Dated: 10/February/2024
Dear Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
Dhaka
I write to address the persistent and challenging issue of climate change, a global concern that continues to shape the international agenda. Understanding the intricacies of the phenomenon of climate change and exploring the efforts made by the United Nations (UN) to mitigate its impacts is crucial in fostering awareness and collective action. Climate change — driven largely by human activities — manifests in various ways, including rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. These changes pose significant threats to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human societies with rising sea levels, the displacement of communities and many other adverse outcomes, necessitating a comprehensive and coordinated global response.
Diverse steps have been taken to address the global climate change. But the United Nations has been at the forefront of global initiatives. The most notable endeavor is the Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, which aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2° Celsius and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Countries participating in the agreement committed to nationally determined contributions (NDCs), outlining their specific efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impacts. The COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference, held in Dubai in 2023, which gathered over 85,000 participants, including 150 Heads of State, laid the ground for a new era of implementing the Paris Agreement.
Notably, the Dubai COP28 concluded the inaugural ‘global stocktake’ under the Paris Agreement, revealing insufficient progress in addressing global climate change. Recognizing the urgency, countries reached a decision to accelerate action by 2030, emphasizing the need for faster transitions from fossil fuels to renewables like wind and solar power in their upcoming climate commitments. This pivotal conference also signifies a collective effort to address the shortcomings in global climate action and propel the world toward a more sustainable future. Given that the conclusions reached in the COP28, along with the commitments made in the Paris Agreement, are implemented, there will be beneficial outcomes on the global climate problem.
Despite promising international agreements, follow-up conferences and other efforts, many countries are not implementing climate pledges driven by several reasons. The lack of a strong commitment is one of the important causes. Among others, there are resource constraints including finance, on which the COP28 emphasized. Many countries struggle to meet their pledged emission reduction targets. Financing climate initiatives, particularly in developing nations, remains a significant hurdle that needs to be addressed for the intended outcomes of global efforts. Balancing economic development with environmental sustainability, an ongoing dilemma that requires nuanced solutions, can help many countries make significant impacts of global efforts.
While progress has been made in addressing climate change issues in different countries, there is also inadequate international cooperation on the global climate problem, though the United Nations, through initiatives like the Paris Agreement and COP meetings, plays a pivotal role in fostering international collaboration on climate change. Along with continued efforts, commitment and innovation, increased international cooperation and collaboration is essential to effectively tackle the challenges posed by climate change and secure a sustainable future for all.
Sincerely
Md Maruf Hasan
PhD Candidate
International Islamic University Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
Email:marufenglish021@gmail.com
DISCLAIMER: The views/opinions expressed are those of the LTE authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Magazine or its editorial team.
