13 décembre
A historic agreement
A consensus was reached on a "transition" away from fossil fuels to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. A first in COP history!
Completed
COP28
COP28 in Dubai will feature the first Global Stocktake of efforts to meet the objectives set out in the Paris Agreement.
The context
The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will take place in Dubai from November 30 to December 12.
The world's largest climate summit brings together delegations from 196 countries, as well as civil society and private sector delegations. This year, more than 70,000 delegates are expected to attend. COP28 will be taking place in the United Arab Emirates where the economy is based on fossil fuels, and against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions. Civil society will be keeping an eye on any attempts at greenwashing and on promoting false solutions, both by Canada and the rest of the world
The issues
Several major issues will be negotiated at COP28:
The first Global Stocktake on ambition and action
A decision is expected on the first Global Stocktake in order to submit new targets next year for 2035. Countries and stakeholders must acknowledge the gaps that must be closed in order to keep the global average temperature from rising to 1.5°C - the main objective of the Paris Agreement. To remain within this threshold, emissions must be reduced by 43% by 2030. The solutions are well known: it's time to implement them.
An agreement on the energy transition and reducing GHG emissions
The agreement to be negotiated will need to include clear language on the phase-out of fossil fuels and must ensure to block any loopholes. The international community is also expecting an agreement on a renewable energy development target of 1.5 TWh.
Progress on adaptation for the most vulnerable countries
Negotiations will be held on the framework for a global adaptation target. Failure of these negotiations would be catastrophic for the most vulnerable countries and communities.
Quick establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund
The new Loss and Damage Fund, created at COP27, needs to be made operational as soon as possible. This year, it is vital that decisions be taken regarding how it will work, including how and where funding will be allocated, so as to ensure support for communities that are suffering economic, social and cultural harm as a result of the climate crisis.
Climate funding, for climate justice
This cross-sectional issue, negotiated through different frameworks, is crucial. Existing shortfalls in commitments by developed countries must be filled, and negotiations on new mechanisms and financial flows must move forward in order to galvanize mitigation and adaptation actions, and adequately compensate for loss and damage suffered by the world's most vulnerable communities.
Just transition
There will be negotiations around the Work Program on Just Transition. It is imperative that Canada be proactive on this issue at COP28 and implement the transition in Canada.
What’s Équiterre doing at COP28?
Équiterre’s Climate Policy Analyst, Andréanne Brazeau, and Mobilization Project Manager, Marie-Eve Leclerc, will be on site at COP28.
Équiterre’s delegation will be carrying out a number of activities, including:
- Highlighting the issues of climate disinformation and polarization at the Canada and Francophonie Pavilions, alongside experts from Quebec and various countries in a panel jointly organized with the UNESCO Chair on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Extremism;
- Monitoring negotiations on the Global Stocktake, the renewable energy development target and the Just Transition Work Program, and keeping the Quebec public and media informed;
- Taking part in daily debriefing sessions held as part of the Climate Dialogues;
- Representing civil society in discussions with the governments of Quebec and Canada.
L’EncyCOPédie
Disinformation and polarization
This year, Équiterre will be focusing on climate disinformation and polarization. Identified by the IPCC as an obstacle to climate action, especially in North America, this issue has been gaining increased prominence.
🌗 A growing problem!
Identified by the IPCC as an obstacle to climate action, particularly in North America, climate misinformation and polarization are gaining ground in the public arena.
Équiterre, in partnership with the UNESCO Chair on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Extremism (UNESCO-PREV Chair) will be hosting COP28 panel discussions on December 2 and 5. The panels will address the issues of disinformation and polarization as they relate to the climate crisis and international climate negotiations, and will help to identify solutions to these phenomena in Canada and elsewhere.
Representatives from UNESCO-PREV Chair, the Conscious Advertising Network, Climate Outreach and the Charte pour un journalisme à la hauteur de l'urgence écologique will be participating in these events hosted by Équiterre.
COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, a country whose wealth is derived from the production of oil, is the perfect place to talk about climate disinformation, because it is the major oil companies that are at the core of the problem.
Everything you need to know about climate disinformation
Have a look at our resourceCOP28 News
Stay up-to-date on the latest developments and our delegation’s insights.
