COP28 Conclusions: We All Must Work Together

In mid-December 2023, the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) wrapped up,  closing with one key takeaway: We all need to do far more to successfully mitigate climate change and succeed with sustainability goals. Many objectives and avenues were discussed, but this main need for collaboration was woven throughout.

FCCC Is a Global Effort 

The COP began meeting and making climate-informed decisions at the first FCCC in March of 1995 in Berlin, Germany. Since then, this conference has met every year to discuss climate threats, analyze challenges to progress, celebrate big wins, and set sustainability goals. As the threat of climate change has continued to grow, these UNFCCC events have become even more urgent.

This year, COP28 was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A record 84,000 journalists, students, scientists, government officials, business executives, lobbyists, and more met to discuss the future of the planet and have their voice heard in negotiations and goal planning.

COP28: Conclusions

At the event, the following points were discussed, among others:

• A total elimination—not just a gentle phasing out—of fossil fuels like oil and gas must cease if we are to meet our goals. More than 190 governments approved a ground-breaking agreement to transition away from fossil fuels entirely by 2050.
• Widespread use of sustainable technologies is necessary—and this innovation creates white space for the innovation necessary to revamp infrastructure in support of green initiatives. Nuclear energy was discussed as a viable option to curb emissions, and over 120 countries avowed to triple generation capacity of renewable energy by 2030.
• Many organizations and governments, as well as the collective world, are currently not on track to meet previously-set climate goals, including the Paris Agreement.
• Every degree of climate warming matters—we are all responsible for halting (or reversing) climate change. To that end, businesses and governments need to minimize their impact on the planet, specifically as it relates to food systems and public health management.
• The most committed parties are making major investments in sustainability and economic growth. Ultimately, as sustainability continues to be a priority, every player must commit to greater financial spending.

The COP28 also created a “loss and damage fund” to be used to mitigate climate change-induced planetary harm. This is a step in the right direction, but there is still a lot of work to do. Many developing countries did not contribute to this fund, for example, and many conflicting opinions exist as to how the fund can be utilized properly.

Empowering Achievement, Together

At its core, each and every single one of these takeaways—as well as the event overall—had an underlying, unifying current: that working together is the only way to move forward to maximize sustainability and achieve goals. UN Secretary-General António Guterres summed it up as: “In a fractured and divided world, COP28 can show that multilateralism remains our best hope to tackle global challenges.”

This collaboration can mean:

• Working as a global community toward more eco-friendly practices for the benefit of all
• Entering agreements with other like-minded organizations and agencies to show commitment to sustainable best practices
• Demanding sustainability within procurement and supply chain operations
• Working only with sustainability-minded partners, ones that accentuate your programs instead of detracting from them
• Knowledge-sharing with support organizations and other peers to ensure all are equipped to implement eco-friendly changes
• Prioritizing the use of staff and on-site support personnel who can take you further toward your goals

Only when we are all working together will we be able to tackle a problem so large and complex as global climate change.

Sustainability Partnerships for Good

Not sure where to start? Think small. Starting small will help you gain momentum and enable long-term, impactful goal achievement. Some of these small acts can include an analysis of vendors and partners to find those committed to sustainability.

Triumvirate Environmental is one such partner—a collaborator that can bolster sustainability programs in your facilities and operations. Everything we do is dedicated to safety and sustainability—from our internal programs, to our partnership with My Green Lab, to our dedication to environmental support and innovation towards future responsible disposal services. These enable us to have your back every step in your journey to eco-friendliness.

And when we say we’re partnering with you—we mean it. Our environmental specialists and professional services teams fully embed on your site, helping you with any and all of your environmental, health, safety, and sustainability (EHSS) needs. Interested in learning more about partnering with us? Contact us today.