Well, having let the dust settle after the conclusion of COP28, it is clear that the final result can only be considered another dismal failure in the efforts to create meaningful action in the fight against climate change.

This opinion was best summed up by the Samoa delegate’s statement, read out at the end of the Cop28 process, after the gavel had been brought down on the final text.

The Samoa delegate politely pointed out the fact that the text had been passed while the group of Pacific Island states were outside of the room and were preparing their objections to the draft decision text presented.

The point being that Cop28 decisions can only be arrived at through consensus, and so the Cop28 President conveniently missed the fact that one of the last remaining groups still not in consensus were outside the room when he decided to end discussions and declare the Cop28 process closed…

All credit to the Samoa delegate who then read out the statement of objection they had been preparing whilst outside the room (I recommend watching The Guardian’s video of this if not seen already), and which revealed the decision text for what it was – a step backwards in some places and riddled with loopholes.

The reason for their strong pushback? The Pacific Island nations will be some of the first major casualties of climate change, as the rising sea waters will surely result in their islands no longer being habitable and their cultures being lost to the world forever without concerted efforts to maintain and record them…???