COP Summits Fail to Reach Significant Progress on Global Warming

In a disappointing turn of events, the latest Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) failed to deliver meaningful progress towards limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The December 2023 COP28, widely regarded as a make-or-break moment for countries' climate commitments, saw countries agree to contribute to a transition away from fossil fuels, a long-awaited but voluntary step in the right direction.

However, critics argue that the agreement falls short of what is needed, and the lack of significant action at the Novemer 2024 COP29 has reignited fears that world leaders are not taking the necessary steps to combat climate change. According to the UN, countries' current climate plans still put the world on track for around 2.6°C to 2.8°C of warming by 2100. However, experts suggest that if all net zero pledges were achieved, warming could drop to as low as 1.9°C.

While some countries, including Canada and New Zealand, hailed the COP28 agreement as a "step in the right direction," others expressed disappointment at what they saw as too weak a pledge. The criticism has raised questions about whether world leaders are truly committed to taking action on climate change.