SAJIDA Foundation participated at a round-table discussion session, titled 'COP 28: Articulating CSOs Position Together' held at the BRAC Centre on November 18, 2023, ahead of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28) to be held at Dubai from November 30 till December 12.

Organised by the Centre for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), the Pre-COP28 event was aimed at fostering a critical understanding of key issues at COP28 so as to ensure a well-articulated stance based on human rights and climate justice principles. SAJIDA Foundation’s Climate Change Programme took part in the session.

The session began with a look back at themes from past COP sessions. A presentation on past COPs' discussions on Mitigation, Adaptation, Loss and Damage, and Climate Finance were shared.

The session then delved into the major demands for Bangladesh at COP28 in these areas.

On finance, speakers stressed on strong advocacy for a global definition of climate finance while focussing on a just transition from grant-based public finance. Emphasis was placed on the obligatory nature of climate finance, addressing debt burdens, and defining the scope and timeframe for the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

For mitigation, the speakers from various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), who will be taking part in COP28 representing Bangladesh, urged for proper alignment of NDC targets with the 1.5-degree goal, continuation of the mitigation work programme, and a strong emphasis on phasing out fossil fuels.

Under adaptation, the speakers spoke about the need for consistent financing in alignment with the global goal on adaptation matrix, operationalising a human-centric approach, seeking flexible frameworks, and requiring finance and capacity building.

As a part of Loss and Damage, the speakers demanded clearer definitions against humanitarian assistance and a 100% grant for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). They also discussed the urgency for sovereign guidelines for Loss and Damage (LnD), and dedicated sections in the global stocktake with human rights-based prescriptions.

Speakers highlighted the critical role of side events at COP28 in supporting those directly participating in the main COP negotiation. While not everyone can be present in the main negotiation, presenting case studies at side events will provide strong support and help articulate positions during negotiations, they felt.

SAJIDA Foundation aims to leverage the insights they have gained from this discussion to actively contribute to COP28. At the conference, SAJIDA will be participating in side events, presenting case studies, and engaging in discussions that align with the organisation’s mission and commitment to climate justice.