Almost a consensus among the participants: the COP28 in Dubai was marked by numerous contradictions. The country chosen to host a climate conference, led by the president of the state-owned oil giant of the United Arab Emirates, is just one of them.
For our CEO, Leonardo Letelier, the rush for change is urgent, but with little effective action. “One of our ambitious goals is to limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5 degrees, which we already have indications that we will not achieve in this decade,” he emphasizes.
The Brazil is considered indispensable in discussions about the climate. This is because it has the largest rainforest on the planet in its territory, as well as for its prominent position in international diplomacy with regard to issues of mitigation and adaptation from ecosystems and biodiversity and charges in relation to financing commitments undertaken by the Parties.
However, Brazil's accession to OPEC+, the extended group of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, was made by President Lula in the first days of the Conference. After many moves and questions, the Brazilian government emphasized that the country would have an observer role, not as a full member.
End of COP28: transition away from fossil fuels
After an unpromising draft, the presidency of the COP28 presented a new version of the agreement, approved in the last plenary session. For the first time in 30 years, the text includes the “transition to the end of fossil fuels”.
For many experts, the text's choice of words does not convey the urgency needed to contain climate change. Furthermore, the role of developed countries in the process is unclear. However, what is clear is that the oil era is coming to an end.
Beyond climate: agriculture, food systems and biodiversity
Despite the centrality of the discussion regarding the move away from fossil fuels, the decisions of the COP28 did not leave out important issues involving nature. On the contrary, there was progress in terms of aligning the connections between the climate and nature agenda.
For example, we saw historic progress with the “Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action”, signed by more than 158 countries, including Brazil, committing to include the issue of food systems in their climate goals by 2025.
Additionally, nature was recognized as an ally for climate mitigation and adaptation actions. The final recommendations highlight the importance of aligning the objectives of the Paris Agreement as Global Biodiversity Framework, based on the conservation, protection and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity.
'Brazilian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change'
A group of civil society organizations and social investors launched during the COP28 the 'Brazilian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change'. The document has 28 signatures from organizations active in the segment, mobilized by the Group of Institutes, Foundations and Companies (GIFE).
Sitawi is one of the signatories of this commitment and our Conservation and Climate Finance analyst, Heitor Dellasta, was present at the launch.
The commitment is structured around eight axes and includes measures aimed at:
- Education and learning
- Resource allocation
- Systemic vision
- Equity, active and financial funds
- Operations
- articulation, influence and advocacy
- Positioning and identity
- Transparency and learning.
“The main point they made was that this Commitment was signed by organizations from the Global North. The idea is to encourage more organizations in the Global South. To this end, they made correspondences with the international commitment, with some small modifications to bring it closer to the Brazilian reality,” highlights Heitor.
This is the first time that Sitawi has been institutionally present at UN climate conference. We hope that the connections, discussions and meetings we had there will yield positive and effective results. I would like to read our position on mechanisms for financing for climate issues? Read the briefing note on Carbon Markets and the Role of Sitawi.
