Stiell urges governments and negotiators to push for higher climate ambition at COP28

The 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) reaches a certain peak where leaders and negotiators push for more climate action.

Speaking at a media conference on Wednesday the UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell urges governments to give orders to their negotiators to achieve high climate ambition at COP28.

“Now all governments must give their negotiators clear marching orders: we need highest ambition, not point-scoring or lowest common denominator politics”. 

He said the win on Loss and Damage… gave this COP ‘a spring in its step’. But it is just a start.  

“Finance is the great enabler for climate action. The negotiations must put it front and center”.  

“We need enhanced transparency, and to deliver our promise to fund climate action across the world,” he said.  

Secretary Stiell announced that a draft text on Global Stock Take is on the table but described it as ‘a grab bag of wish lists and heavy on posturing’.   

He added the key now is to sort the wheat from the chaff.  If we want to save lives now and keep the 1.5 goal within reach, the highest ambition COP outcomes must stay front and center. 

Meanwhile the UN Climate Change will be working with Parties every step of the way, as the honest broker and convenor. 

It will make sure all countries have a seat at the table and can use their full voice. 

Meanwhile the Solomon Islands delegation to COP28 are currently negotiating for the best outcome for the country.

The Solomon Islands delegation is now involved in providing inputs in the best interests of Solomon Islands especially on financial mechanisms for loss and damage, the Global Stock Take, Climate Change and Adaptation mechanisms among others.

The delegation consists of government officials, NGOs, and Civil Society Organizations.

ENDS///

By Fredrick Kusu

This story was produced as part of the 2023 Climate Change Media Partnership fellowship organized by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security