The 2nd day of COP28 was marked by speeches from world leaders committed to the crucial mission of discussing the future of the environment and seeking effective strategies to avert an imminent global climate catastrophe.
After all, 2023 is being considered the hottest year in 125,000 years, according to data from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
This warning highlights the importance of ongoing discussions about the need for immediate and concrete actions in the face of increasing environmental challenges.
With emblematic speeches, leaders from around the world positioned themselves against fossil fuels, considered the main polluters of the planet.
The participation of the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who spoke today at the opening ceremony of this 2nd day of COP28, gained even more prominence after the notable absences of the Presidents of the United States, Joe Biden, and China, Xi Jinping; countries that cause the most pollution globally.
Follow Grupo Myr‘s exclusive coverage on this 2nd day of the Climate Summit!
President Lula Speaks on the 2nd Day of COP28 and Calls for Concrete Actions
Today, December 1st, in addition to speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2nd day of COP28, President Lula also made another speech during the plenary session, where world leaders had 3 minutes to speak.
President Lula criticized profiting from wars and demanded concrete actions in relation to the climate emergency. Describing how climate impact affects Brazil, Lula emphasized:
“Humanity suffers from increasingly extreme and frequent droughts, floods, and heatwaves. In Northern Brazil, the Amazon is experiencing one of the most tragic droughts in its history. In the South, storms and cyclones leave an unprecedented trail of destruction and death. Science and reality show us that this time the bill has come earlier. The planet is no longer waiting to charge the next generation.”
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
(President of Brazil)
The President also advocated for the need to have an economy less dependent on fossil fuels, highlighting:
“The planet is tired of unfulfilled climate agreements. Of neglected carbon emission reduction targets. Of financial aid to poor countries that never arrives. Of eloquent and empty speeches. We need concrete actions. How many world leaders are truly committed to saving the planet?”
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
(President of Brazil)
Lula committed to reducing carbon emissions by 48% by 2025 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
With the ambition to become one of the global leaders in combating global warming, Brazil today announced investments of R$ 21 billion towards a sustainable economy.
Indigenous Leader Isabel Prestes da Fonseca
Following Lula’s speech, Brazilian indigenous leader Isabel Prestes da Fonseca addressed the world leaders about the importance of preserving indigenous peoples and the biodiversity of the Amazon.
President Lula’s Bilateral Meetings
This Friday, Lula met with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, the President of the European Commission, Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, and the Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres.
And as reported by the press, the commitment of donations from the United Kingdom to the Amazon Fund will be formalized this Saturday, 02/12, with President Lula at COP28.
President of the United Arab Emirates Announces a New Fund on the 2nd Day of COP28
Today, the president of the United Arab Emirates announced a new fund during the opening speech of the summit.
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan revealed a commitment of $30 billion for global climate solutions, aiming at reducing the funding gap for poorer countries regarding climate issues. It is expected to reach $250 billion by 2030.
King Charles Also Spoke on the 2nd Day of COP28
The monarch of the United Kingdom, King Charles III, known for his environmental activism, also spoke today, expressing his hope that COP28 will be “a critical turning point for genuine transformational action”.
“Some important progress has been made, but I am deeply concerned that we continue to be so terribly off course. We are taking the natural world beyond balanced norms and limits and into dangerous and unknown territory.”
(King Charles III, of the United Kingdom)
UN Secretary-General António Guterres Sends a Direct Message to Leaders of Fossil Fuel Companies Present at the Event
UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the rapid operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, highlighting contributions exceeding $400 million on the first day of the event to assist vulnerable countries in climate change.
Moreover, Guterres emphasized the need to not only reduce, but to completely halt the use of oil, coal, and gas. He urged fossil fuel companies present at COP28 to invest in clean energies, abandoning outdated business models.
“Don’t double down on an obsolete business model. Use your resources to invest in clean energies.”
(António Guterres, UN Secretary-General)
UN Publication Indicates the 1st Draft of a Final Agreement at COP28
On this 2nd day of COP28, the UN published a possible draft of the final agreement of COP28, which will continue until December 12th, highlighting “building blocks” for a political outcome, including options to define what role fossil fuels will play in the future.
Some options include:
- Inclusion of commitments to reduce or phase out the use of oil and gas;
- Complete abandonment of coal;
- Tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.
In contrast, since the first day of COP28, the United Arab Emirates have been pressuring countries to work together with oil companies to reach a middle ground.
Global Stocktake
Today marked the beginning of the first of three high-level events of the “Global Stocktake”, focused on adaptation to climate change.
During the event, delegates discussed how the outcomes of the stocktake could strengthen global efforts for more effective adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Learn more about this topic by clicking here.
Finance Minister Fernando Haddad Presents an Ecological Transformation Plan
The Brazilian Finance Minister, Fernando Haddad, presented today at COP28 the Ecological Transformation Plan, emphasizing the need for $1 trillion over 10 years to realize the project.
In the presentation, Haddad highlighted the approval of sustainable initiatives in Congress and, in particular, the reduction of deforestation in the Amazon this year.
Brazil Pavilion
At the Brazil Pavilion, there was a side event of the OPCC (Parliamentary Observatory on Climate Change and Just Transition) at COP28: “The Leadership of Latin American and Caribbean Parliamentarians in Building a New Model of Green and Inclusive Development”.
COP Dialogues: Check out Grupo Myr’s Review of the 2nd Day of the Climate Summit!
Directly from Dubai, our director Thiago Metzker today spoke with Braulio Díaz Castro, Manager of Institutional Relations and Advocacy at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, an international entity representing local and regional governments at the UN.
Together, Thiago and Braulio reviewed the 2nd day of the Climate Summit! Watch this important conversation now.
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