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World Leaders Convene in Dubai as COP28 Kicks Off
The United Nations Climate Conference, COP28, kicks off in Dubai today, with a pressing call for nations to accelerate efforts against global warming and transition away from fossil fuels.
The oil-rich hosts, the United Arab Emirates, are under intense scrutiny as more than 97,000 attendees, including Britain’s King Charles III, world leaders, activists, and lobbyists, gather for what is touted as the largest climate gathering to date.
This two-week-long summit comes at a crucial juncture, with emissions on the rise and this year poised to be the hottest in recorded human history. The urgency to address climate change is underscored by the fact that COP28 is deemed the most significant since the historic Paris Agreement in 2015. During that summit, nations committed to limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius since the preindustrial era, preferably aiming for a safer limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Despite these commitments, scientists warn that the world is falling short of achieving these targets. They emphasize the need for nations to implement faster and deeper cuts in emissions to avoid the potentially catastrophic impacts of climate change.
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on the eve of the summit, advocated for a complete “phaseout” of fossil fuels, a proposal supported by numerous nations and scientists, despite past negotiations being marked by contention on this issue.
“Obviously, I am strongly in favour of language that includes a phaseout, even with a reasonable time framework,” Guterres affirmed to AFP before departing for Dubai.
A focal point of COP28 will be a comprehensive assessment of the limited progress made globally in curbing global warming. The conference will necessitate an official response to address the world’s current status in climate action.
UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell highlighted the need for more substantial efforts, stating, “Right now, we’re taking baby steps where we should be taking great leaps and great strides to get us to where we need to be.”
As the international community gathers in Dubai, the world watches with anticipation, hoping that this summit will mark a turning point in the global fight against climate change.
