COP28 in the news

There are lots of stories in the news right now about the happenings of COP28 in Dubai. Here are five that caught our attention today!

1) Over 40 million health professionals demand bold health and climate action at COP283 December 2023, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A group of doctors and nurses gather to speak up to say that ‘the climate crisis is a health crisis’, at the United Nations climate summit COP28. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

On the first-ever Health Day at a COP, more than 40 million health professionals from around the globe joined the call to action by the World Health Organization (WHO) and civil society organizations, to prioritize health in climate negotiations at COP28. The ongoing climate crisis has significantly increased the risk of life-threatening diseases such as cholera, malaria and dengue.

2) 5 reasons why COP28, the UN climate talks, are worth your attention

The Conference of Parties process gives every nation in the world, whether rich or poor, large or small, a seat at the table to discuss how climate change is impacting them and how they believe the world should confront it. They also give a forum to people of all walks of life to exchange ideas, from young environmentalists and Indigenous activists to bankers and leaders of many industries. Countries are encouraged and expected to update and “raise ambition” in their plans, creating a level of peer pressure for nations to keep promises.

3) COP28: UN climate talks go big on ending fossil fuels4 December 2023, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A woman holds a banner reading ‘Phase out fossil fuels now’, as people speak up at the United Nations climate summit COP28 to end financing of the fossil fuel industry, as a step towards achieving sustainability and address the climate crisis. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

Countries and oil companies at the UN climate talks have promised to make major progress in tackling global warming in a large new energy pledge. 50 oil and gas companies pledged to stop adding to planet-warming gases by 2050. That only covers emissions from production, not the burning of fossil fuels and critics said it would not meaningfully tackle climate change.

4) Hillary Clinton at COP28 climate talks calls for insurance reform

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Sunday for reform of the insurance sector, where companies are increasingly withdrawing assistance against climate shocks. Lower-income countries and workers in nations most affected by climate change are struggling to access insurance to help protect them from economic shocks.

5) Indigenous Leaders Urge COP28 Negotiators to Focus on Preventing Loss and Damage and Drastically Reducing Emissions4 December 2023, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Representatives of the Pareci people – a name for Native American tribes in Mato Grosso, Brazil, pictured at the United Nations climate summit COP28, where they have arrived to speak to issues of deforestation, and protection of their native lands. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert

As world leaders gather in Dubai for the 28th United Nations climate talks, Indigenous representatives from seven socio-cultural regions are calling for a moratorium on “false solutions” that ignore the roots of the climate crisis and urging a drastic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.