Top COP Facts MASDAR

What is COP? COP stands for Conference of the Parties, which is an annual meeting of countries that have signed the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to address global warming.

What is the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)? The UNFCCC is a multilateral treaty formed in 1992 by states committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

What are greenhouse gases? Greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, trap heat on Earth. Human activity has increased GHG emissions, causing the planet to heat up.

What is net zero? Net zero means cutting GHG emissions so no more is added to the atmosphere. A key aim for COP28 will be to drive momentum on cutting emissions by 43 percent by 2030.

What is the Paris Agreement? The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty to limit climate change, adopted by 193 countries, plus the European Union, during COP21 in France in 2015.

What does the 1.5°C target mean? The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature rises to 2°C above preindustrial levels, while “pursuing efforts” to stay within 1.5°C, by the year 2100.

What is climate mitigation and adaptation? Climate mitigation means reducing the impact of climate change by cutting emissions. Climate adaptation is about preparing for and adjusting to the impact of climate change.

What is climate finance? Climate finance refers to funding for vulnerable communities so that they can prevent or cope with climate change. Progress on wealthy nations’ pledges to provide this assistance is likely to come under sharp scrutiny during COP28.

What do we mean by tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030? Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate and Chairman of Masdar, has repeatedly called for global renewable energy capacity to be tripled to 11, 000 GW by 2030 to ensure the Paris Agreement goals can be met.

What are Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)? NDCs are non-binding targets from individual countries to reduce emissions, which should be updated and made more ambitious every five years.

What is the Global Stocktake (GST)? The GST allows countries to assess progress made towards the Paris Agreement goals. The first global GST since the 2015 Paris Agreement will be held during COP28.