COP28 Reflections | Hanbit Lee
Hanbit Lee (2023 MSc Energy Systems) writes:
I recently travelled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where I joined the largest climate conference ever: COP28. Since its inception in 1992, the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) has been at the centre of global negotiations and policy-making to limit temperature rise and adapt to climate change impacts. This year’s COP was held in Expo City, where futuristic architecture emerges strikingly from the desert sands.
During the COP, I had the opportunity to reconnect with my former colleagues from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Institute for Advanced Systems Analysis (IIASA). IRENA spearheaded the landmark pledge to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. IIASA delivered actionable and evidence-based insights on their latest research in city transformation, air pollution, and artificial intelligence.
COP28 saw a significant presence of scholars from Oxford, including those from the Net Zero Institute, the Smith School, and two of my course mates who were part of the Ghanaian and Ukrainian delegations. It was also inspiring to see professors, from whom I had had the privilege of learning, lead debates and urge action. Professor Myles Allen, the scientist behind the term ‘Net Zero', took a central role in the debate on carbon capture and storage, highlighting its necessity in achieving our climate objectives.
The most memorable moment was attending the people's plenary. The words of Tom B K Goldtooth, the Executive Director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, were particularly resonant: "Climate change is a matter of life and death for indigenous people of all regions.” The panel emphasised the importance of recognising indigenous people’s rights for sustainable development and embracing indigenous knowledge and adaptation methods. As an energy systems modeller, I often get immersed in the theoretical aspects of climate models and projections, losing sight of the tangible, real-life stories of individuals and communities. This session was a powerful reminder of the continuous struggle for justice — voices that are often sidelined in global dialogues but echoed powerfully through the halls of the conference.
The spirit of COP28 was one of cautious optimism. While acknowledging the long road ahead, there was a palpable sense of momentum — a collective understanding that the time for decisive action is now. The two standout achievements were the global consensus on moving away from fossil fuels and the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund.
Yet, the conference had many shortcomings. Quantified global adaptation targets, crucial for countries in the global south, failed to reach a consensus. Moreover, the agreed language on transitioning from fossil fuels, although significant, fell short of the more decisive "phase-out" that many advocates had sought. The true measure of progress lies not in the declarations and pledges of the COP but in the tangible actions of governments, businesses, universities, and individuals. Returning with a renewed sense of purpose, I am reminded that, while individual efforts are crucial, collective action is essential for a transition of this magnitude. Beyond COP, we must unite, act, and deliver.
