The annual UN climate negotiations (COP28) kick off this week, running from 
November 30th-December 12th in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This year’s summit
is one of the biggest moments for climate action accountability to date.

​​​​The UN will conclude its first-ever “Global Stocktake,” which assesses progress 
made since virtually all countries in the world adopted the historic Paris Agreement 
on climate change in 2015. We already know the world is far off track from 
achieving the Paris Agreement’s goals. Global temperatures continue to rise, while 
floods, droughts, wildfires and other impacts grow increasingly severe. How 
policymakers and others respond to the Global Stocktake at COP28 will 
help determine whether the world confronts the climate crisis — or 
continues to fall victim to it.

WRI’s experts are on the ground in Dubai. Throughout the next two weeks, they’ll 
provide insights into the latest developments at COP28 and offer expertise on 
what’s needed for a successful outcome. Check our COP28 Resource Hub regularly 
to learn more about the UN climate negotiations, attend an upcoming event, and 
stay in the loop on breaking news and analysis.

In the meantime, this newsletter offers a primer on the major issues at stake.

UN climate summits are key moments to tackle the world’s greatest existential 
threat. It’s the one time of the year when negotiators from all countries — as well as
leaders from business, government and civil society — come together to make 
meaningful progress in the global battle against climate change.

A number of issues are on the table at this year’s COP28 summit. WRI’s experts 
point to four essential areas for action: responding to the first “Global Stocktake” 
with bigger and bolder commitments; transforming Earth’s systems — from food 
and land use to energy to cities; building resilience to the increasingly severe 
impacts of climate change; and delivering climate finance to the world’s most 
vulnerable nations. Read more.