COP28 Achievements and Future Challenges
―Need for bigger reduction targets and accelerated implementation of concrete measures　―

The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November-December this year, and the final decision package, the “UAE Consensus,” was adopted with a unanimous vote.

Specific achievements included the announcement of the outcome of the Global Stocktake, which assesses the status of efforts worldwide to address climate change, and the establishment of a new “loss and damage” fund. The UAE Consensus (the final document) includes the targets of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, and talks about accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels.

Meanwhile, pledged contributions to the “loss and damage” fund only amount to around US$800 million, and no significant progress was made with providing financial support to developing countries for adaptation and mitigation. In addition, the UAE Consensus did not contain any clear statements about timelines for reducing coal-fired power generation.

In light of the achievements of COP28 and the issues still unaddressed, Japan and other countries will need to take the following actions:
1) Strengthen multifaceted support for developing countries:　Disasters caused by global warming are becoming more serious every year, making the provision of more assistance to developing countries vulnerable to climate change an urgent task. And support needs to go beyond just financial assistance. It must be multifaceted, encompassing disaster prevention technology transfer and human resource development.

2) Increase reduction targets and accelerate implementation of concrete measures:　It will be difficult to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement with the current targets of each country. Emission reduction targets will need to be increased based on the Global Stocktake.　In addition, noticeable delays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions are evident, necessitating that each country accelerate concrete measures such as expanding renewable energy and reducing fossil fuels to achieve their goals.

3) Tolerate diverse approaches:　Although the focus of discussion on climate change measures will shift to concrete measures in the future, international agreement on concrete measures will not be easily reached. Countries will need to explore decarbonization approaches that are appropriate for them, while leveraging international cooperation through coalitions of like-minded countries. And if a variety of approaches are allowed, it will also be necessary to establish a mechanism to evaluate and verify each country's efforts on an individual basis.

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