Climate and Transitions Climate Diplomacy Behind Closed Doors*
A couple of months ago, COP 28 convened in Dubai and, against all expectations, delivered an unprecedented consensus signaling an acceleration in phasing out fossil fuels. Regarded by some as a triumph against the odds and by others as a mixed blessing, the ‘Dubai Consensus,’ driven by an oil-rich monarchy, embodies both a notable achievement and a tangible letdown. However, isn’t this the case with all climate and environmental agreements?
On November 17th 2023, for the first time, global temperatures exceeded 2°C above pre-industrial seasonal averages. This threshold was one the international community pledged not to reach, let alone surpass, with the adoption of the Paris Agreement on December 12th, 2015. Specifically, the Paris Agreement aims to keep “the increase in the global average temperature well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.” This goal now seems out of reach.
Pierre Henri Guignard
France
France
After studying Economics and Public Affairs,
he joined the Foreign Affairs ministry and served in Peru, Mexico, Canada and the United States and, later..