Conference of the Parties COP28 Climate Summit

COP28 is the United Nations Climate Change conference happening in the United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December 2023. It is the 28th meeting of the Conference of Parties on climate change.

What will happen at COP28? 

There will be discussions, presentations and negotiations across a wide range of topics involving people from governments, businesses, communities and faith-based organisations. Climate change affects many areas of our lives, such as health, trade, energy, transport, buildings, food, education, young people, land, and nature, and these themes will be discussed throughout the fortnight.

Cutting across all these themes, and the ultimate purpose of discussing these issues are four important outcomes:

• cutting emissions in order to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5oC

• making sure there is the money available to make the changes needed and to support countries already facing irreversible loss and damage

• putting nature, people, lives and livelihoods at the heart of climate action

• making sure everyone’s voices are included, especially those who are not usually heard

What will happen when?

1st & 2nd December: The conference starts with the World Climate Action Summit. Here, world leaders come together to discuss. What happens here sets the tone for the rest of the summit.

3rd – 10th December: There are several days covering various themes and topics such as those listed above.

11th – 12th December: The conference ends with two days of negotiations to come up with the final text of what has been agreed between all the parties. Everyone has to agree everything, so this part of the conference can get very tense, and negotiations often overrun.

Resources for Churches – What can we do?

We can pray:

There are various prayer resources produced by CAFOD for use in church services.

Join a silent vigil for COP28 in Lincoln, daily through the event from 12:00 – 1:00pm at Speakers Corner

Pray online daily with Green Christian at 8am. Register here

There is a “Prayer for COP28” at the bottom of this page. Please see here for further prayer resources.

We can raise awareness:

There are homilies on the diocesan website which support ministers to make links between the prophetic themes in our Advent Bible readings and the significance of COP28 today. Download them from here.

The Church of England and the Anglican Communion have produced informative guides to COP28 to support Christians around the world to understand the importance of these events, to raise awareness and to act locally.

Find out more about how to talk to friends, family, neighbours and colleagues about the climate emergency here: https://climateoutreach.org/britain-talks-climate/summary

We can talk to our MP:

The UK delegation will have a stronger platform to negotiate from if they know that people back in the UK want to see radical change and bold decision making. You could echo the things which the Anglican Communion is calling for:

• Phasing out fossil fuels.

• No new fossil fuel extraction or exploration projects.

• Funds to help countries adapt to the changing climate and commitment to the Loss and Damage fund.

There is a specific template for emailing your MP about the Loss and Damage fund here: https://makepolluterspay.co.uk/email-your-mp

Find out who your MP is and how to contact them here: https://www.theyworkforyou.com

A Prayer for the season of COP28 

God of blessings,  

the universe sings of your glory.  

Deepen our gratitude for all you have made  

and awaken in us a renewed commitment 

 to care for the earth and each other.  

Inspire world leaders at COP28,  

with openness to listen to those most affected by climate change  

and with courage to act urgently and wisely,  

so that our common home may be healed and restored  

and all people, and generations to come, may delight in it. Amen 

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