Author: Kalipa Gedion Kisuse

My experience at COP28 has been overwhelming but life-changing. This course and culminating with the conference has been a highlight for the semester. I have learned a great deal about how international actors solve problems, an essential skill for my global health career. I have learned the complexities of reaching a consensus amidst the contrasting interests of varying parties. Despite not accomplishing the desired targets at the adjournment of the COP28, it offers avenues of what to pursue next.

One of the reasons for attending COP28 was to develop research skills. I met different researchers conducting various observational studies to identify how high heat influences maternal morbidity and how particulate matter has led to the emergence of respiratory illnesses. It was inspiring to witness the amazing work other researchers have already conducted. However, significant gaps still exist to address and explore the link between climate and health. With the several connections made, I have support in my search to study climate factors that influence MI patients.

The clients I worked with at the conference were amazing! The Global Climate and Health Alliance was one of the leading health organizations in the health and climate space. They were committed to tracking gaps in the negoatiations and reaching out to countries to pursue them in the right direction. Much more work is needed in advocacy and outreach, and I would like to continue working with them to fulfill their mission. RTI International has impactful interventions in the climate and health space. It would be a great organization to be affiliated with to learn how impactful I can be in adaptation and mitigation.

The final results of the negotiations at this conference sadden many people’s hearts. Despite all the overwhelming evidence, parties were still reluctant to take strict measures to phase out fossil fuels. Nonetheless, the passion of the health delegates, indigenous communities, and youth was encouraging. We will keep fighting for what is right!

Lastly, the climate space is vast, and several avenues exist for making a difference. While still uncertain about my role here, I will utilize the network, clients, and skills I have learned to figure out my next step. The climate and health space is novel to many health workers; my role is significant in spreading awareness, influencing policies, and designing impactful interventions. Let us see where this road will lead!

PRE-COP28

I was unsure of my place as a health major student at COP28. However, to my surprise, health professionals have been in the UNFCCC space for quite a while. A small health delegation has been growing over time, attending the COP conferences. There has been more emphasis on research to study the relationship between climate and health.

Since COP26, the WHO has had a Health Pavilion to spread awareness of the link. While there has never been a dedicated health agenda item at COPs, this continued health movement has led to recognizing health in the Paris Agreement and the COP27 outcome. The prospect was looking better for COP28.

INTRA-COP28

COP28 has, by far, had the highest presence of health ministers, ministerial representatives, and health workers ever. This health declaration was the states’ acknowledgment of the urgency of climate action to preserve health, including strengthening policies, addressing health determinants in the climate space, and collaborating on research.

The unique part of COP28 is having the inaugural Health Day on the 3^{rd of} December. There was a tremendous health discussion that day, and we can proudly affirm that many received the message positively. Health is a vital reason why we should commit to climate action.

Among the several tasks the health professionals were committed to performing, the Global Climate and Health Alliance was one of the leaders in advocacy. The roles involved negotiation tracking, where we could all be informed of what was happening in every thematic area. We had daily briefings to update all health delegates and identify opportunities for improvement. We also did party outreach, which involved reaching out to countries that may benefit from persuasion from a health perspective to formulate favorable positions.

COP28 was also an excellent platform for networking. There were various side events and receptions where you could meet brilliant minds worldwide working towards the same goal: a healthy climate.

Unfortunately, we saw that health did not penetrate most negotiations. Such discussions on Global Stock Take, Global Goal of Adaptation, and Fossil Fuels lacked the influence or mention of health.

POST-COP28

The health delegation and organization did a terrific job of amplifying the intersection of health and climate at the conference. The future tasks in preparing for the next conference to ensure a healthy climate begin now, right after COP28.

We are developing health parameters for climate phenomena effectively. This will allow us to accurately monitor the progress of climate change and its interventions, with the health of the communities in consideration. We currently have National Determined Contribution and Air Pollution scorecards, which have proven effective. However, there are still more studies that need to be done.

We also aim to continue working with different countries to ensure preserving health and option favorable climate decisions. Maybe not in the next COP, but the presentation of health bodies in the negotiations may be vital.

Finally, I urge more health-related students to apply for the Duke UNFCCC course and attend the COP meetings.

The road to COP 28 has been quite intriguing. As a health-majoring student, the climate space was quite novel. The lectures in class have been instrumental in familiarizing me with the UNFCCC context and the tracks around the climate issue. For instance, I had no idea what carbon markets meant before these classes. The most exciting component of the course is securing clients who will provide your focus during the overwhelming conference as you assist them in achieving their deliverables. I managed to have three clients: The United Republic of Tanzania (home country), the Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA), and RTI International.

A few months before COP28, I  worked closely with GCHA, which offered a comprehensive orientation on the role of health workers/ researchers/ organizations throughout recent years. It was vital to discovering my place in the scheme of the UNFCCC. It was also a great opportunity to e-network with interested health & climate enthusiasts from different universities, organizations, and countries. Meanwhile, I recognized my prospecitve tasks for COP28: tracking negotiations, daily health briefings/ meetings, and party outreach. The theme I will primarily focus is “Loss and Damage.” This however, doesn’t mean I will not attend other thematic conversations.

I have learned a great deal this semester. And while COP28 still remains a labyrinth of many ideas/interests/people, I look forward to seeing what my 14 days in Dubai will turn out to be.