What is COP and why is it important?
COP is the biggest annual conference on the climate crisis, and COP29 is being held this year in Baku, Azerbaijan from 11 – 22 November. In this article, we look at COP’s history, key achievements and what’s likely to be on the agenda in 2024.
What is COP and when did it begin?
COP stands for Conference of the Parties. It’s the biggest annual conference on the climate crisis, held by the United Nations. It sees representatives from hundreds of countries gather to agree actions to tackle the climate crisis, and this year it’s being held in Dubai.
The origins of COP go back to 1992, when 197 countries joined the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – a means to work together to limit global temperature increases that drive climate change.
The first COP (COP1) took place in Berlin in 1995, with the aim of agreeing how global temperatures would be limited, and strengthening the UNFCCC. Almost every year since then (apart from in 2020 due to Covid-19), countries have gathered to review progress compared with the latest climate science, and set new commitments on both preventing and adapting to the climate crisis.
What are some landmark COP commitments?
Some landmark commitments made during past COPs include:
- Kyoto Protocol (COP3, Kyoto 1997) – The Kyoto Protocol committed “industrialised nations and economies in transition to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets.” 192 countries are part of the Kyoto Protocol, but it only set legally binding emission targets for 37 industrialised countries and the EU. It ran until 2020, and has been superseded by the Paris Agreement.
- Paris Agreement (COP21, Paris 2015) – The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty, in which countries committed to limiting global heating to well below 2 degrees (and ideally 1.5 degrees) compared to pre-industrial levels.
- Glasgow Climate Pact (COP26, Glasgow 2021) – The Glasgow Climate Pact saw nations agree to reduce the gap between current emission reduction plans and the action needed to limit heating to 1.5 degrees. It was also the first time a COP agreement included commitments to phase down coal power and fossil fuel subsidies.
- Loss and damage fund (COP27, Sharm el-Sheikh, 2022) – Developing countries that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change often contribute the least to global emissions. Finally, a fund was agreed at COP27 to support the costs of rescuing and rebuilding infrastructure following extreme weather events.
- Transitioning away from fossil fuels (COP28, Dubai, 2023) – In 2023, countries agreed for the first time ever to include a reference to transitioning away from fossil fuels in the final COP texts.
“Droughts, storms, floods and wildfires are devastating lives and livelihoods across the globe [and] getting worse by the day. We need climate action on all fronts and we need it now.”
– António Guterres, UN secretary general
What are some criticisms of COP?
COPs have taken place almost every year for nearly three decades. And while some universal climate action has been achieved, the world is still on track for global temperature increases of over 2 degrees.
COP28 and COP29 have faced criticisms due to their location. The UAE and Azerbaijan are large producers of oil – a climate-damaging fossil fuel.
It goes without saying that getting oil and gas producers to make meaningful climate commitments is absolutely key to a successful transition to net zero – but these locations have been labelled by many as a form of greenwashing.
Other recent criticisms of COP, such as COP26 in Glasgow, was that it wasn’t as accessible to delegations and activists from poorer nations as it could be due to the high cost of travel and accommodation. It was also noted that most representatives were male, and that the voices of indigenous peoples who protect the majority of the world’s biodiversity were not given a big enough platform.
Why is COP still important?
Despite the actions delivered by COP feeling frustratingly slow, it remains the most significant occasion when representatives from 197 countries come together to attempt to agree meaningful action on the climate crisis.
The event enables representatives on the frontline of the climate crisis, such as the Alliance of Small Island States threatened by sea level rises, to directly address the world’s biggest emitters. Their arguments have been key to increasing funding for climate adaptation, and in agreeing a loss and damage fund for climate vulnerable nations. COP also serves as a focal point for mass demonstrations such as the International Day of Climate Action, which takes place mid-way through the conference. This brings together millions of protesters at events across the world, to demand urgent action against climate breakdown.
What can you do to support climate action?
Everyone can play some part in tackling the climate crisis, year-round. Here are some ways to take part:
Support climate campaigns
Good Energy partners Friends of the Earth, a veteran environmental charity that has played a vital role in campaigns such as getting fracking banned in the UK. Find out about their current campaigns, or join a local climate network to stand up for the planet from home.
As well as well-known charities, there are plenty of smaller organisations with specific environmental goals. Green New Deal Rising aims to get MPs on side to agree deals that decarbonise our economy. Good Law Project is taking Rishi Sunak’s government to court over its climate change commitments. Stop Cambo campaigns against our government’s recent approval of Rosebank oil field.
Vote for change
The UK political scene at the moment is…chaotic to say the least! Whenever you have an opportunity to vote, whether in local council or general elections, look into your candidates’ environmental policies. Use They Work for You to check past voting records, and Write to Them to easily contact your political representatives about the climate crisis.
Live by your values
Every tonne of carbon that can be saved matters. Which means that individual changes to help the climate are still important. Check out our other articles for plenty of ways to get started:
- How can I fight climate change?
- Ultimate 20 step guide to eco-friendly living
- How to build resilience to eco anxiety
