During the two weeks of COP 28, under the leadership of the COP 28 Presidency, significant progress has been observed under the Global Climate Action Agenda. The High-Level Champions and the Marrakech Partnership have organized over 40 events, including Action Events, Implementation Labs, and High-Level Champion Special Events.
These events have showcased the collective momentum from diverse sectors and addressed crucial issues for driving global ambition and action. It is important to recognize and track the announcements, commitments, declarations, and progress of cooperative climate initiatives made during COP 28 to ensure effective contribution to accelerating the multilateral process towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, particularly the first Global Stocktake to be concluded at COP 28.
In collaboration with the COP 28 Presidency and the High-Level Champions, the UNFCCC secretariat has been tracking announcements and initiatives during COP 28.
It emphasizes the importance of rapid decarbonization of the energy system to achieve the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The transition needs to accelerate both from the demand and supply side, taking into account energy security and ensuring fairness.
The COP 28 Presidency has played a leading role in launching initiatives to accelerate the energy transition. One such initiative is the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge, which has been endorsed by 130 national governments, including the European Union.
The pledge commits signatories to triple the world's installed renewable energy generation capacity to at least 11,000 GW by 2030 and double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements.
In addition to the work of the COP 28 Presidency, there have been announcements and collaborations across the global climate action agenda. The Powering Past Coal Alliance has added new members and is working towards transitioning from coal power generation to clean energy. France has launched the Coal Transition Accelerator to facilitate just transitions from coal to clean energy.
The Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy, endorsed by 22 national governments, aims to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050 and encourages the inclusion of nuclear energy in energy lending policies.
The High-Level Champions have played an active role in accelerating energy transition. They launched the Utilities for Zero Alliance, which has 31 partners committed to advancing electrification, renewables-ready grids, and clean energy deployment. They also launched new breakthroughs on methane reduction in the oil and gas sector and on electrification.
The Champions have contributed to the expansion of the Breakthrough Agenda launched at COP 26, including initiatives like the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough to speed up decarbonization in the industry.
Progress reports indicate that the Race to Zero Campaign has seen significant growth in membership, with over 13,500 non-Party stakeholders engaged since COP 26.
Announcements related to shipping include the formation of the Cargo Owners for Zero Emission Vessels, a collaborative platform to drive action towards zero-emissions ocean transport. The Green Maritime Africa Coalition (GMAC) promotes the use of zero-emission fuels in Africa's maritime sector, aligning with the International Maritime Organization's decarbonization plan.
Countries involved in the Latin American and Caribbean Renewables Hub have raised their targets for renewable energy in electricity generation and aim to achieve a significant share of renewable energy in the total energy supply by 2030.
At COP 27, the importance of addressing developing countries debt and reforming international financial architecture was recognized alongside the mobilization of public and private finance.
During COP 28, various national governments and organizations made commitments to climate finance, including the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, Least Developed Countries Fund, and Special Climate Change Fund.
Under the COP 28 Presidency, 13 national governments endorsed the UAE Leaders' Declaration on a Global Climate Finance Framework, aiming to unlock climate finance investment opportunities through collective action and delivering at scale.
The High-Level Champions presented outcomes on climate finance, including the publication of Assets to Flows II, emphasizing the need for increased investment and finance for climate projects, especially in developing countries. Collaboration with multilateral development banks and the Independent High-Level Expert Group was highlighted.
In response to the need for international financial architecture reform, multilateral development banks and organizations like the Green Climate Fund endorsed the Joint Declaration and Task Force on Credit Enhancement of Sustainability-Linked Sovereign Financing for Nature and Climate. This initiative aims to provide long-term fiscal solutions to developing countries.
A Call for Collaboration on enhancing the enabling environment for private finance mobilization in adaptation and resilience was issued at COP 28, developed by private sector stakeholders, Parties, and supported by High-Level Champions.
The Global Capacity Building Coalition, supported by various organizations, aims to improve climate finance technical assistance programs for financial institutions in emerging markets and developing economies.
The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), part of the Coalition, has been developing tools and methodologies to support financial institutions' net-zero commitments, as shown in its 2023 Progress Report on transition finance.
The UN-convened Net-Zero Export Credit Agencies Alliance (NZECA) was launched by eight export credit agencies, in partnership with other organizations, to decarbonize global trade and promote joint action from public and private finance.
The Center for Global Commons at the University of Tokyo released a report emphasizing the need to mobilize capital for nature conservation, focusing on transforming policies, viable business models, and financial innovation.
The Asia Development Bank launched the Nature Solutions Hub for Asia and the Pacific to increase the flow of public and private finance into nature conservation and biodiversity preservation in the region.
The record-breaking temperatures and climate-induced disasters have highlighted the urgent need for increased action to adapt and build resilience, particularly in vulnerable communities. The Sharm el-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda (SAA) has been driving this action with stakeholders across systems, presenting over 30 global adaptation outcome targets to increase the resilience of four billion people by 2030.
