@Green November/December 2024 | Page 2

@ green | November-December . 2024

@ AGROBiz says ...

EACH YEAR , the world gathers at COP climate summits to address global emissions . Yet a striking irony emerged : the event ’ s carbon footprint often contradicted its purpose .

COP28 , held in Dubai in 2023 , was no exception and aimed to be the largest climate gathering to date while generating an unprecedented level of emissions .

Can a carbon-intensive event genuinely drive the reduction it champions ?

Consider the fuel burned to bring over 70,000 participants from across the globe . Private jets and motorcades ferried dignitaries and delegates thousands of miles , each journey adding to the emissions COP pledged to reduce .

At COP26 , over 130,000 tonnes of CO₂ were released , underscoring a dissonance at the heart of climate leadership . In our focus on achieving “ neutrality ”, are we overlooking what these emissions truly signify ?

While the hosts often claimed “ carbon neutrality ” by purchasing offsets , were these credits effectively “ erasing ” emissions , or were they merely a convenient sleight of hand ?

Critics argued that offsets amounted to greenwashing , a practice where an organisation presents a misleading impression of its environmental practices .

In the case of COP28 , offsets were seen as offering an illusion of accountability . The organisers promised neutrality but provided few details , raising questions about whether pledges were replacing real progress .

The contradictions of COP have sparked a crucial debate . Could virtual summits , now a viable and significantly less carbon-intensive alternative , have achieved similar outcomes with a fraction of the environmental impact ?

This possibility offers a glimmer of hope in the quest for more effective solutions to combat climate change .

As COP29 in Azerbaijan approaches , critics voice scepticism , given the host country ’ s chequered environmental and human rights record .

However , observers urge that COP29 be addressed , as it could offer essential progress , with negotiators seeking a deal to compensate climate-vulnerable countries .

If the very design of COP is contributing to the problem it seeks to solve , what message does it send to the world ? Can an event that leaves a trail of emissions claim to lead by example ?

These are the questions that demand our attention and engagement in the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of climate summits .

Or , is it time to rethink how we approach these critical gatherings before their purpose becomes another casualty of climate contradiction ?

Perhaps it ’ s time to consider more sustainable alternatives , such as virtual summits or regional meetings , to reduce the carbon footprint of these events .

P . S .: The Olympics and the Fifa World Cup are every four years . Hint , hint !

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