COP28 was the 28th annual United Nations (UN) climate meeting, where governments discuss how to limit and prepare for future climate change.

The summit took place in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It ran from 30 November to 13 December 2023. Delegations from around 200 governments attended the COP as well as many more representing business, civil society, lobbyists and other groups. In all nearly 100,000 people attended making it the biggest COP on record.

COP28 came at a crucial time for the key target to limit long-term global temperature rises to 1.5C. However, the COP 28 agreement reached at its close doesn't compel countries to take action, and no timescale is specified. The agreement also includes global targets to triple the capacity of renewable energy like wind and solar power, and to double the rate of energy efficiency improvements, both by 2030.

It also calls on countries to accelerate low- and zero-emission technologies like carbon capture and storage.

The COP28 agreement highlights "the growing gap" between the needs of developing countries and the money provided to cut emissions - but there is no requirement for developed countries to provide more support.

There is much to unpack from the most recent COP and we have three eminently qualified speakers who attended the COP and who will provide their insights and perspectives on what COP 28 achieved, where it came up short and what needs to happen next.

Meet the Speakers:

Simon R Molesworth AO KC LMEIANZ FEIANZ CEnvP

Molesworth is EIANZ’s International Affairs Ambassador, in which role he represented the Institute at COP28 in Dubai. Over the last 21 years, Molesworth has focused on legal and policy responses to climate change. As Chair of the International National Trusts Organisation, 2005-2015, Molesworth led INTO’s work on Climate Change, including being Head of INTO’s annual UNFCCC accredited delegation to multiple UNFCCC COPs. Molesworth was the primary author of The Victoria Declaration on the Implications for Cultural Sustainability of Climate Change adopted in Victoria, Canada, in 2011, endorsed by organisations representing some 10 million members. Since July 2021, Molesworth has been an active member of the EIANZ’s Climate Change Specialist Interest Section. He is the Legal Member of the Heritage Council of Victoria which has been preparing a Climate Change Action Plan, the first part of which formulated Principles on the Protection of Cultural Heritage from Climate Change Impacts.

Todd Croad | Climate Change specialist at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Todd is a climate change specialist at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He was New Zealand’s deputy head of delegation at COP28 – leading negotiations on ambition and the first global stocktake under the Paris Agreement.

Previously Todd was New Zealand’s lead on Article 6 (carbon markets and non-market approaches), and worked for the Ministry for the Environment on carbon markets, modelling, emissions trading, and emission-intensive industries.

Daniella Conser | COP 28 Delegate, Australian Youth for International Climate Engagement

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