What to Expect at COP28 and Who is Attending?

The world eagerly awaits the arrival of COP28, where nations from across the globe will converge to address the pressing challenges and opportunities in the realm of climate change.

Taking place at Dubai Expo City from November 30^th to December 12th, COP28 will host around 70.000 people anticipated to attend, the focus of COP28 will be the discussion and negotiation of ambitious climate goals.

With the specter of climate change looming larger than ever, participating nations are expected to set targets that align with the latest scientific assessments and the imperative to limit global temperature rise.

As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, discussions at COP28 will delve into strategies for adaptation and building resilience. Vulnerable communities and ecosystems will be a key concern as nations work towards creating frameworks that address the immediate and future challenges posed by a changing climate.

COP28 will showcase the latest advancements in renewable energy technologies and chart the course for a global transition towards sustainable and clean energy sources. Discussions will revolve around policy frameworks, investments, and collaborative initiatives to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels.

Recognizing the interconnectedness of climate change and biodiversity loss, COP28 will address the need for comprehensive strategies to protect and restore ecosystems. Delegates will explore ways to integrate biodiversity conservation into climate action plans.

Finance remains a critical aspect of climate negotiations, and COP28 will aim to establish mechanisms to mobilize funds for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, especially in developing nations. Ensuring support for vulnerable countries will be paramount in achieving global climate goals.

COP28 will actively involve youth representatives and highlight the role of public awareness and engagement in driving climate action. The conference will seek to inspire a sense of urgency and collective responsibility among citizens worldwide.

With the clock ticking on the climate crisis, the outcomes of this conference will play a crucial role in determining the trajectory of our shared future on this planet.

Who is attending and who is not? 

A multitude of global leaders, each with their own track record on climate-related issues, have signaled their intention to participate in COP28. 

Presidents will deliver speeches in the first days of the summit. More than 160 member nations, including the UK, France, Germany and Japan, have confirmed their attendance.

The highest-profile attendees will be King Charles III, who is expected to deliver a speech at the summit’s opening ceremony, and Pope Francis, who will be the first pontiff to attend a COP. 

It is worth noting that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, recently postponed U.K. climate goals due to concerns about associated costs.

This diverse group also includes the popular Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, whose speeches are usually packed with crowds supporting the Amazonia. He has committed to halting deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

Despite varying climate positions, both Pope Francis, who recently cautioned about the world's imminent collapse, and King Charles III have confirmed their attendance at COP28.

Notably, President Biden will not be present at the world leaders' summit kicking off COP28 on Friday and Saturday, as per the official White House schedule released on Sunday. Delegates from the world's second-biggest emitter come to COP28 a year into rolling out its $369 billion-plus subsidy package for electric vehicles and other green products. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping is also not going to attend, while Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Chinese climate negotiator Xie Zhenhua are slated to represent China.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine may lead to the non-participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Every year, the United Nations rotates the location of the Conference of the Parties (COP) among five regions: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe.

Useful resources COP28

• You can get your head around Who Wants What at COP28 here
• E3G Briefing on what we need to see at COP28 here, WhatsApp Broadcast list for Journalists here.
• Powershift Africa briefing on Defining an African Agenda for COP28 here
• The UAE COP28 Presidency set out its expectations for the conference across two ‘Letters to Parties’. See the July letter here and the October letter here.
• UN Climate Summit News Finance cheat sheet here
• COP28 Presidency breakdown of the thematic days is here
• COP28 Presidency overview of the conference is here 
• COP28 Presidency details of the World Climate Action summit will be published here
• To watch the sessions see the UN webcast here
• UNFCCC side events schedule is here and YouTube stream here
• UNFCCC Press release will be here