Najam Critiques COP28

Adil Najam, Dean Emeritus and Professor at Boston University’s Pardee School of Global Studies and President of WWF-International, was featured in a two-page cover story in The Express Tribune, sharing insights on the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) and the future of fossil fuels and climate politics. Reflecting on COP28, Najam expressed a sense of disappointment, highlighting the lack of substantial progress over the 28-year history of the conference. In a long form interview, he stated,

“What consistently strikes me is the fact that it’s the 28th iteration. It’s been 28 years, and it hasn’t yielded substantial results — that’s what 28 means.”

Najam criticized the COP’s lack of ambition, noting that while some progress is made, it falls short of addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change. He emphasized the need for more decisive action and criticized the tendency to lower ambitions over the years. Regarding the contrasting opinions on COP28, Najam highlighted the two prevailing logics—optimistic views that progress is gradual and pessimistic views that negotiations present a take-it-or-leave-it scenario.

Expressing skepticism about COP commitments, Najam stated,

“We shouldn’t take them seriously. The COPs have perfected the art of substituting promises for action.”

He urged for a focus on tangible actions rather than grand promises and emphasized the role of scholars, civil society, academia, and journalists in holding countries accountable for their commitments.

Addressing the global mistrust on climate issues, Najam pointed out that distrust exists not only between the global south and north but also within regions, between rich and poor, and among different age groups. He advocated evaluating the success or failure of COPs based on tangible actions and ambitious goals rather than promises.

On the location of COP29 in a gas-exporting country with a non-democratic regime, Najam urged judgment based on actions and ambition rather than preconceived notions. He emphasized the need to shift perspectives, with countries like Pakistan taking meaningful actions independently rather than solely relying on external aid.

Najam also touched on the widening of COP topics to address the entirety of nature and the overall impact on nature. While supporting the integration of climate and nature, he cautioned against distraction from core negotiation points and emphasized the urgency of addressing existing issues.

In the interview, Najam expressed concerns about the insufficient Loss and Damage fund, questioning its adequacy and highlighting disparities between funds allocated and actual damages. He called for a redefinition of climate finance to encompass the direct contributions of the poorest individuals and countries affected by climate impacts.

Professor Adil Najam’s insights provide a critical perspective on COP28, emphasizing the need for greater ambition, tangible actions, and a shift in perspectives to address the pressing challenges of climate change and can be accessed in full here.