Erisher Woyo
The recent conclusion of COP 28 in Dubai, a global gathering under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), stands as a crucial forum for dialogue among political leaders, activists, scientists and various stakeholders in addressing climate change. Yet, the assessment of whether COP 28 marked a significant shift towards sustainability or was merely a façade hiding insufficient action remains uncertain, raising questions about its actual impact.
As the dust settles after COP 27, discontent continues to linger with the outcomes of COP 28, leaving many individuals and climate activists sharing a sense of dissatisfaction with the summit’s resolutions.
Throughout COP 28, promises were made, speeches delivered, and pledges announced, creating expectations for substantial change. The discussions were monumental, with nearly 200 countries agreeing to ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels, a sentiment welcomed by COP proponents. However, amidst these declarations, doubts persist about the summit’s effectiveness in addressing the urgency of the climate crisis.
Historically, COP conferences have often been criticised for their inability to translate ambitious promises into concrete action, becoming emblematic of greenwashing. They have shown a tendency for rhetoric to overshadow real progress. The influential Paris Agreement of 2015 is a glaring example which frequently fell short of its goals.
A few days following COP 28, the president of the conference expressed commitment to continued oil investment, raising concerns about the actual implementation of the summit’s consensus. This lack of concrete action and urgency in the face of environmental crises makes the outcomes of COP 28 appear ineffective.
One of the consistent themes in COP conferences has been the gap between ambition and reality. Past gatherings have seen grand declarations followed by insufficient follow-through, leading to unmet promises and missed targets.
This recurring pattern raises skepticism about the transformative impact of COP 28’s purported landmark deal.
While COP 28 generated hope and pledges for a sustainable future, doubts persist about its actual impact.
The challenge now is to ensure that commitments made at such forums translate into meaningful action on the ground, substantially addressing the climate crisis.
In summary, the aftermath of COP 28 evokes both hope and skepticism, emphasising the need for tangible and impactful measures to combat climate change, rather than mere rhetoric and promises. The true success of COP 28 will be measured not in pledges made, but in actions taken.
* Erisher Woyo holds strong opinions about sustainability. He is an academic in the Department of Marketing, International Business and Tourism at the Manchester Metropolitan University. He writes in his personal capacity.