Reflections on COP28
Photo: Jeff Schlegelmilch
Whether historic or disappointing, significant or dominated by Big Oil, COP28 sparked varied reactions among its 85,000 attendees from 196 countries. Such disparate responses are due in part to the sheer size of the conference and the challenge of experiencing all it has to offer.
Columbia Climate School Faculty Lecturer Andrew Kruczkiewicz notes, “Any progress towards a key goal, such as phasing out fossil fuels, can be seen through a variety of lenses.” This relative perspective defines the success of COP28, with speed of achieving the goal, binding or non-binding commitments, and impacts on vulnerable populations shaping perceptions of success or failure.
Dean Jeff Shaman highlights various representatives from Columbia’s academic and research institutes at the conference, emphasizing the opportunity for collaboration across sectors. Gender equity and energy transition were prominent themes, with discussions led by prominent female figures stressing the importance of female voices in tackling climate change.
Looking beyond COP28, Kruczkiewicz reflects, “It’s still challenging to assess to what extent the pledges, commitments and actions are sincere or not.” Amidst this uncertainty, the consensus to “transition away” from fossil fuels at COP28 is considered a step in the right direction.
Dean Shaman echoes this sentiment, stating, “The consensus agreement to ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels is noteworthy. Specifically for COP, I’m hoping to develop opportunities for Climate School students to engage in the negotiation process at future meetings. There is so much work to be done, but I remain optimistic it can be done.”
