DUBAI, United Arab Emirates ) – The world pumped 1.1 % more heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere this year than last year due to increased pollution from China and India, a team of scientists reported. The increase was noted on Tuesday at international climate talks, where global leaders are trying to cut emissions by 43 % by 2030. Instead, carbon pollution continues to rise, with 36.8 billion tonnes spilled into the air by 2023, double the annual amount 40 years ago, according to the Global Carbon Project, a group of international scientists who produce the gold standard for counting emissions. “It now seems inevitable that we will exceed the 1.5 (degrees Celsius, 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) target of the Paris Agreement, and leaders meeting at COP28 will need to agree on rapid reductions in fossil fuel emissions to maintain 2 ( degree Celsius, 3.6 degrees). Fahrenheit) target alive," said study lead author Pierre Friedlingstein of the University of Exeter. Limiting warming to 1.5 degrees is "just possible", but only barely with massive reductions in emissions, said Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change chairman Jim Skea. (SETH BORENSTEIN / AP, tíme.com)

Today not only marks the UN International Bank Day, it is also the fourth day of the COP28 summit in Dubai. With this in mind, the following table considers the topic of banking through an environmental lens and provides an overview of the carbon dioxide emissions of the largest banks in the world. According to the environmental reports on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions issued by the world's largest banks, the Agricultural Bank of China Limited produced more than two million tons of CO2 equivalent in 2022. It was followed by Industrial Commercial Bank of China Limited and China Construction Bank Corporation. As this infographic highlights, China occupied not only the first four places, but also the 11th and 14th places, with Postova sporiteľna v Chína Ltd. and Bank of Communications Co. Ltd. But the United States is also home to a number of huge banks with high carbon dioxide emissions. JPMorgan Chase reported the highest greenhouse gas emissions among non-Chinese banks at 961,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. (Anna Fleck)

Cop28 president Sultan Al Jaber has claimed there is "no science" to suggest a fossil fuel phase-out is needed to limit global warming to 1.5C, the Guardian and Center for Climate Reporting can reveal. Al Jaber also said that phasing out fossil fuels will not enable sustainable development "unless you want to take the world back to the caves". The comments were "incredibly disturbing" and "bordering on climate denial", the scientists said, and contradicted the position of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Al Jaber made the comments in blunt responses to questions from Mary Robinson, president of the Elders Group and former UN Special Envoy for Climate Change, during a live online event on November 21. In addition to leading Cop28 in Dubai, Al Jaber is also the chief executive of the UAE's state oil company Adnoc, which many observers see as a serious conflict of interest. (Damian Carrington and Ben Stockton)

Why is forest protection important for climate change? 

In addition to all the other benefits that forests provide, they help slow the pace of climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it. Critical global climate sinks, such as the Amazon rainforest, are dangerously close to a "tipping point" beyond which they will stop absorbing carbon and instead serve as sources of carbon emissions. As a global community, we cannot afford to lose these forests.

Can you briefly describe what GCF does and what its mission is? 

Founded 15 years ago by then-California Governor Schwarzenegger with governors from the US, Brazil and Indonesia, the GCF is now the largest subnational government network in the world, consisting of states, provinces and regions from 11 countries dedicated to promoting tropical conservation forests and sustainable development with low emissions.

We are working with the GCF working group to find ways to maintain tropical forests while creating benefits for people in these regions. Examples of this range from income-generating activities such as harvesting, processing, and marketing of para nuts, to ecotourism, to payment for ecosystem services and carbon market efforts that span entire states and provinces. (Yvaine Ye)

The drought data shows an "unprecedented emergency on a planetary scale," according to a report released as world leaders meet in Dubai at the annual COP28 climate summit to discuss the response to climate change.

The report warns that the "massive" impacts of human-caused drought are only beginning to be felt, with data showing that droughts are worsening around the world. The most affected is Asia, especially China and the Horn of Africa. Up to 85 % people affected by drought live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The report was released by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in collaboration with the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA). Africa's drought-related economic losses over the past 50 years are estimated at $70 billion. Meanwhile, Argentina's soybean crop is expected to fall by 44 % this year compared to the five-year average due to drought. This would be the lowest yield for the country since 1989 and would cause the country's GDP to fall by 3 % this year. (Disha Shetty)

Bill Gates, co-chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has asked scientists to develop innovative approaches to limit the effects of climate change on human health. Gates was speaking at the ongoing COP28 conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday. He said climate change affects health in multiple ways and its impact must not be underestimated. Gates said that according to the World Health Organization (WHO), climate change will lead to more than 5 million deaths worldwide. It's exciting to have a health-focused event at the COP, it makes a lot of sense because, after all, our climate work is about improving the human condition and the health that enables people to thrive, learn and fulfill their potential. which is the ultimate measure of whether we are reducing equity,” he said. “No one would be better off in a low-carbon world where we limit our interventions to reduce disease, hunger and death. "There are many reasons why climate affects health, vector-borne diseases are appearing in places where they never existed before. (BY JANEFRANCES CHIBUNDA)

Our planet records higher average temperatures every year, while 2023 will be the warmest in history . Ice caps are melting at an unprecedented rate. Fires have made the air dangerous in some regions, while in others floods regularly threaten to contaminate drinking water. In this context, more and more people are affected by disasters, climate-sensitive diseases and other health problems. Climate change is exacerbating some existing health threats and creating new public health challenges. According to the UN World Health Organization ( WHO ), if we take into account several health indicators, all over the world there will be an additional 250,000 deaths per year due to climate change in the coming decades.

