air inside Dubai around 30°C this Thursday. A temperature that means “a pleasant winter chill” to locals and beyond scorching to foreigners. Even those who are used to the atmosphere of this big city now know that a different madness is happening. And after a busy week of events (and arguments), climate summit reaches its equator. Only one week left make a deal Halting the advance of the climate crisis and protecting the most vulnerable from its impacts. It’s too early to see what the final deal will be like, but for now Everything indicates that this could be something historical. Dubai could sign an important agreement to combat fossil fuels.
Sources close to the negotiations say, despite everything, Arab Emirates presidency plays a decisive role Leading the negotiations of this summit. For a week, representatives from almost 200 countries around the world have been working against the clock to move towards concrete agreements on mitigation (that is, reducing emissions) and adaptation (preparing cities, crops, and other human spaces to support). the progression of the climate crisis) and loss and damage (exploring how to help the major victims of climate chaos). Early drafts of the agreements and the famous ‘Global assessment’ show significant progress in these three areas. Although yes, there are those who define the text as follows: “too short, short and slippery” so it can make a real impact.
The summit faces many issues that need to be resolved in the final week of talks, but there are high hopes for a final agreement
All expectations are shaping up in the next few days. According to the calendar, this is Friday The final phase of negotiations must begin After this summit and next Tuesday, the 12th, the final Dubai agreement must be signed unanimously. Nothing is guaranteed right now.
EuropeFor example, it calls for further strengthening the language against fossil fuels and accelerating the energy transition. Meanwhile, like countries Saudi Arabia and India They are unhappy with the demand for rapid elimination of energy sources such as coal, oil and gas because they argue that: It means something “traumatic” for the economy. small islands threatened by rising sea levelsFor their part, they are pressing for compliance with agreements to cover losses and damages caused by the climate crisis in the regions most vulnerable to climate chaos.
city of contradictions
debate about How to deal with the climate crisis penetrates The approximately 500 hectare area occupied by the ‘Expo city’ facilities, A series of pavilions designed for a ‘universal exhibition’ of sorts, which were inaugurated a few years ago and are currently hosting this latest edition of the climate summit. But beyond the walls of this siege, the Emirati metropolis lives unaware of this debate. “The only thing that has changed since the beginning of the summit is this: There are more people, more traffic, and it’s harder to find places to eat in a restaurant,” explains a local who has confirmed firsthand the impact of the arrival of more than 100,000 people registered for this summit. “Here in Dubai, Sustainability is a ‘brand’ rather than a challenge. “This is something that is used to charge you for a more expensive coffee, but is not used to promote political and social debate,” he adds.
The arrival of summit attendees crashes the city, increases traffic, fills restaurants
And Dubai on its own A city full of contradictions. Also in the field of climate. For example, while there is a debate in Barcelona about whether it is ethical to open an ice rink during a drought, it has already become a tradition to open an ice rink in the desert city of Dubai at this time. slide on giant ice rinks. While Spain already has energy saving regulations in place to regulate the temperature of buildings, it is advisable to always carry a jacket in hot Dubai. can withstand freezing air breathed inside the facility. In much of Europe, in a place like Dubai, debate is raging over how much we should invest in rebuilding coastlines altered by the climate crisis. Luxury artificial islands are being built to gain ground from the sea.
Many (if not all) of these actions are unthinkable in other parts of the world, where the fight against the climate crisis is increasingly raising awareness and therefore influencing public policymaking. But still, despite everything, Dubai epicenter of climate hope. Especially at a time when climate summit negotiations are nearing their final stages and everything seems to indicate that an agreement can be reached, at least for now. An important agreement in the fight against climate chaos. Or at least that’s what’s rumored this Thursday, amidst the madness of a grand and contradictory Dubai. Only time will tell whether this summit will result in a truly hopeful message that goes beyond promises, or whether everything will turn to ashes.