7 décembre
Filing of regulatory framework for (GHG) emissions cap
The federal government has announced a cap-and-trade system to reverse the upward trend in emissions from Canada's fossil fuel industry.
6 décembre
Interview with Steven Guilbeault
We spoke to Canada's Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, about Canada's record, its ambitions, misinformation and the role of the environmental movement.
5 décembre
"Climate Misinformation and Polarization: Issues and Solutions in Canada and Around the World" panel discussion
Équiterre, in partnership with the UNESCO-PREV Chair, is organizing a panel discussion at the Pavillon de la Francophonie. The specialists taking part in our panels will share solutions to counter the promotion of false information and solutions on climate issues.
Quebec is nominated for co-presidency of Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance
4 décembre
New federal regulations to reduce methane emissions
The federal government announces a new phase of regulations aimed at reducing methane emissions from the fossil fuel sector by 75% by 2030.
2 décembre
“Climate Misinformation and Polarization : Issues and Solutions in Canada and Around the World” panel discussion
Équiterre, in partnership with the UNESCO-PREV Chair, is organizing a panel discussion at the Canada Pavilion. The specialists taking part in our panels will share solutions to counter the promotion of false information and solutions on climate issues.
1 décembre
Canada contributes to the new loss and damage fund
The Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, has announced that Canada will contribute $16 million to the fund.
30 novembre
24 novembre
Équiterre will be addressing climate disinformation at COP28
"COP28 must be the COP of truth. We’ll be there with our allies to ensure that discussions focus on real solutions, not false ones. We need to collectively counteract the fossil fuel industry in its efforts to maintain a dangerous status quo."
FAQ
Why does Équiterre participate in COPs?
The COP is a valuable forum for influencing Canada and other countries, since decisions made there will shape the climate action taken by governments. Ambitious decisions have the potential to raise ambition levels, both nationally and locally.
When the United Arab Emirates was announced as host country for COP28, with Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of the UAE's national oil company, as President, certain civil society organizations decided to boycott. Équiterre decided not to, because if we boycott the COP, we leave more room for the oil lobby and the other major polluters, who have no qualms about participating. Équiterre therefore feels that boycotting is not an option.
Furthermore, having representatives from civil society present is crucial when it comes to influencing international discussions on climate change.
Why is Équiterre interested in climate disinformation?
Climate disinformation is an issue of growing concern. In addition to impeding actions to combat climate change, misinformation and disinformation polarize the debate and divide societies worldwide. The urgency of the climate crisis requires that we focus on this issue in order to come up with collective solutions.
Why are COPs useful?
The climate COPs alone cannot "save the world," but they have nonetheless led to important advances, such as the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund at COP27.
The gains made at COPs are enshrined in international law and are difficult to reverse. Admittedly, this makes for a slow process, but one with a solid foundation and real impact.
Finally, a COP is the only meeting where countries with little influence on the world stage can have a voice that carries as much weight as that of the bigger players. It's a unique opportunity to tell the story of the many challenges faced by the most vulnerable communities, whether it involves funding efforts to reduce GHG emissions, adapting to the various impacts of climate change, or suffering irreversible damage.
Équiterre is using its on-site presence to support these communities, amplify their voices and ensure that countries like Canada contribute their fair share to global climate action.
The Équiterre team has to fly to get to the COPs; isn't that a problem?
Équiterre is aware of the environmental impact of air travel. Our organization therefore always sends a minimum delegation, in order to limit this impact at the source. We also always offset the GHG emissions associated with this travel, even though this is by no means a panacea.
This type of travel, which is exceptional, is well worth the effort in Équiterre's view, especially given the importance of human relations in advancing the cause and negotiations. It's the excesses, such as the frequent use of private jets or multiple flights for pleasure over short periods of time, that need to be denounced.
Related content
Équipe
Analyst, Climate Policy
abrazeau@equiterre.orgSee profileabrazeau@equiterre.org
Mobilization Manager
meleclerc@equiterre.orgSee profilemeleclerc@equiterre.org
Équiterre's participation in COP28 is made possible with the help of financial support from the Quebec government under the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy and the mesure de Coopération climatique municipale.
