Rachel Gyabaah speaks on COP28

The recently concluded COP28, held in Dubai from December 1 to 13, brought together global leaders to address critical themes, with a specific focus on climate finance.

The conference’s Action Agenda, aligned with COP28 Presidency’s vision, emphasized the urgency of real economy actions for systematic change toward a 1.5-degree, resilient, nature-positive future. The event featured four pivotal cross-cutting themes: Technology and innovation, inclusion, frontline communities, and finance.

TrustAfrica, participated as a panelist in a side event, highlighting its impactful work on issues related to deforestation, land use, and climate impacts on agriculture, closely tied to the RS! Project.

The organization’s involvement was driven by a commitment to capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, and strategic engagement.

The COP28 discussions delved into critical topics, including Loss and Damage (L&D) Fund deliberations, urging equitable policies and calling for the revision of governance by the World Bank.

The conference explored climate finance partnerships to address the challenges posed by climate change.
TrustAfrica actively contributed in the Land Use segment, sharing insights on responsible mining and land reclamations.

The Food Security and Agriculture discussions were a standout, featuring the inaugural Food and Ag Day with over 200 events, emphasizing the need for adaptation and transformation in the face of climate challenges.

Key actions emanating from COP28 included the establishment of coalitions, a Carbon Management Challenge, a Hydrogen Declaration, and a Global Cooling Pledge, resulting in an impressive $83 billion in total climate finance.

A noteworthy outcome was the exclusion of a ‘phase-out’ from the agreement, despite significant support, attributed to lobbying by powerful oil-producing countries.

Reflecting on the experience, strategic meetings provided opportunities for collaboration with key partners.

The lessons learned underscored the importance of capitalization plans for pledges, prompting recommendations for TrustAfrica to focus on climate adaptation, integrate climate justice across thematic areas, and engage in collaborative progress reviews.

In summary, COP28 served as a platform for valuable experiences, lessons, and networking opportunities, reinforcing the collective urgency for decisive action in the pursuit of climate justice.