Fulfil Climate Pledge

Bini Dahal

Yet another year is coming to an end. And in a situation where the world is faced with rising global warming problems, the 28th Conference of Parties (COP) concluded recently in Dubai. Under the chairmanship of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the important summit took place from November 30 to December 12, 2023 where representatives from around 200 countries attended. The summit is said to be the first where countries agreed that fossil fuel was the main cause behind rising global warming. They have also come to an understanding to reduce the global consumption of fossil fuels considerably so as to prevent global warming. 

According to the United Nations (UN), fossil fuel, which includes coal, gas and oil, is considered to be the highest contributor to climate change. Apparently, such fuels are responsible for more than 75 per cent of global greenhouse emissions and nearly 90 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions. The figures themselves speak volumes of how dangerous fossil fuels are for the mankind. Countries from around the globe have already realised the need to limit the world temperature within the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

During COP28, the global stocktake was high on agenda. The global stocktake is mainly responsible for determining the world's progress towards climate change mitigation since the Paris Agreement of 2015. But sadly, we are way behind in this connection. A total of 118 nations have signed the pledge to double global energy efficiency and triple renewable energy capacity by 2023. These have to be transformed into actions as the climate situation is turning worse from bad for many countries.

An Island nation Tuvalu, located in Oceania, has just amended its constitution so that the country can facilitate the idea of a digital nation. The reason: the country is said to be on the verge of disappearance from the world map due to climate change effects. Tuvalu is just one of many island nations that are in a vulnerable state. For a nation full of mountains and rivers, Nepal too is not safe in this. The visit of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to the country before the summit, gave it prominence in the global arena. So, it was in COP28 where Nepal got to take centre stage and explain how climate change was affecting the Himalaya nation. 

When it comes to the growing climate change triggering global warming, developed countries must not be selfish and ignorant of the problems faced by the developing ones. The pleas of the vulnerable countries should be heard. As long as statements are not converted into implementable actions, it is quite impossible for us to keep the global temperature under the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold as agreed to in the Paris Agreement. And not being serious about and able to control the current situation means we are headed towards doom. What kind of world will be created for the future generations when the present generations themselves are unable to survive in a healthy and good world environment? 

Climate is interconnected and interwoven with the lives of people globally. Human activities have already caused excess damage to the environment and Mother Earth. Rapid and immediate actions are the only way to prevent more hazardous mishaps from happening. While a high-level meeting like that of COP can indeed give the world an overview of climate change, they will be futile if we do not take concrete steps at local, national, regional and global levels to deal with such a burning issue.