Are COPs Helping the Battle Against Climate Change?

The effectiveness of COPs in combating climate change has been questioned by critics, who highlight achievements and ongoing challenges in bridging ambitions with effective and equitable actions.

Introduction

The annual UN Climate Change Conferences or Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC, better known as COPs, have become highly anticipated events on the global stage. Each year, world leaders, negotiators, scientists, activists, and business representatives gather to address the imminent challenge of climate change. While they undoubtedly elevate awareness of the issue, whether COPs are truly effective in driving the necessary systemic change remains debatable.

Supporters of the process highlight significant diplomatic wins, such as the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the 2015 Paris Agreement. While acknowledging imperfections, these agreements represent crucial steps towards global climate action. The Paris Agreement established a framework for collective action, with nations committing to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and aiming for a more ambitious 1.5°C target. This agreement introduced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), whereby countries set their own emissions reduction goals expecting to increase ambition over time. The inaugural “global stocktake” conducted at COP28, designed to assess progress and inform future NDCs, further solidified the framework established by the Paris Agreement.

The Role and Challenges of COP Conferences in Advancing Global Climate Action

Beyond these formal agreements, COPs foster collaboration and knowledge sharing, which is crucial for developing countries facing disproportionate climate impacts. The conferences have spawned partnerships supporting mitigation and adaptation efforts in these vulnerable regions. The establishment of the Green Climate Fund and the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28, meant to address climate-related devastation, illustrate the potential of COPs to mobilise financial resources and address equity issues. As per the OECD, preliminary data suggests that the long-standing goal of developed countries mobilising US$100 billion annually in climate finance for developing countries might have been reached in 2022, showcasing progress in this critical. area.

However, the gap between ambitious announcements and action raises concerns about the COP process. Despite the Paris Agreement, GHG emissions are still rising. Projections paint a worrying picture. The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report warns that we are on a trajectory towards 2.7°C warming by 2100, even under an intermediate emissions scenario, far surpassing the crucial 1.5°C threshold. This projection is corroborated by the alarming climate events unfolding across the globe, such as the heatwaves in India, wildfires in Canada and the flooding in Pakistan.

The Dichotomy of COP Conferences: Pledges, Politics, and Genuine Climate Action

Critics also point out that many nations lack concrete policies to back their pledges, with some even regressing on commitments. The influence of fossil fuel-producing nations, including their hosting of COPs, as seen with Azerbaijan (COP29) and the UAE (COP28), adds to the scepticism, raising questions about genuine commitment and conflicts of interest. This scepticism is amplified by only 20 countries submitted updated NDCs in the past year, with most not demonstrating substantially greater ambition. Under the Enhanced Transparency Framework, Parties to the Paris Agreement must submit biennial transparency reports (BTR) every two years, with the first submission due by 31^st December 2024. Only 10 countries have submitted reports so far.

My experiences at COP27 and COP28 revealed a contrast reflecting this complexity. There is undeniably an element of orchestrated spectacle where corporations prioritise public image, oil companies engage in greenwashing, and consulting firms seek to profit from the sustainability movement. However, COPs also serve as a global platform for genuine climate action. Protests inject urgency, startups present innovative solutions, and companies showcasing real commitment receive well-deserved recognition. The global spotlight on world leaders creates a level of accountability, with a global audience demanding progress. COP also serves as a platform where the voices of the global South (which is not responsible for historical emissions) and south (which is not responsible for historical emissions) are in equity with the Global North.

Even the logistical aspects of COP draw criticism. The carbon footprint associated with participants flying across the globe seems to contradict the very goals of the conferences. Air travel is responsible for 70-80% of emissions from these conferences, with COP26 in Glasgow setting a record of over 130,000 tonnes of CO2 from 38,000 participants and COP27 in Egypt accounting for over 44,000 tonnes of emissions from international travel for 46,000 participants. While some defend the value of in-person diplomacy and the media attention these gatherings generate, calls for smaller and sustainable events are increasing.

Addressing Equity and Justice: The Complex Landscape of Global Climate Negotiations

Deep-rooted issues of equity and climate justice remain central to the debate. Developing countries, bearing the brunt of climate impacts despite contributing the least to the problem, argue that promised financial and technological support from developed nations remains inadequate. While the Loss and Damage Fund, at COP28, marks a step toward addressing historical injustices, questions remain about its implementation and funding, raising concerns about its long-term efficacy. Adding to this complexity is the lack of a clear consensus on which countries should contribute to the fund and which should benefit. The status of large developing economies like China and India and the UAE’s pledge as a developing nation further complicates the issue.

While acknowledging these limitations, most experts recognise that COPs remain a crucial, if imperfect, platform for global climate diplomacy. For all its shortcomings, the Paris Agreement provides a framework for collective action and the potential for increased ambition over time. The five year global stocktake cycles provide valuable opportunities to assess progress, identify gaps, and chart a course correction.

Ultimately, the true measure of COPs’ success lies not in the agreements reached but in the tangible action individual nations took to address climate change. No treaty, however well-crafted, can replace the need for domestic policies and concrete action. The responsibility for driving down emissions and building resilience rests with national governments. However, COPs can serve as vital catalysts. They elevate climate change on the global agenda, pressure leaders to make and keep ambitious commitments, and provide a platform for collaboration and innovation.

As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, the pressure on COPs to deliver concrete results will only intensify. The effectiveness of future COPs will depend on the shift in focus from promises to action, from pompous announcements to tangible results.

DISCLAIMER : The views expressed in this blog/article are author’s personal.