The UN has historically recognized climate change as an existential threat to humanity since 1992. Until now, NATO has not kept pace with the UN, but has now taken proactive measures to directly address the climate crisis. Therefore, at the COP28 summit in Dubai, Alliance member states identified opportunities to decide on their strategic priorities in some new areas. Focus areas of technology and innovation could lead to advances in military capabilities and humanitarian aid, while a focus on frontline communities and financial aspects relate to the stability and resilience of regions most affected by climate change, which are often areas of strategic interest to NATO. To express this new approach, she published In June of last year, the Atlantic Alliance released its landmark "Climate Change and Security Impact Assessment". This comprehensive report points to the stark reality that climate change is likely not only to dramatically increase security risks, but to intensify as our planet continues to warm. The consequences threaten to usher in an era of mass migration, resource scarcity and political instability the likes of which we have not seen before. NATO member states are therefore beginning to mobilize their forces around the world, from the Estonian Air Force to the adaptation strategies of the California State Guard. (Maurizio Geri)

In the early hours of Friday morning in Dubai, a city surrounded by oil and gas power plants, a draft text appeared at Cop28 opening up the possibility of phasing out all fossil fuels.   Other options are to "phase out" all fossil fuels, focus purely on coal, or say nothing at all. The coin is in the air. The text is a response to the global assessment of progress in meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement. The proposal acknowledges that current policies have made some progress to avoid the worst-case scenarios of climate change, but notes "with considerable concern" that we are still not in line with the Paris Agreement targets of limiting warming to 2°C and reaching 1.5° CC   Mask wants "phase-out" removed from the text because it would "discriminate" against their economy. Presidency of Cop28 used language indicating a preference for the "phasing out" of fossil fuels. (Sebastian Rodriguez)

King Charles on Friday at the climate summit  COP28 warned that the world is "horribly off track" in meeting key climate targets. The climate champion king spoke of the need for urgent action to mitigate the climate emergency, saying "danger is no longer a distant risk". In his opening speech at World Climate Action Summit at COP28 , including Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that in 2050, "our grandchildren will not ask what we said, they will live with the consequences of what we did or did not do." The monarch told heads of state, prime ministers and business and climate delegates at Expo City Dubai that human activity is pushing nature into "dangerous, uncharted territory" and called for "nature positive" change.

Governments have collectively pledged more than $400 million to create a loss and damage fund for climate disaster victims.

On the first day of UN climate talks in Dubai, negotiators approved plans to launch the fund. There were measures resolved by the transitional committee during five demanding meetings last year. Cop28 president Sultan Al Jaber welcomed the decision as "historic" with a broad smile after watching delegates erupt in applause. "It sends a positive signal of dynamism to the world and our work here in Dubai," he added.

Initial promises

After the adoption of the text, several countries pledged contributions to the initial phase of the fund. Germany and Cop28 hosts the United Arab Emirates have pledged $100 million each, followed by the United Kingdom (£40 million or $50.5 million), the United States ($17.5 million) and Japan ($10 million). (Matteo Civillini)

The best way to stay up to date with COP28 is to download the official app. Use the app to manage, map and maximise your time at COP28. The UN Climate Change app is available in the Google (Android) and Apple (IOS) stores (smartphone or tablet) and is a great way to follow international climate action at any time, and especially now during COP28.

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Watch the live broadcast of the opening plenary session. The opening plenary session of COP28 set the stage as the UNFCCC and 198 Parties prepare for two weeks of intensive climate negotiations to ensure that COP28 UAE is a turning point for climate action.

Today was a historic milestone for climate action following the agreement to operationalise a loss and damage fund to help developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This was the first time a decision has been taken on Day 1 of any COP and continues to build momentum that we hope will enable us to achieve our shared goals over the next 12 days. The historic decision on loss and damage will allow Parties to focus on achieving the strongest possible response to the Global Inventory and ensuring tangible progress towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.

This fund will support billions of people, lives and livelihoods that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. I want to thank my team for all their hard work to make this possible on the first day of COP28. It shows that the world can unite, act and make a difference.”

– President of COP28 Dr. Sultan Al Jaber

Today has brought a welcome result in terms of restoring trust and helping the particularly vulnerable, but it is only the beginning of the climate action we need.

New COP. New president. New hope.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber was formally appointed as President of COP28 before the agenda for the rest of the conference was agreed and adopted. The agenda was informed by extensive, year-long hearings by the Presidency – spanning six continents and over 50 countries – and was informed by meetings and consultations with thousands of global leaders, organizations, partners, experts and stakeholders. The stage is now set. The world is demanding change. World leaders must now set the decisive course for a global stocktake. (co2news.sk)

28th conference ^UN on climate change (COP28) starts on 30 November in Dubai. The European Union will call on all Parties to take urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions this decade and to honour their commitments under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C. During COP28, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend the World Climate Action Summit. Together with the COP28 Presidency, she will also launch the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge, which aims to triple installed renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency measures by 2030. At COP28, Parties will review progress made towards achieving the Paris Agreement goals for the first time and define further action needed. European Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra will lead the EU negotiating team.

Ahead of this year's COP28 climate summit in Dubai, UN agencies have released several reports offering updates on global progress in curbing climate change.

Here are some of the most important findings:

Global greenhouse gas emissions rose by 1.2 percent from 2021 to 2022, reaching 57.4 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, according to a UN emissions gap report. If countries do not quickly plan sharp cuts, global temperatures will rise by almost 3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels this century, the agency said - far beyond the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit that scientists say would begin to trigger catastrophic consequences.  The report, released on November 20, compares countries' planned climate action with what is needed to meet global climate goals. It found that these pledges have set the world on a path to a temperature increase of 2.5 to 2.9 degrees Celsius . Even under the most optimistic emissions scenario, it found there was only a 14 percent chance of keeping warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius – adding to the growing body of scientific evidence suggesting that the central goal of the 2015 Paris Agreement is out of reach. (Reuters/week)