COP28:

About COP28

The climate crisis is intensifying and it’s touching every part of our lives. Global efforts to address climate change are more urgent than ever. That’s why the world is gathering at the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP).

COPs bring together the 198 countries that are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. Together, they work out how to address the global issue of climate change.

Australia is taking on the climate challenge in partnership with the global community.

COP28 is being held in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December 2023.

This year’s big issues

We expect COP28 to send a strong signal to spur global action on climate change. A key focus for COP28 is the Global Stocktake. This is the first big check-in of the world's progress towards meeting the Paris Agreement's collective temperature, adaptation and finance goals.

Under the Paris Agreement, countries are obliged to submit climate commitments called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which include emissions reduction targets. The next round of NDCs is due in 2025. This year’s Global Stocktake will help shape those commitments by showing how close (or far) we are from meeting the temperature goals and what we need to do to course correct. We expect a strong focus on energy transition, including the role of renewables.

Other major items for COP28 include deciding on a framework for tracking progress on the global goal of adaptation, and establishing new funding arrangements, including a fund, to help developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to climate impacts to respond to loss and damage.

Learn more about the Paris Agreement and our involvement

The Pavilion artwork

Resilience by Luritja artist Kayannie Denigan is the feature work of the Australian Pavilion at COP28.

‘This artwork has 2 key inspirations. I was firstly inspired by rivers as a lifeblood of this country but also the visual representation of the long and winding journey to tackle climate change. The second inspiration was Gur. Ngurra. Wir., the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Indigenous Artwork. I was inspired by the circular representation of Australia and sought to reflect this in my artwork with people and places at the centre of the design. Using this circular expression, I have then incorporated key elements that I feature in my My Country designs. These are people and places, bush flowers, plants (including seaweed), rock formations, fish and waterways.’ - Kayannie Denigan.

News

Read the latest COP28 news and announcements