The conference will take place in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. EFE/EPA/NEVILLE HOPWOOD 12/01/2023
The absence of some of the world’s most important leaders at the UN Climate Change Summit (COP28) is likely to limit debate and could hinder the definition of global commitments, experts surveyed by the UN Climate Change Summit (COP28) estimate R7. Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, the presidents of the US and China respectively, will not attend the event. Therefore, the world’s two largest greenhouse gas emitters will not be represented by their heads of state. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva acknowledged that the discussion “may not be decisive” during the conference, which is being held in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
“Nonparticipation [de Biden e Xi Jinping] “When drafting COP28 agreements and policies, it weakens largescale global commitments to the extent that the contribution in terms of environmental impact is distributed among all other countries, since these countries are the biggest polluters,” says the biologist and researcher Frank Alarcón, Doctor of Bioethics at the Fluminense Federal University (UFF).
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Ana Flávia Barros, a professor of international relations at the University of Brasília, agrees that the lack of leaders “destroys any multilateral process.” She states that although China and the US are discussing this issue in parallel, other countries are excluded from the debate and decisionmaking.
“The Chinese produce but do not consume everything, while the Americans have a high standard of consumption. In addition, the two presidents will discuss options for decarbonizing the economy bilaterally on the sidelines of this year’s COP. The positive side is that, given the climate emergency that they have played a major role in exacerbating, we really need to get to work developing solutions in the shortest possible time. The negative side is that we do not know what they agree on and we will not participate in their decisions,” he explains to Ana Flavia.
For Barbara Krysttal, public policy manager, the presence of these leaders would strengthen COP28 and help other nations set new goals and advance cooperation. However, she emphasizes that the scenario could favor Brazilian protagonism. “Brazil has more opportunities and scope to bring relevant issues to the world and act as a protagonist in the face of climate and sustainability challenges.”
Environmental consultant and international governance and land management expert Richard Torsiano explains that China is pushing ahead with a program to build more coalfired power plants and “refuses to commit to a concrete target for reducing fossil fuel use.” He also criticizes the fact that the USA misses Biden. “President Joe Biden’s absence from COP28 casts doubt on the country’s effective commitment to concrete action to reduce global warming. These absences undermine the higherlevel coordination and agreements that depend on the presence of presidents,” he explains.
Lawyer and professor of international law at USP Maristela Basso reminds that the USA and China are represented by the diplomatic corps. “The signing of any agreements or declarations by the President may take place later, with more time and debate,” he added. American Vice President Kamala Harris attends a global climate summit in Dubai.
Lula’s perspectives
Not only did Lula not see a decisive discussion during COP28, but he also said he did not believe in an agreement so that rich countries could actually drive the development of poorer countries. On the eve of the start of the conference, the president spoke negatively about the question of whether agreement could be reached on rich countries’ pledge to provide $100 billion to poorer countries to help them adapt to climate change.
“I do not believe it. I honestly believe that world leaders need to make bolder and faster decisions first. We need global governance to take care of the planet,” he argued.
Lula then criticized the US actions. “To date, the United States has not complied with the Kyoto Protocol. The Paris Agreement was not respected almost everywhere in the world. If democratic governments want to continue to have the trust of the people, we have to start making things happen.” These people think we should do it. That’s no joke.”
Despite this assessment, on day one, COP28 approved a climate fund to finance measures to address loss and damage in vulnerable countries. Around $420 million is available to support countries affected by global warming.