Reflections from COP28 and hope for the future

2023 is set to be the warmest year on record, and climate-related disasters are becoming all too frequent. The 2023 UN Climate Action Summit (COP28) came at a time when the world urgently needed to accelerate action to avert the worst effects of the climate and ecological emergency.  Running from 30th November – 12th December, COP28 took place this year in Dubai and saw global leaders come together to discuss climate action.

Muslim-led charities, like many others, have witnessed the human cost of climate change first-hand on the ground and are committed to supporting communities in their adaptation and resilience efforts, the urgency to act cannot be overstated. COP28 presented an opportunity to set things right and put the world on track towards greater climate action to safeguard both the planet and its inhabitants.

At the core of this year’s negotiations was the conversation on whether to phase out, or just phase down fossil fuels because we know that burning them is a core driver of climate change and injustice, with the world’s most vulnerable people paying the ultimate price.

Entering COP28, the job was clear. Among other priorities, developed nations needed to fulfil long overdue climate finance commitments to the world’s poorest, and all countries needed to secure a breakthrough deal to phase out fossil fuels, aligning with the 2015 Paris Agreement’s goal to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

The beginning of the end of fossil fuels

The final Global Stocktake deal, adopted on Wednesday 13^th December 2023, marked a historic turning point by calling all countries to transition away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner, cheaper energy alternatives. Additionally, the deal acknowledged the failure of wealthier nations to provide enough financial support to developing countries to allow them to adapt to climate change and move away from fossil fuels.

Despite this, the agreement failed to commit to an outright fossil fuel phase-out – a lifeline for many climate-vulnerable nations Further, the COP28 deal lacked crucial details on how exactly developing economies burdened with significant debt would finance a shift from fossil fuels and adapt to climate change.

The urgency of the crisis demands far more decisive action than was taken, including stronger language on phasing out fossil fuels and more finance for developing countries. The fact of the matter is that developing nations do not have the ability, resources or support to effectively manage the effects of climate change. World leaders failed to show greater ambition to support vulnerable communities who have contributed the least to the crisis but are nonetheless bearing the brunt of it.

Hope for the future of climate action 

While this deal may be imperfect, we cannot deny its significance. After three decades, this process has finally faced up to the core driver of the climate crisis – CO2-emitting fossil fuels. We understand how difficult it was for countries with varying interests to reach such an agreement, especially considering the powerful hold and influence of fossil fuel extractors and petrostates.

COP28 gives us many positives to celebrate and embrace, including the power of people, climate activism and campaigning.  Millions of climate activists from all walks of life showcased their passion and helped inspire many nations to stand their ground. This represents the first step to helping to seal the fate of the fossil fuel age, and work towards a brighter future for the most vulnerable

The road to COP29 and the role of charities

At MCF, we welcome the agreement. In particular, we appreciate the money pledged to climate finance so far and the strides made towards transitioning away from fossil fuels.

However, we recognise this is not nearly enough to support at-risk communities in their efforts to adapt to climate change and recover from the irreversible financial and non-financial loss and damages. In fact, the $700m pledged to loss and damage fund at COP28 covered less than the 0.2% of what was needed. The job is far from done and what happens next is what truly matters.

Undoubtedly, climate change affects us all indiscriminately, but its effects are not uniform, with those from disadvantaged countries feeling its effects more harshly. From droughts destroying crops and livelihoods, to floods washing away homes and entire cities going underwater due to rising tides, climate action is a matter of life and death for these communities.

All heads will be turning towards COP29, confirmed in Azerbaijan. We are eagerly anticipating more ambitious climate financing to facilitate a just and equitable transition for all countries, leaving no one behind.

Until then, charities, especially non-environmental ones, have a unique role to play. The climate crisis directly impacts our work, and we can all be part of the solution. Charities can and should be doing more. This might include embarking on sustainable aid projects, or campaigning for sustainable policies both in the UK and abroad, or simply educating your donor bases on the adverse effects of climate change. Our voices will be crucial in the global fight against climate change, as there is still a long, long way to go.

Read more at: COP28 Agreement Signals “Beginning of the End” of the Fossil Fuel Era | UNFCCC

-Samiira Hasan, Climate Action Lead, Muslim Charities Forum