Temperatures rise for COP28

COP28 conference faces criticism - 27th November 2023

This year's UN climate change conference, COP28, is already causing problems, even before it begins. The 28th conference is taking place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE's also one of the planet's largest oil producers.

As well as being the COP28 President, Sultan Al Jaber is also the head of the country's government-owned oil company. He believes in decreasing fossil fuels, not in ending them completely.

According to activists like Greta Thunberg, the UN's attempts to include fossil fuel companies at COP aren't right. They say it prevents progress on climate change.

At present, global warming is moving towards 2.5 degrees Celsius higher than in the years before modern industry. At the climate conference in Paris in 2015, a 1.5 degree level was agreed.

Now, disappointment with COP is high. Kenyan climate campaigner Eric Njuguna explained his fears for poorer societies and for the future. Of COP28, he's said, "We let a mosquito lead the fight against malaria."

At COP27, Njuguna spoke about these important issues for poorer communities. While they have extremely low gas emissions, they're often the biggest victims of climate change. Richer countries, which produce 92 percent of total fossil fuel emissions, agreed on a special fund. This was an agreement to give money to help other nations. Now there's a possibility that the fund might be cancelled.

Experts have described 2023 as the hottest year ever, so action by governments and businesses is essential. Will COP28 be remembered for the right or the wrong reasons?