(Versão português: aqui)
Dubai is the masculine archetype
Everything is big and phallic, boasting power and luxury. Almost 80% of women have higher education and are in high positions, but they are still stifled by the “rulers”, who can have up to 4 women.
Only 15% of the population is local, 85% are immigrants
Mainly people from India, the Philippines and African countries looking for a better quality of life. As their family members are not entitled to passports, they usually stay for a few years and then return to their countries.
The EAU constitution is very progressive.
Created in 1971, it talks about freedom of expression and formation of association. It mentions that all people are equal in terms of race, nationality, religion and social status. However, in practice this does not seem to be that true.
Strategy beyond oil
They have a plan to create a new economic sector every 3 years. And construction, tourism and financial services have grown a lot, but oil still leads GDP. (link)
Gender inequality
A photo of the COP28 presidency celebrating the final result of the meeting makes the lack of women in leadership positions very clear. (link)
The 1.5C target is still alive
Strategies to maintain the Paris Agreement target were considered several times, even though the net zero target is still variable.
Transition away from fossil fuels
This was the way that the 200 countries found to reach a definition on the biggest cause of climate change. (link)
Lots of pressure and lobbying
The oil cartel’s proposal was not to mention fossil fuels, as they had achieved at all COPs, or to talk about “unabated”, that is, where they could continue extracting oil as long as they use technology to capture emissions. (link)
High investment in renewable energy
In the final document, the Global Stocktake (GST), the goal of tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency was established.
Loss and Damage Fund
The fund to help vulnerable communities impacted by the climate was approved on the first day of the COP, after decades of negotiation. It was already expected to be approved, so there is talk of a negotiation maneuver by the host country. (link)
But who pays the bill?
UAE, Germany and the EU made the first investments, reaching $770.6M, with some of these investments having already been announced (re-pledge). However, the value still represents 0.2% of the needs of emerging countries. (link)
Brazil created the “Tropical Forest Forever” fund
With an innovative model, based on investment interest and annual payments for conserved and restored hectares. The proposal was praised even though many details about its operation are still missing. (link)
Nothing significant for regenerative agriculture
According to The Guardian, more than 120 meat and dairy lobbyists participated in the COP and pushed for changes not to evolve. (link)
A mention about food and biodiversity was a milestone
Food systems represent ⅓ of global emissions, but only this year were they more representative, even if there are still many flaws. The term “nature” was mentioned 8 times and “biodiversity” 5 times.
Mention about deforestation
The final document “emphasizes” that preventing and reversing deforestation and forest degradation by 2030 will be fundamental to meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Colombia was a highlight
They signed an open letter to promote the implementation of Nature-Based Solutions. They signed a petition against fossil fuels (link), in addition to launching a candidacy to host the next COP16 Biodiversity, in 2024. (link)
Norway supporting family farming
New agreements for climate adaptation and food systems transformation with approximately $47 million, largely for smallholder farmers. (link) In addition to the donation of 50 million dollars to the Amazon Fund. (link). But they also announced $19 billion in oil (link).
Mention about indigenous communities was shallow
The final text contains 9 mentions about “indigenous peoples”, but does not mention anything about how to support and finance these communities. (link)
Article 6 (carbon market) did not move
Following the success of the Glasgow COP26 negotiations with rules for bilateral carbon trade between countries (Article 6.2) and on an international carbon market (Article 6.4). In Dubai, the countries do not reach new agreements.
Next steps
The final document “encourages” countries to present, by 2025, new commitments for 2035, aligned with 1.5C. The so-called “1.5C mission” will be led by Brazil, held at COP30.
