Israel crisis casts a shadow on crucial climate meet in Dubai

The raging violence between Israeli forces and Hamas has cast a shadow on the upcoming COP28 climate summit where a consensus on reducing emissions by at least 43% in the next seven years to achieve the Paris Goal of keeping warming under 1.5°C is a key mandate.

- Jayashree Nandi

Amid security concerns over the venue for the summit being closer to the conflict zone, in UAE, COP28 officials have said they are focused on delivering the mandate of the negotiations. The officials also rejected security concerns, saying that "it will be one of the most attended COPS ever".

But experts aware of discussions in the run-up to the summit, due to be held in November-December, said the crisis in Israel-Gaza has led to uncertainty over consensus-building efforts and has reduced the room for resources.

"It's unclear how things are going to unfold. The conflict risks delaying crucial global efforts to combat climate change, especially the support needed by developing countries to green their economies and manage climate impacts. At a time when unified efforts and resources are desperately needed for climate action, they are instead being diverted due to the war, risking further global environmental consequences," said an independent observer who did not wish to be named.

The UAE COP28 team said it was "focusing on delivering COP28 mandate", while mentioning that the country expects to see de-escalation in violence, a stance not taken yet by western countries that back Israel in its retaliation of the terror attacks launched by Hamas. "We are engaging with partners; we are encouraging all parties to come together and that needs to be our focus. The UAE clearly believes that the international community will come together to de-escalate the situation," a senior UAE official said at a news briefing on Friday.

President of UAE, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also denounced the violence and the loss of lives, the official said.