COP28: The Topics To Watch And The Speakers To Tell You About Them

The upcoming COP28 conference, scheduled to be held in November 2023, promises to be a crucial event for global climate action. As the world grapples with the urgent need to address the climate crisis, this conference will serve as a platform for nations to come together and collectively tackle the pressing environmental challenges. Several critical issues are likely to take centre stage at COP28.

1. Carbon Neutrality Targets: One key issue to watch will be the setting of ambitious carbon neutrality targets by countries. With the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, countries will need to enhance their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. COP28 will be a litmus test to evaluate the determination of nations in meeting these targets. 
2. Adaptation and Resilience: Another crucial aspect will be the focus on adaptation and resilience measures. As climate change impacts become increasingly evident, vulnerable communities and ecosystems need support to adapt and build resilience. Discussions at COP28 will revolve around financing adaptation efforts, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives to safeguard those most affected by climate change.
3. Sustainable Energy Transition: The transition to clean and renewable energy sources will continue to be a significant topic at COP28. The conference will delve into discussions on scaling up renewable energy deployment, promoting energy efficiency, and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies. Encouraging international cooperation to accelerate the global energy transition will be crucial for achieving climate goals.
4. Loss and Damage: COP28 will also address the issue of loss and damage caused by climate change impacts, particularly in vulnerable developing nations. Discussions will revolve around establishing mechanisms to provide financial support and technical assistance to countries affected by severe weather events, rising sea levels, and other climate-related disasters.
5. Biodiversity Conservation: Recognising the inextricable link between climate change and biodiversity loss, COP28 is expected to emphasize the need for biodiversity conservation. Participants will discuss measures to protect and restore ecosystems, halt deforestation, and promote sustainable land and ocean management practices.

COP28 represents a crucial opportunity for global collaboration and commitment to combat the climate crisis. As the conference unfolds, these key issues will shape the discussions and ultimately determine the future trajectory of global climate action.

Chartwell represents a range of knowledgable speakers who can offer their thoughts and insights on COP28 including the below:

Gabrielle Walker: Environmental strategist and author of 'The Hot Topic: How to Avoid Global Warming While Still Keeping the Lights On'

Alok Sharma: President of COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (2020)

Simon Mundy: Financial Times journalist and author of 'Race for Tomorrow' about the global fight to respond to climate change

Nigel Topping: UK's High-Level Climate Action Champion, appointed by the UK Prime Minister in January 2022

Christiana Figueres: Former Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and co-author of 'The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis'

 Hamza Yassin: Celebrated British wildlife cameraman and presenter of shows including Countryfile and Animal Park

Chris Skidmore: Former Minister for Energy and Clean Growth (2019) where he signed the UK's Net Zero pledge into law

Stuart Kirk: Columnist for the Financial Times and Former Head of Responsible Investments at HSBC (2021-2022)

Ellen MacArthur: Founder of Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2010), environmental campaigner and fastest woman to sail solo around the worldDavid Shukman

Former Science Editor at BBC News and author of 'Reporting Live from the End of the World' and 'An Iceberg as Big as Manhattan'

Adair Turner: Chairman of the Energy Transitions Commission and author of 'Capitalism in the Age of Robots' (2022)

Jane Goodall: Anthropologist, primatologist and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, a global organisation dedicated to wildlife conservation

Tariq Fancy: Former Chief Investment Officer for Sustainable Investing at BlackRock and author of viral essay 'The Secret Diary of a Sustainable Investor' 

Mike Berners-Lee Professor at Lancaster University's Environment Centre and author of 'There Is No Planet B: A Handbook for the Make or Break Years'

For a fuller list of sustainability speakers, see here.