In a significant gathering of world leaders in October 2023, representatives from over 190 countries convened to discuss crucial updates to global climate agreements. The talks, centered around the Paris Agreement, are aimed at enhancing commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Key figures at the summit included UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, ‘We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator.’ The nations are under increasing pressure to meet their targets as a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicated that global temperature rise is projected to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030 if current trends continue. Additionally, the representatives discussed the importance of financial support for developing nations, with a proposed increase in climate financing from $100 billion to $200 billion by 2025. The event also featured a youth climate summit, where young climate activists criticized world leaders for inaction, with prominent activist Greta Thunberg stating, ‘We need more than promises; we need real change now.’ The outcomes of this conference are expected to feed into the upcoming COP28, scheduled for next year in Dubai.
New Developments in Global Climate Agreements as Nations Convene in 2023
