COP28 outcome misses the mark on justice for the majority of the world

In response to the outcome of COP28, Oxfam International’s Climate Change Policy Lead Nafkote Dabi said:

“Everyone fighting against the global climate crisis has little to celebrate from this disappointing COP28. Its final outcome is grossly inadequate. Oil, coal and gas won again, but they had to struggle harder to do so and their era is nearing its end.

“COP28 was doubly disappointing because it put no money on the table to help poorer countries transition to renewable energies. And rich countries again reneged on their obligations to help people being hit by the worst impacts of climate breakdown, like those in the Horn of Africa who have recently lost everything from flooding, after an historic five-season drought and years of hunger.

“Poorer countries, and the poorest communities, are left facing more debt, worsening inequality, with less help, and more danger and hunger and deprivation. COP28 was miles away from the historic and ambitious outcome that was promised.”

Dana Stefov, Oxfam Canada lead on women’s rights and climate justice, added:

“If Canada wants to continue to have good faith negotiations and lead as a climate diplomat, we must end the duplicity. We must once again become a trusted global actor that backs up rhetoric with action. Canada must move more urgently and rapidly to phase out fossil fuels. We cannot accept an outcome that gives wealthy countries like Canada the same timelines and targets to phase out fossil fuels than those in the Global South.

“COP29 next year has a mandate to set a new international climate financing goal—it has the responsibility to fix the holes and distractions that led to a weak outcome at COP28. It is critical that Canada play a constructive role in these discussions. Similarly, COP28 set out only vague targets on how to adapt to climate change—these will need to be built upon in future COPs.

“In spite of these gaps, the outcome signals an end to the era of fossil fuels. As communities around the world continue to adapt and women, land defenders, human rights activists, young people and civil society continue to fight, Canada and other rich countries must live up to their responsibilities and take a big leap forward on fossil fuel phase-out and finance for adaptation and loss and damage”.

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Vita Sgardello
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