The annual UN Climate Change Conference, now in its 28th year, begins in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The 195 participating countries will be asked to report what progress they have made compared to the goals set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. A balance (global stocktake) that, according to the scientific studies published so far, is likely to be negative.
The world is actually behind on commitments to reduce fossil fuels, increase renewable sources and increase energy efficiency to keep global temperatures from rising to 1.5 degrees by the end of the century compared to the pre-industrial period (1750-1850 ) to limit. The call to do much more, to double if not triple our efforts, came loud and clear not only from science, but also from numerous committees and institutions. A few days ago, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said ahead of the COP that “heads of state and government must break the deadly cycle of global warming” because “without changing course, We are heading for a catastrophic temperature rise of three degrees Celsius by the end of the century.” This means a series of catastrophic consequences for the planet, with extreme weather events. As is already happening in many parts of the world.
However, the special climate envoys of the USA, John Kerry, and China, Xie Zhenhua, could represent a turning point for the success of the COP28, planned until December 12th with 70,000 participants. While the respective presidents Biden and Xi are absent, they are the protagonists. Also because China and the USA together are the largest greenhouse gas producers (together they account for 40%). Without the intervention of the two superpowers, “this battle will not be won,” Kerry said, assuring that he, together with his Chinese counterpart, had decided to “work for the success” of the COP.
Among those absent is the Pope, who had to resign for health reasons and is represented by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. whose speech will be delivered to the Holy See on December 2 on mitigation (that is, mitigating the effects of climate change by preventing or reducing greenhouse gas emissions).
Other key topics at the COP will also be the “Loss & Damage” fund to compensate for losses and climate damage in poor countries and the 100 billion per year fund by 2025 to support developing countries.
On Thursday, the conference on organizational and procedural aspects will be opened by the President, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE industry minister and special envoy on climate change, has been at the center of some controversy, both because he was CEO of the state oil company Adnoc and because of alleged agreements with government delegations of foreign countries on the issue of hydrocarbons, which he stopped. Al Jaber also heads Masdar, an Emirati renewable energy company. There is also controversy over the host country producing oil.
150 people (never before so many) are expected at the “high-level” opening on December 1st and 2nd with speeches by the heads of state and government (each three minutes).
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (in the delegation, among others, the Special Envoy for Climate, Francesco Corvaro and the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto, and among those present at the opening also the CEO of Eni Claudio Descalzi) will speak on December 1st – Day in the Sign of adaptation (measures to avoid or minimize damage), an issue considered very important and close to the hearts of developing countries and Africa and to which Italy is committed with the Mattei Plan and a large part of the Italian 4.2 billion Euro commits climate funds.
On Friday evening the Prime Minister will attend the concert at the Teatro alla Scala, Above all, Italian broadcasts: an event “wanted by Meloni and Bin Zayed” (the President of the United Arab Emirates), according to Italian sources, and carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Foreign Affairs and with the support of Plenitude was organized (Eni).
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