Promoting Human Rights in Climate Action: Report from the Dubai Climate Conference (COP28)

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai, focusing on the integration of human rights in climate policies. The report argues that the conference was undermined by the host country's restrictive civic space and corporate capture by the fossil fuel industry, leading to outcomes on fossil fuel transitions and the Loss and Damage Fund that are insufficient and flawed.

• COP28 was characterized by significant restrictions on civic space and freedom of expression. The host nation, the United Arab Emirates, is described as a repressive state where independent voices were barred and UN officials restricted observers from speaking on specific human rights issues, such as those in Gaza and the Gulf region. This environment created a "chilling effect" where observers self-censored due to evolving rules and a lack of transparency regarding the host country agreement.
• The report highlights an unprecedented level of corporate capture at COP28, noting that over 2,000 fossil fuel lobbyists were granted free access to promote industry interests. This influence is evidenced by the COP President's refusal to step down as CEO of the national oil company and the inclusion of "false solutions" in the Global Stocktake decision, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and "transitional fuels."
• The Global Stocktake (GST) decision is criticized for failing to commit Parties to a full fossil fuel phaseout. While it is the first decision to acknowledge the need to "transition away from fossil fuels," the report argues it is insufficient because it only "calls on" Parties to do so, limits the transition to energy systems (ignoring plastics and petrochemicals), and promotes unproven technofixes like CCS.
• The operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) is viewed as flawed due to its temporary hosting by the World Bank and its voluntary funding nature. As of February 1, 2024, pledges totaled USD 661.39 million, which the report describes as inadequate compared to the hundreds of billions needed annually. Furthermore, the fund's governing instrument lacks explicit references to human rights and an independent grievance mechanism.
• Negotiations on carbon markets under Article 6.2 and 6.4 remained unresolved at COP28, which the report considers a positive outcome. The proposed rules were seen as threats to human rights and the rights of Indigenous Peoples, potentially allowing for land grabs and lacking transparency or independent grievance mechanisms.
• The Just Transition work programme (JTWP) was adopted at COP28, marking the first time a COP decision explicitly recognized the importance of labor rights in climate action. However, the report notes that the decision relied on generic language and missed an opportunity to explicitly root the program in human rights principles.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2024). Promoting Human Rights in Climate Action: Report from the Dubai Climate Conference (COP28). https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Promoting-Human-Rights-in-Climate-Action-Report-from-COP28.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. Promoting Human Rights in Climate Action: Report from the Dubai Climate Conference (COP28). 2024. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Promoting-Human-Rights-in-Climate-Action-Report-from-COP28.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=Promoting Human Rights in Climate Action: Report from the Dubai Climate Conference (COP28) |date=2024 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Promoting-Human-Rights-in-Climate-Action-Report-from-COP28.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2024promoting, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{Promoting Human Rights in Climate Action: Report from the Dubai Climate Conference (COP28)}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2024}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Promoting-Human-Rights-in-Climate-Action-Report-from-COP28.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }