Bristol’s inside take on COP28

Bristol climate experts have joined delegates from round the world at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The annual United Nations conference, running November 30 – December 12, brings world leaders together with scientists, diplomats and campaigners to thrash out binding pledges to tackle climate change.

Bristol’s mayor Marvin Rees is attending, despite previous criticism for taking environment damaging long-haul flights to participate in climate-related events.

Delegates from Bristol University’s Cabot Institute for the Environment are also attending in-person and online via COP’s first ever virtual conference option.

Dr Matt Palmer, an IPCC report lead author on sea level rise and ocean warming is in Dubai with Cabot Institute colleagues Dr Colin Nolden, hosting an official event on ramping up urban climate action, professor Pete Falloon, bringing together global farmers and scientists in an effort to accelerate food system change, and others

Dr Alix Dietzel, senior lecturer in climate justice, attended the first week to observe the Just Transition negotiation where countries debated the agreement to ensure sustainability measures include everyone fairly and equally.

Each diplomat has the power of veto, meaning if they don’t agree with a line of text it will be taken out. Alix sees pros and cons to this process.

“I don’t think we’ll ever see agreements being very radical or fast-paced enough,” she concedes. “But they are always moving forwards. You rarely see them take a step backwards.”

For meaningful action, though, Alix suggests cities can play a much more significant role.

“The most radical impactful change comes from much lower levels. You have to make sure people’s voices are represented, and at the global level that is much harder.

“At a city level people, communities and councillors know each other. There’s a mayor or council you can hold to account, and your local MP’s. It’s much more accessible and realistic for decision-making.”

This year for the first time there has been a high level meeting of city leaders organised by former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg, founder of the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. Marvin Rees attended.

“It’s important to spread best practice and learn from other cities. Those connections at a city level are super important, not just in the UK but round the world,” says Alix.

“Cities working together can be much more radical and try things that are scalable – like Bristol City Leap which is now being used as a model for other projects nationally.

“Our Just Transition declaration is unique to Bristol as well, and we can demonstrate that process to others.

“Cities can be innovative and, say, 50 cities working together can really make a difference. And they can out-pace the national government, which is great.”

Alix bumped into Ed Miliband while queueing for coffee at the summit and they discussed just transitions

Being on the ground at COP helps with relationship building and knowledge exchange.

“If Marvin makes a good connection with another city leader, it can definitely have benefits for Bristol,” says Alix.

“I think it’s completely unfair to criticise Marvin for flying to these meetings. Obviously it’s not ideal that we have to fly halfway round the world, but that is how the UN shared presidency system operates.

“He’s not flying in a private jet, he’s going on a commercial airliner with 500 other people. Relatively speaking those are pretty minor emissions.

“Nothing can replicate being able to meet people in person. Being here is really valuable, especially for leaders who can actually effect change.”

Alix took advantage herself when she spotted Ed Miliband, Labour MP for Doncaster North and shadow minister for climate change, in line for coffee.

“He took the time to come out the queue and chat with me,” she said. “He mentioned Marvin and Bristol City Leap, and said ‘Bristol must be a really great city to live in’.”

The climate conference is taking place in Dubai this year, which has sparked controversy as UAE is a petrol state and this year’s president Sultan Al Jaber, also chief executive of UAE state oil company Adnoc, has denied the link between fossil fuels and climate change, saying a phase-out would “take the world back into caves”

Conversely, sustainable development specialist Dr Katharina Richter, is observing negotiations online and says COP’s first foray into virtual conferencing is significant.

“It’s long overdue but a really welcome addition to COP proceedings,” she tells Bristol24/7.

“It increases transparency and participation around the world. It’s inclusive, enabling access for people with caring responsibilities and others who can’t travel.

“COPs are getting bigger. A virtual conference is a really good way to broaden participation.”

Katharina has observed discussions on a just energy transition which, she says, will need to involve an equitable global partnership that listens to the voices of those most affected by climate change.

Richer countries must provide technical assistance and greater, quicker access to finance to those countries struggling with climate-related loss and damage, while considering their own choices.

“We need to transform the extractive relationship between the Global North and Global South, especially as we are going to need more minerals for the kind of clean energy technology that places like Bristol are looking to scale up and invest in,” she says.

“We need to think seriously about the impacts of mining and consider technology transfers to countries where resources are extracted.”

A demonstration at the COP28 site in Dubai sums up the intention of the work around just transitions

Katharina will be watching the critical second week of negotiations closely.

“This year alone there have tragically been climate-related extreme weather events in Africa, droughts and flooding which have killed over 15,000 people,” she says.

“To prevent further loss of life it’s crucial that at COP28 they develop a clear pathway for developing countries to access that loss and damage financing. They need it now, not tomorrow.

“And countries must commit to phasing out fossil fuels. Stopping the burning of fossil fuels is absolutely the most active way to prevent further loss of life.”

All photos provided by Alix Dietzel.

This piece of independent journalism is supported by The Extra Mile and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.

Read next:

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• Bristol City Leap launches £1.5 million fund to energise local communities
• Bristol declares a just transition to net zero

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