Voices at COP28 and the power of language

A snapshot of global climate conversations at COP 28

Global warming may increase the intensity and frequency of droughts in many areas (Image: Maher Najm; Flickr PDM 1.0 DEED)

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22 Dec 2023, 12:53 pm

5 min read

One of the most notable points of contention at the COP28 summit, hosted this year by the United Arab Emirates, was around language. The language chosen to describe the future of fossil fuels. Midway through negotiations, the word ‘phase out’ of fossil fuels was dropped from the 21-page global stocktake draft, sparking a necessary outcry from civil society and climate-vulnerable parties alike.

After long-drawn, fervent discussions with its near-200 participating nations, the chosen words of ‘transitioning away from’ fossil fuels, replaced the earlier ‘phase out.’ We’re given the recommendations to ‘phase-down’ unabated coal power and the ‘phasing out’ is restricted to inefficient fossil fuel subsidies but not fossil fuels at large. This remains historic though, as the first overt mention of moving away from fossil fuels in a finalized, collective agreement.

While these words could be more drastic in turning the corner, they do signal the inevitable end of the fossil fuel reign. The COP conferences, hosting diverse nations with varying economic priorities, unanimously acknowledged the need to move away from fossil fuels, marking a crucial step post-Paris Agreement. The real implications of this 'transition' will hopefully become clearer as nations individually implement these agreements.

Words play a key role in highlighting the importance of reminding us of what is happening and what needs to be done. Words are a rallying call to our collective psyche, to remind us of the world we live in and what we must remember as we make choices that affect more than our own lives. When the words we need are missing, and our language is not strong enough, our collective psyche begins to misremember and forget.

To dwell on more aspects of the summit, let’s think about the words that do bring scope for meaningful change. Hope lies in this year's conference bringing many new, key players together, and opening the floor to voices that were earlier not effectively engaged in these global negotiations. This shows a recognition of how great our need is, and that the best chance we have is to leverage combined resources while learning from each other.

Efforts to bring the world together, through bringing people together, have been made at COP28. The first beacon of hope is the younger generation. This year’s Global Youth Statement, the most comprehensive one yet, brought together younger generations from over 160 countries to put forward collective climate policy demands and aspirations.

For the first time, there will be a version of these demands available in a child-friendly language, which serves as a great resource for early climate education. While youth leaders across the world are leading climate action, there is little room at the table for them to be involved in climate policy. Another first of its kind, the Youth Stocktake, accounts for this by pushing for increased youth involvement in climate diplomacy at the COP.

"Actionism," vigorous action to bring about change, is a word to rally behind here. COP28 presents the shared stories of climate actionists around the world. These actionists, representatives from the worlds of business, technology, and philanthropy, along with youth activists, health advocates, and indigenous groups, are finding innovative ways to engage with the climate narrative while refusing to leave this crisis in the hands of policymakers alone.

At the COP28 Climate Innovation Forum, a platform for leaders in the technology sector, Google’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Kate Brandt, shared the idea of Moonshot Thinking for climate action. Moonshot Thinking suggests we need to reimagine our Climate Ambition, that we need radical solutions and not incremental ones, and that timid measures will not suffice.

The next group brought together over 450 mayors and governors through the Local Climate Action Summit, highlighting the growing influence of cities. This called for increased involvement of local and regional leaders in contributing to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), creating room for new ideas through local involvement in decision-making.

In line with this, COP28 saw a Ministerial Meeting on Urbanisation and Climate Change, only the second coming together of ministers of housing, urban development, and environment at the COP, with delegates subsequently asking for continued involvement with the COP.

Additionally, COP28 marked a notable shift in engaging the private sector through the Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum, the first of its kind multi-stakeholder platform to be officially held at COP, acknowledging that governments alone don’t have the capital or capacity to bring about the scale of change needed. To move from billions to the trillions required for an unprecedented climate transition necessitates public, business and philanthropic collaboration.

Another notable shift at COP28 was the emphasis on the health benefits of stronger climate action. In another first, health ministers attended the conference along with environment ministers, highlighting the need to address the long-growing social implications of global policy negotiations.

During the World Climate Action Summit, the pivotal role of Indigenous leaders was emphasised. Comprising only 5% of our global population, these communities protect around 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity. Much is to be learned from their deep connection with the world’s ecosystems, which remains a key focus of COP28-COP30 partnerships.

Religious leaders convened at the first Faith Pavilion at a COP, discussing the importance faith communities and religious institutions can have in mitigating climate change. Over 84% of the world’s population identifies with a religion, empowering these groups to mobilise vast numbers of people by instilling shared meaning and purpose around the climate narrative.

Despite progress, some voices felt excluded. Diplomats from small island nations express despair at being kept out of the room while this agreement was adopted, an agreement essential to their survival. However, they didn’t block this final agreement. As UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said in his closing speech, “Whilst we didn’t turn the page on the fossil fuel era in Dubai, this outcome is the beginning of the end.”

For all its shortcomings, each COP is an opportunity for the world to come together and speak. And the value of conversation remains timeless. Inclusivity calls for all voices at the table and brings more voices into a conversation that involves everyone.

This year saw not only policymakers but an influx of representatives from the worlds of business, technology, and philanthropy, along with youth activists, health advocates, and indigenous groups, to name a few. Emitters, leaders, and guardians alike deserve to be a part of these dialogues if there is any chance of our success in mitigating the climate crisis. COP28 concludes with the hope that this momentum gained in making room at the table continues to grow.