The COP28 negotiating team unveiled a bold draft urging nations to triple renewable energy capacity to 11,000 GW by 2030 and contemplate the gradual elimination of fossil fuels. India's input on sustainable living is included. The 24-page text, subject to updates, will likely spark contentious discussions, particularly on fossil fuel phase-out terms, involving India, China, and oil-producing nations.

Simon Stiell, the UN climate chief, urged countries on Wednesday to focus on ambitious measures rather than engaging in point scoring and "lowest common denominator politics" at the COP28 climate summit. Stiell emphasised the need for clear marching orders, stressing that the current proposals should signal the end of the fossil fuel era.

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As COP 28 approaches its midpoint, a landmark agreement involving nearly 200 nations aims to address climate impacts on vulnerable regions. Yet, uncertainties persist, especially regarding the global stocktake and the fate of fossil fuels. Stay informed through our Halfway Point Webinar and explore our COP 28 hub for expert analyses and daily negotiation reports.

During today's focused thematic agenda on multilevel action, urbanisation, and climate change, the Ministerial Plenary on Urbanisation and Climate Change saw diverse participation from Small Island Developing Countries (SIDCs), Less Developed, Developing, and Developed nations, emphasising an inclusive approach.

Discussions underscored the minimal contribution of LDCs and SIDCs to net greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting urbanisation as a primary climate change driver. Delegates stressed the need for private sector involvement and local-level implementation for effective climate mitigation. The session highlighted the universal acknowledgment of urbanisation's importance in climate change, showcasing various initiatives and emphasising the significance of localised climate finance for empowering urban development. The Brazilian minister encapsulated a critical sentiment, stating, "There is no Climate Justice without Urban Justice."

A session on scaling up finance for sustainable urbanisation underscored the role of innovative finance models, with blended finance integrating private sector investments deemed crucial for derisking and incentivising further investments in scaling urbanisation initiatives.
(Reporting by Sankalan Dey, CUTS International, Jaipur)