TRANSCRIPT
As the COP28 climate conference in Dubai continues, climate representatives from around the world have focused on finance and gender equity.
Climate justice organisation CARE has highlighted unequal gender representation at the climate negotiations as another barrier for women seeking to gain more access to climate finance.
UK based climate website Carbon Brief suggests women make up only 38 per cent of registered COP28 delegates.
Former United States Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, attended the summit, saying women play a major role in building a climate-resilient world.
“Women and girls disproportionately bear the burden of climactic events. They are more likely to be affected by natural disasters, and particularly by extreme heat. It's really clear that gender equality cannot any longer be an afterthought. Like, it'd be a nice a thing to add on what we're d oing on adaptation and mitigation - Well, let's let's figure out what to do about gender, because it has to be seen as it is, which is a central driving factor in whether or not we're going to meet our goals.”
Host nation the United Arab Emirates, backed by more than 60 countries, have launched an initiative aimed at achieving gender-responsive just transitions.
The partnership will produce better-quality data to support decision-making, target finance flows to the regions most impacted by climate change, and strengthen education and skills.
It will have a particular focus on women who are already suffering disproportionately as the planet warms.
Climate finance was prominantly discussed, with further investment pledges announced to address the gap between what is needed and the amounts so far on offer.
A report from the World Bank Group estimates emerging markets and developing countries will need $2.4 trillion a year in investment to cap emissions and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.
International Monetary Fund Manager Director, Kristalina Georgieva, says that's meant the role of the IMF has significantly changed.
“Today, we are systemically significant institution in the fight against climate change, because climate shocks are macro-critical, they affect macroeconomic and financial stability, and the opportunity of the green transition, is a pathway to green jobs and green growth. What it means for us at the IMF is that we now integrate climate considerations in our macro analysis - stress testing of the financial system in the data work we do at the IMF and of course in terms of financing.”
The United Arab Emirates has pledged $270 billion in green finance by 2030 through its banks.
Several development banks have also announced plans to increase their funding efforts, including by agreeing to pause debt repayments if a climate-related disaster hits.
Meanwhile, delegates have responded to comments by COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber after he suggested the world would be 'back into caves' if there was a phase-out of fossil fuels to allow for sustainable socio-economic development.
Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program, Inger Andersen, has rejected that assertion.
“I’m not living in a cave, that’s all I can say. I have a solar system and I’m hooking in to the Kenyan utility, which I do on a cloudy day. But the point is I think we can show that there are societies and economies that are vibrant, efficient, effective. Kenya is a middle-income country, and I could mention others. Think about Morocco, they made this huge investment in concentrated solar and solar towers and solar troughs. So there are some big leaning in. so I don’t expect that I’ll be living in a cave anytime soon.”
Mr al-Jaber has faced criticism since the beginning of the summit, with suggestions he has a conflict of interest or a lack of genuine commitment to the climate issue due to his role as head of his national oil company.
But he says he's been misinterpreted.
“I honestly think that there's some confusion out there and misrepresentation and misinterpretation. To address the question right, let me first introduce myself to you. I'm an engineer by background. It's the science and my respect to the science and my passion about the science, and it is about my conviction to the science that have enabled me to progress in my career. I am quite surprised with the constant and repeated attempts to undermine the work of the COP28 presidency.”
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