What's COP and why does it matter?

What are the UN climate talks?

"COP," "the UN climate summit" and "the climate talks" are all names used to describe the same thing: an annual conference of nations hosted by the United Nations (UN).

The 2023 conference will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and will mark the 28th round of climate talks since they began, hence the name “COP28”. It's a chance for world leaders to negotiate the rules, guidelines and co-operation needed to tackle climate change and its impacts. The talks are made up of the main negotiating space, separate working groups, technical bodies and committees.

In addition to these formal activities, there are lots of events, announcements and speeches that happen which are organised by civil society organisations.

What are the climate talks good for?

The negotiations take centre stage at the talks. After all, they mark the most significant opportunity to secure global agreements and reign in the world's biggest polluters. We have a list of demands for the negotiations themselves, and during the talks we'll be keeping an eye on what happens. Find out more about how negotiations work and their impact by watching the fantastic Boiling Point YouTube series from the COP26 Coalition. 

But beyond the negotiations, there are also real opportunities to increase external pressure on governments. The talks usually coincide with significant civil society engagement, with demonstrations in the host city and mobilisations around the world shining a light on key issues that need action. 

This year, those demonstrations outside key events spaces and conferences won't be possible. 

The UAE has a record of human rights abuses and repression of citizens, and civic space is non-existent. Dissident voices, political opponents and activists are being repressed and silenced. Women, LGBTQIA+ people and migrant worker communities are being criminalised and denied their fundamental rights and freedom. The country also has a history of systematic torture, enforced disappearance and arbitrary arrest, with many prisoners of conscience still unjustly held.   

We mustn't let the regime brush over its human rights abuses just because it's hosting COP. As a movement, we must stand in solidarity with the victims of state repression in the UAE, and all over the world, including the UK. We must condemn the global crackdown on civic space and fundamental liberties. There can be no climate justice without human rights. Read on to find out how you can join the call for climate justice at COP and beyond.

The benefits of getting involved during COP

• Strengthen our movement and build the network. Coming together for mobilisations and events around COP gives us the chance to build skills, share learning and engage more people in the climate justice movement.   
• Create local, national and international connections. COPs are traditionally a space where movements from around the world meet and share their challenges. It’s a great chance to connect with people in our communities, across the country and internationally.  
• Get a better understanding of climate justice and international climate issues. COP is a great chance to change the way we think about climate action and ensure social justice is central to the approach, so that solutions benefit the hardest hit first. For more, see our guide to climate justice.
• Increased media attention and scrutiny of government. With heightened political, media and public attention on climate, we have a unique opportunity to secure wins for our campaigns and push the UK government to do more. For more on this, see the section on this page marked "What are we calling for?".

This isn't just about 2 weeks in the year, it's also about building power and securing wins before, during and after COP28. Ensuring we enter 2024 a stronger, more connected and more inspired movement.  This is where the real change happens. 

You can also join our webinar on 23 November to find out more about how you can get involved. 

What are we calling for?

The climate talks only work if all countries agree to do their bit, and the UK is failing to do its bit. 

The UK pledged that by 2030 it would have reduced its carbon emissions by two-thirds from 1990’s levels. The commitment was one of the key outcomes from previous climate talks, and just last year Prime Minister Rishi Sunak used COP27 to promise global leaders that the UK would meet this target. Since then, instead of introducing much-needed policies to cut emissions, he's reversed many existing climate policies. The PM is breaking his promise.   

The UK has huge historical responsibility for climate changing emissions. We must do our fair share. Not just on emissions reductions, but also on other issues like delivering crucial climate finance to help poorer countries deal with the impacts of climate change and transition to clean, renewable energy.   

We’re calling on the UK government to:  

• Write a new, comprehensive and fair climate plan to meet and exceed our 2030 target.  
• Commit to new and additional climate finance to support global emissions reductions from countries that have done the least to cause the climate crisis and reverse the recent reclassification of what the UK counts as International Climate Finance.    
• Support the set-up of the new Loss and Damage Funding Facility agreed at COP27 and commit to the UK paying its fair share of new finance into it, based on an assessment of need and considering the UK’s historical contribution to climate change. The new funding facility should be housed within a globally balanced and transparent body, not the World Bank.   
• Reduce the UK’s emissions at source rather than through offsetting or unproven carbon removal techniques.   

What can your group do?

Across the world, groups and communities will be taking part in a COP28 Global Day of Action on 9 December 2023. This'll be our chance to come together and demand climate justice from governments across the globe. Find out what events are happening near you by visiting the Climate Justice website.