse, such as the Sundarbans, where they find villages that have disappeared in recent years. They are startled by the rising sea levels and the villagers' struggles due to lack of fresh water. The salt levels have increased to the extent that aquatic animals exhibited abnormalities.
Through the journeys of Piya, Deen, and Tipu, Ghosh reminds us of the threats posed by climate change. Deen and Piya discuss oceanic dead zones - the vast stretches of water with very low oxygen content, too low for fish to survive. These dead zones are rapidly expanding due to the runoff from chemical fertilizers. This runoff triggers a chain reaction that depletes most of the oxygen in the water. The phenomenon of oceanic dead zones is vividly illustrated in the novel, enabling general readers to comprehend the harsh realities of the climate crisis resulting from human actions.
The novel also discusses environmental degradation caused by refineries. During a conversation with Deen, Piya discusses refineries, which may be responsible for creating 'dead zones'. She reveals that she has been fighting against refineries through an alliance of environmental groups, but she exposes the dark truth that these refineries are run by giant conglomerates that line the pockets of greedy politicians. In Nepal as well, the exploitation of the Chure region has been a topic of discussion for various reasons, but it has been forgotten as the exploiters enjoy the support of politicians.
The novel delves into serious issues of dolphin beaching. The underlying cause of beaching is explored, where man-made sounds from submarines, sonar equipment, and similar sources can be potential triggers. Piya explains that marine mammals use echolocation to navigate, and disruptions to this navigation can cause them to become disoriented and stranded. It seems that the character of Piya, portrayed as a marine biologist, is intentionally crafted as an expert who discusses and shares the crises and scenarios caused by climate change. Deen appears as a curious learner, while Piya stands out as a profound expert.
In addition to portraying geographies and habitats devastated by climate change, the novel also shares instances of migration and the pivotal role climate change plays in the migration of humans and other animals. Characters like Tipu risk their lives crossing seas and islands to reach Italy. They face obstacles from state authorities, the seas, and foreign individuals who are involved in human trafficking. The stories in 'Gun Island' exhibit elements of magical realism, presenting folklores in a way that mirrors the real world, including chance encounters.
The novel also presents irony about the indifference towards climate change in a satirical manner. An international conference is hosted by a museum to celebrate their acquisition of a special edition of a popular Shakespearean book. However, the city where the conference takes place is engulfed in a wildfire for several days. Airlines, local transportation services, and conference organizers display indifference towards the wildfire, treating it as a natural occurrence. Eventually, due to the relentless wildfire, the organizers are forced to relocate the conference venue at the last minute to the place where the narrator is staying.
The increasing number of bark beetles is also discussed in the novel. Findings suggest that these beetles are expanding their range as the mountains warm up. They invade forests by tunneling inside tree bark. The novel draws connections between bark beetles, forests, and wildfires. The stories of the suffering of Bangladeshi people due to climate crises, such as cyclones and floods, are also presented. Strong winds capable of tearing roofs off houses and rising water levels are evident in various parts of Bangladesh. These personal stories of suffering resonate with the natural calamities faced in our own world.
The novel consistently carries the theme of the climate crisis from beginning to end. Through Bengali folktales and fables, it warns us about the potential apocalyptic world. The novel is, in fact, an alarm, reminding us of our role in exploiting and devastating the planet for short-term gains and vested interests. Rather than being prescriptive about our actions, it vividly portrays and envisions the consequences of the climate crisis escalating at an unstoppable pace.
