A second-timer's resource guide to COP28
The biggest climate conference is happening again, and I'm as lost as most of you are.
COP27 was the first COP I attended in person, and the 3rd that I’ve followed. It was an overwhelming experience, and continues to be because of the sheer intensity and confusion not just on the UNFCCC process itself but because of everything else that happens around it.
As I head to COP28 tomorrow, I just thought to document a few things that I’m reading, planning and following if that helps anyone plan their 2 weeks in-person or online.
Here’s how this newsletter will be structured:
Pavilion programmes to check out in-person/virtually (non-country Pavilions)
Social media accounts that I’m following to keep up with COP28
Key background reading if you’re trying to figure COP28 out
Hope it helps!
COP28 Pavilions
Just a note here that I won’t be covering the country Pavilions because there are SO MANY of them, so here we go.
Let’s start with the map here first. Download it so you don’t get lost.
UNFCCC Pavilion (Program)
All things Paris Agreement.
Singapore (Program)
(Livestream available) This is the only exception I make when it comes to talking about country Pavilions. Come check out what the Singapore Pavilion has in store!!
Business Pavilion (Program)
We need private voices to be just as loud. We Mean Business Coalition is hosting the Business Pavilion for Climate Leadership in the Blue Zone to bring an ambitious and coordinated business voice to COP28 in Dubai.
UNEP Multilateral Environment Agreement Pavilion (Program)
This Pavilion will have information on the Montreal Protocol and Rio Conventions, I guess? Think ozone, transport decarbonization and more. The Rio schedule is still on its way…
Ocean Pavilion (Program)
(Livestream available) This was one of my favourite Pavilions last year and the programme looks fantastic this year. I look forward to more talk on blue economy and DSM again because we need to get a move on!
Food Pavilions - (Food4Climate Pavilion, Food Pavilion, Food Systems Pavilion)
(Livestream available) I don’t know why we need 3 food pavilions but okay.
Health Pavilion (Program)
(Livestream available) Supported by the World Health Organisation, I really liked this Pavilion last year because #planetaryhealth. It’s an up-and-coming topic, and it’s cool to see what’s up.
Cryosphere Pavilion (Program)
This pavilion goes brr.
International Development Finance Club Pavilion (Program)
(Livestream available) A lot of conversations on carbon markets and climate finance, not surprising with a focus on development banks.
IUCN Pavilion “Unite for Nature” (Program)
(Livestream available) Not the biggest fan of their poster but yay nature pavilion!
Entertainment + Culture Pavilion (Program)
I’m so excited for this because it’s such a one-of-a-kind pavilion with a focus on arts, music and entertainment for climate action. Top on my list for sure.
Buildings Pavilion (Program)
(Livestream available) All about decarbonizing the built environment which also covers energy efficiency, circular economy and financing.
Storytelling for Action Pavilion (Program)
This sounds super cool but no program up yet. Sad.
Powering Past Coal Pavilion (Program)
Loving some of the programming on coal phase out in coal-dependent regions.
Trade House Pavilion (Program)
(Livestream available) Apparently it’s the first time trade is featured as a specific theme at the conference, as part of the United Arab Emirates’ COP28 Presidency Programme, so hello trade house!
Children & Youth Pavilion (Program)
By YOUNGO in its 2nd run, a space for young people to energize, galvanise and for old(er) people to figure out what it means to truly include youths in decision making. Not about us, without us.
Water for Climate Pavilion (Program)
Important stuff especially given the food-energy-water nexus!
COP28 Joint Pavilion (Program)
By the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Financial Times and World Bank Group, you can expect stuff on climate finance, carbon pricing, data, and technology transfer, etc.
Just Transition Pavilion (Program)
(Livestream available) Set up by the International Labour Organisation, I’m really looking forward to the labour x climate programming.
Faith Pavilion (Program)
The first-ever Faith Pavilion is hosted by the Muslim Council of Elders in collaboration with a diverse group of partners. Oh and BTW - Pope Francis will come to the Faith Pavilion for an inaugural session on December 3, 2023.
Global South Pavilion (Program)
(Livestream available) Okay it says sustainable energy first which was last year’s Pavilion but it got renamed/refocussed to the SDG7 Global South Pavilion for discussing and showcasing how to unite global efforts on energy, climate and development.
Civil Society Hub (Program) - Green Zone
A Civil Societies Hub will host presentations, activations and discussion on the part civil societies play in climate change solutions.
(For the other side events - please check out this awesome resource compiled by Climes & The Sustainability Mafia)
Things I’m following
Carbon Brief (Read here)
My favourite guide to all things COP. My saviour for COP27, and now COP28. Follow them on X to stay up-to-date but their reporting is sublime. For example:
UNFCCC Meeting Schedule (Read here)
If you’re following the negotiations on-site, this is the one link you need to bookmark. Things can change daily so check frequently!
Climate Action Network ECO Newsletter Bulletin (Read here)
One of the best on-the-ground reporting by a civil society group where you get these leaflets. But they also have it online so no FOMO! Don’t miss CAN’s Fossil of the Day at 6PM too. Follow their socials to find out where.
ClimaTalk (Read here)
Honestly, civil society reigns supreme. All their resources are great. Check out ClimaTalk’s COP28 Factsheet that breaks down the processes and acronyms.
Singapore Youth for Climate Action (Read here)
Again, civil society comes through. Check out their COP cheatsheet which is essentially a great glossary. Follow their newsletter for update as well!
Key background reading
Firstly, plugging something I made :)
A little self promotion here but this is a very quick 1.5 min Global Stocktake (GST) video explainer I did with The Straits Times who also has a fully visual GST piece.
The infographic to read on COP28 (Website)
Putting my favourite resource at the start - a massive infographic on COP. John Lang makes AMAZING infographics on climate change and is a big source of inspiration for me. Please check his work out!
CNCS’s infographics on COP28 (Website)
I love infographics, can you tell? They also have a COP28 podcast series so check that out!
UNFCCC’s “About Us”, essentially (Website)
A big picture view of UNFCCC and COPs in general. They prepared this guide provide a starting point for newcomers to help them see the ‘big picture’ of the United Nations (UN) climate change regime, which is at the forefront of international action to combat climate change with its three major legal instruments – the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. It also covers key negotiation points like mitigation, adaptation and support.
International Climate Change Negotiations: Leveraging LoCAL Experience in Support of Climate Change Negotiations (Website)
This is an online course that gives you the download of UNFCCC’s history till today. Get started with understanding the history of the negotiation processes. From the UNFCCC structure, the history of environmental negotiations and then spotlighting the different milestones in different COPs. It also covers adaptation, mitigation and climate finance.
A library of all the documents relevant to COP28 released by the UN (Website)
This is a massive repository. Great if you have specific things you wanna delve into like the position of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) or the Adaptation Gap Report 2023, etc. You get the gist.
Mini Guide to COP for Observers (Website)
This was prepared for COP22 (omg, 6 years ago!) but still relevant nonetheless.
Key UNEP reports (Website)
There are SO MANY scientific reports on here (readable, though) to warn us about the state of the climate. I wonder why we aren’t doing anything about it.