Download: Connected - COP28 and the First Global Stocktake
In the first of a new series of UKCRIC 'Connected' thought leadership publications, Dr Tom Dolan, UKCRIC Senior Research Fellow and C-DICE Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University College London, provides a detailed reflection of his experience as a 'virtual observer' at COP28.
Introduction
I had the good fortune to attend a number of thought-provoking sessions as one of UCL’s virtual observers at COP28. This experience was simultaneously inspiring, affirmational, troubling and disappointing. Overall, it strengthened my belief in the conclusions emerging from my UKCRIC and C-DICE research but did little to assuage my nagging doubts regarding the overall efficacy of the COP process.
This thought piece opens with a brief overview of COP28, and elaborates as to why the experience of attending COP28 was simultaneously affirmational, inspirational, troubling and ultimately disappointing. This includes my personal critique of how and why the scope, and outcome, of the First Global Stocktake (Draft decision -/CMA.5) were a missed opportunity with the potential to impede the successful ratcheting up of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) at future COPs.
The article then focuses on three positive perspectives, specifically: a potential vision for Climate Positive Infrastructure Systems; the possibility that a fossil fuel phase out is now imminent and that it is in the enlightened self-interest of all global citizens, governments and businesses to start behaving now as though a future date for a fossil fuel phase out has already been agreed; and inspired by the intensity of the COP28 People’s Plenary, some thoughts on how we can add our own voices to, and amplify those of, the representatives of communities for whom failing to limit global warming to 1.5oC is an existential threat.