Environmental Issues Take Focus as Global Summits Approach

Global warming, disappearing species, desertification, and plastic pollution are all pressing environmental issues that will take centre stage in the coming months as the United Nations prepares to host four major conferences aimed at addressing these global challenges.

Biodiversity:
The first of these events is the "Conference of the Parties" (COP16) on biodiversity, scheduled in Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November. This biennial gathering will assess the progress made since the 2022 summit in Montreal, where countries pledged to protect 30% of the planet’s biodiversity by 2030. Colombia, known for hosting nearly 10% of the world's biodiversity, is expected to showcase its conservation efforts, which could serve as a model for other nations.

Climate Change:
Next is COP29, the most significant climate change summit, taking place in Azerbaijan from 11 to 22 November. While last year’s summit in Dubai marked a historic commitment to move away from fossil fuels, this year's focus will be on securing climate finance for developing nations. Wealthy countries are under pressure to exceed the $100 billion annual climate funding target set in 2009. However, disagreements remain on how much money is needed, who should receive it, and what form it should take.

Desertification:
The least publicised of the summits is COP16 on desertification, set for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2 to 13 December. This conference will address the growing threat of fertile land turning into desert due to climate change and human activities. Experts hope the talks will result in solutions to restore 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land by 2030.

Plastic Pollution:
Finally, 175 nations will meet in South Korea on 25 November to finalise a treaty on plastic pollution. This landmark agreement aims to tackle the global plastic waste crisis. While some countries advocate limiting plastic production, others, particularly oil and gas producers, prefer a focus on recycling efforts. Environmental groups like Greenpeace are urging nations to prioritise reducing plastic production, warning that there is no time to waste on ineffective solutions.