Another year is about to end, but is still setting sobering climate records. Yet many nations’ resolve to pursue ambitious climate initiatives seems to be waning, or at least migrating in search of more pragmatic solutions. This webinar examined the COP forum’s conflicted role, the key issues at this year’s event, and Japan’s likely strategy.

Speakers:

Nobuo Tanaka, former head of the International Energy Agency (IEA)

and

Andrew DeWit, Professor of Energy Policy School of Economic Policy Studies, Rikkyo University, Tokyo

The United Nations Climate Change Conference prepared its 28th flagship event amid decidedly muted expectations and increasing climate angst. The host state, the UAE, is the world’s seventh-largest oil producer, and climate activists are skeptical about its clean energy ambitions. Geopolitical challenges and the precarious state of the global economy threaten the prospects for new initiatives to address climate change.

Skeptics now increasingly ask whether COP continues to be relevant, since so many promises made at previous meetings remain unfulfilled.

Still, the COP conference is the premier event on the climate and energy calendar and shapes the global conversation. But can it deliver more?

In this webinar we reviewed:

• Key issues on the agenda in the UAE

• Factors influencing deliberations and policy announcements

• Japan’s likely stance at the event

• Outlook for climate action beyond COP28