COP28 begins with concrete decision on climate damage fund
The new fund is intended to provide support to particularly vulnerable countries in the event of climate-related loss and damage. Germany and the host country, the United Arab Emirates, each intend to contribute 100 million US dollars (around 91 million euros), as announced by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, while the United Kingdom has also announced a contribution.
"I congratulate the parties involved on this historic decision," said al-Jaber. This sends a "positive signal to the world and for our work" at the climate conference. "The World Climate Conference in Dubai begins with a success and an important milestone," said German Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD).
Schulze emphasized that, for the first time, not only the "traditional donor countries" but also other countries are taking part. "Many countries that were still developing countries 30 years ago can now afford to bear their share of the responsibility for global climate damage," emphasized the Minister. A committee made up of industrialized and developing countries is to decide on the use of the funds as jointly as possible; neither side can be outvoted.
The start of the climate conference was otherwise characterized by calls for more ambition in climate protection and, in particular, a move away from coal, oil and gas. "Of course I am very much in favor of a text that includes the phase-out," UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the AFP news agency before his departure for COP28. Guterres warned of a "total catastrophe" if humanity does not step up its efforts to protect the climate.
"If we do not commit to a final farewell to the fossil fuel era we are familiar with, we are calling for our own final demise," said the head of the UN Climate Change Secretariat UNFCCC, Simon Stiell, in the opening session. Stiell urged us to live up to our responsibility for future generations.
Al-Jaber also made it clear that the progress made so far was not enough "to achieve our goals on time". The conference president reaffirmed the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. However, with regard to the debate on phasing out fossil fuels, al-Jaber said that the conference must look for new ways "and ensure that the role of fossil fuels is included".
There had been criticism of al-Jaber's nomination in the run-up to the conference. The Emirates' Minister of Industry is also the head of his country's state oil company.
In Dubai, the chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Jim Skea, referred to the scientific findings that the world is heading towards a warming of up to three degrees by the end of the century. There are many ways to reduce emissions, he said, and science can help. "But science alone cannot replace necessary action," said Skea, emphasizing the responsibility of political decision-makers.
"We are not on the right track," said the German Special Envoy on Climate Change, Jennifer Morgan, adding that without additional efforts, the 1.5 degree target would not be met. Morgan also called for "phasing out the use of fossil fuels".
Almost 200 member states of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are taking part in the negotiations in Dubai. A record number of around 70,000 participants are expected. The first highlight of the two-week consultations will be a summit meeting (Climate Action Summit) at the level of heads of state and government on Friday and Saturday, which will also be attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD).
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- The new climate damage fund, which aims to support vulnerable countries in the face of climate-related losses, will receive funds from Germany, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and potentially other countries.
- At the COP28 Climate conference in Dubai, German Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) praised the historical decision as a success and an important milestone.
- Germany and the UAE will each contribute 100 million US dollars to the fund, while the UK has also announced a contribution.
- The funds will be allocated by a committee consisting of industrialized and developing countries, ensuring fair representation for all parties.
- This decision sends a positive signal to the world and sets a precedent for future climate conferences, according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
- The Climate conference in Dubai emphasizes the need for more ambitious climate protection efforts, particularly the phase-out of fossil fuels.
- The UN Climate Change Secretariat UNFCCC's head, Simon Stiell, highlighted the importance of living up to our responsibility for future generations and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.
- Despite the progress made, al-Jaber, the conference president, emphasized that the current efforts are not enough to achieve the goals on time.
- Skea, the chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), noted that while science can help reduce emissions, political action is necessary to address the problem.
- Critics have raised concerns about al-Jaber's nomination due to his role as the head of his country's state oil company, but he encouraged inclusive discussions on the future of fossil fuels.
- With over 190 member states of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and around 70,000 participants, the COP28 conference in Dubai aims to set a new standard for international climate cooperation and effective climate action.
Source: www.stern.de