The first implementation report at COP28 assessed the progress and challenges in closing adaptation gaps and building resilience. Health, food and agriculture, and nature were key focuses of the SAA, with new adaptation outcomes identified in each area. The COP28 Presidency led efforts to strengthen collective action, resulting in the endorsement of the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate Relief, Recovery, and Peace by 78 national governments and 40 organizations.
The interconnections between health and climate, as well as sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems, were emphasized, with commitments made to enhance support and coordination. The importance of nature in climate change mitigation and resilience was recognized, leading to the launch of the COP28 Joint Statement for Climate, Nature, and People.
Commitments were made to collaborate on integrated action for climate and nature. Efforts were also made to promote nature-based climate action and forest conservation. The Race to Resilience campaign worked in tandem with the SAA, mobilizing stakeholders to enhance human-focused resilience-building. The progress report highlighted the pledges made and ongoing actions to boost the resilience of billions of people.
Progress was also made in early warning systems coverage, particularly in Africa. Multilevel action was recognized as crucial, leading to the establishment of the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnership (CHAMP) for Climate Action. National governments committed to enhancing cooperation with subnational governments in climate strategies. Breakthroughs were launched, such as the Buildings Breakthrough, to promote near-zero emissions and climate-resilient buildings. Annual assessments will track global progress in the sector.
Climate change has significant impacts on communities and societies, particularly vulnerable communities and underrepresented groups. Recognizing the importance of representing all voices, the COP 28 Presidency and the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC have committed to making COP 28 the most inclusive UN Climate Change Conference to date.
To promote youth engagement, the COP 28 Presidency has appointed a Youth Climate Champion, building on the foundations of the COP27 Youth Envoy. The Youth Climate Champion, along with YOUNGO (the official children and youth constituency of the UNFCCC), organized the Dubai Youth Dialogue and launched the outcome of the Youth Stocktake, which tracks youth inclusion and policy implementation progress.
Gender equity is also emphasized for inclusivity. The COP 28 Presidency and the COP 28 High-Level Champion have launched the COP 28 Gender-Responsive Just Transitions and Climate Action Partnership. The partnership, signed by 78 national governments, aims to support just and inclusive transitions that advance gender equality and report on the implementation of commitments at COP 32.
In collaboration with UN Women, the COP 28 Presidency, COP 28 High-Level Champion, IUCN, Women’s Environment and Development Organization, and the UNFCCC secretariat, a Global Call to Action was issued to produce and utilize gender-environment data to drive progress on gender-responsive climate and environment commitments.
Efforts to drive the participation, inclusion, and leadership of Indigenous Peoples were showcased at COP 28. The Podong Indigenous Peoples Initiative, launched with the engagement of the High-Level Champion of COP 28, IUCN, the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity, and the IUCN Indigenous Peoples Organisations members, provides direct funding to Indigenous Peoples with a focus on ensuring at least 85% of funds reach Indigenous territories and communities.
Technology and capacity building are seen as enablers for inclusion. The 5th Capacity-building Hub created an inclusive platform, including a 'Capacities for Rights-based Climate Action Day,' which integrated participatory approaches into climate action and enhanced the capacity of various stakeholders to participate constructively. Private finance was also explored as an enabler during the 'Private Finance Capacities Day' to mobilize private capital for climate action.
The Technology Executive Committee and Enterprise Neurosystem have launched the AI Innovation Grand Challenge, aiming to support the development of AI-powered solutions for climate action in developing countries, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
To achieve a whole society and whole-of-economy approach, sectors like sport, fashion, entertainment, and culture were present at COP 28 to showcase initiatives that engage all levels of society in the climate conversation. The Sports For Climate Action initiative highlighted its strategy for sport's role in climate action, while the Global Climate Action Awards recognized innovative climate action undertaken by young people worldwide to create more sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities.
The 2030 Climate Solutions: an Implementation Roadmap' is a comprehensive set of solutions and actions compiled by the High-Level Champions, the Marrakech Partnership, and other partners. It aims to guide the global climate action for the next five-year cycle under the Paris Agreement, starting with the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake at the end of COP 28.
The roadmap emphasizes the need to scale up and replicate effective measures already being undertaken by non-Party stakeholders. These measures have been identified through insights provided by a wide range of stakeholders. The primary objectives of the roadmap are to halve global emissions, address adaptation gaps, and increase the resilience of four billion people from vulnerable communities to climate risks by 2030.
By bridging current gaps and implementing the identified actions, the roadmap aims to accelerate progress towards achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. It recognizes the importance of collaboration and cooperation among various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society organizations, and individuals, in order to bring about meaningful and impactful change.
Overall, the 2030 Climate Solutions: an Implementation Roadmap' provides a strategic framework for tackling climate change and serves as a guide for global efforts to combat the climate crisis in the coming years.
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