Harriet Thew

Job title:

Lecturer in Climate Change

Area of work:

Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) – the UNFCCC policy on education, training and public participation. This is the 6th article of the framework convention on climate change from 1992 in recognition that public awareness, understanding, buy in and contribution will be needed to support governments to act on the climate crisis.

What are the big issues that COP28 needs to address? What are your hopes for the negotiations?

My hope is that COP28 is the COP in which the financial pledges made in Copenhagen in 2009 are finally delivered and exceeded. This is necessary to rebuild trust between Parties and pave the way for a more equitable, efficient and effective approach to climate action. Unfortunately this has been my aim for at the the last three COPs and progress on this remains elusive.

What’s your message for world leaders at COP28?

In light of the above, this can be best summarised as “put your money where your mouth is”.