Global conferences on sustainable development and climate change play a significant role in doing this. Conferences like the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP), get countries and world leaders together to have pertinent discussions about the progress we have made in reducing our carbon reliance and how we are performing with our GHG footprints.
Reviewing our global and national policies, countries and leaders can learn from each other during these climate change conferences and events. These are also platforms to get people talking about their individual responsibilities. Or, what can we do as a business to operate more sustainably and what can we do to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and other heavily emitting technology?
Firstly, we need to get ahead of the conversation, and there is no better way to do so than to bookmark these climate change conferences in your calendar for 2023. Here are the five major climate change conferences to follow in 2023:
The 7th International Conference on Climate Change 2023.
Focus: This conference is research-focused and gathers some of the world’s top climate scientists to discuss the latest papers, key findings, and reports on global warming and climate change. The conference invites anyone within the public to attend virtually. The program includes panel discussions, presentations, workshops, and networking.
Involved countries: Global (Hybrid event – In-person and online).
Dates: 9th to 10th February 2023.
Where: Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Fifteenth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses
Focus: Climate change has massive social impacts with developed countries better equipped to adapt to the environmental conditions brought on by climate change. Climate change adaptation in developing countries is a greater challenge with a scarcity of resources, technology, and personnel to facilitate the climate change adaptation process.
This is the focus of the Fifteenth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts Responses, to discuss strategies for climate change response and adaptation that is applicable on a global scale. Climate change adaptation should not exclude parts of society or under-resourced communities.
Climate change adaptation should look at strategies that mitigate drought, safeguard food and agricultural systems, and conserve natural ecosystems that we rely on.
Involved countries: Global (Hybrid event – In-person and online).
Dates: 20th to 21st April 2023.
Where: Vancouver, Canada.
8th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum (APAN Forum).
Focus: The intention of this forum is to take stock of climate change action and resilience plans within the Asia-Pacific region. The event will also provide a platform to discuss progress made on COP27 that happened last year.
Involved countries: Asia-Pacific region.
Dates: 28th August to 1st September 2023.
Where: Incheon City, Republic of Korea.
Adaptation Futures Conference 2023.
Focus: The Adaptation Futures 2023 conference aims to learn from Indigenous, local knowledge and voices in climate change adaptation research, policies, practices, and actions around the world.
A big objective of this conference is to accelerate the adoption of transformative adaptation for long-term resilience and bring marginalised voices to the forefront in the pursuit of climate justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Involved countries: Global (Hybrid event – In-person and online).
Dates: 2nd to 6th October 2023.
Where: Montreal, Canada.
The 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28).
Focus: The Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)this year (COP28), is the annual meeting of the 198 countries that have signed the UNFCCC, agreeing to combat harmful human impacts on the climate.
Every year the signatory countries meet to assess progress on climate change goals and targets and discuss strategies for the year ahead.
Involved countries: Global (Hybrid event – In-person and online).
Dates: 30th November to 12th December 2023.
Where: United Arab Emirates.
With the aim of making climate change talks and discussions more accessible, many of these major events have opted to be hosted as in-person and virtual events. Equipping yourself with knowledge of current affairs on climate science and sustainable development will empower you to make decisions as a responsible citizen, business owner, or employee. Our understanding of climate science is increasing, we have better simulations and data dashboards that facilitate a more digestible understanding of GHG emissions and global warming, and we have more green technology that is aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change. As a responsible citizen, gaining an understanding of the climate situation in 2023 is your first step to increasing your climate resilience.
