Participated in the UN Climate Conference COP28 for the University

Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir, professor of ecology, recently attended the COP28 Climate Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, representing the University of Iceland.  She views it as a step in the right direction that provisions discouraging reliance on fossil fuels were included in the final agreement of the conference. Furthermore, she points out the increasing emphasis on nature conservation, sustainable resource utilization, and the restoration of ecosystems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote biodiversity worldwide. 

Ingibjörg Svala has spent decades researching the effects of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity in the Arctic, where global warming is considerably faster than in other parts of the world. "I also teach ecology, where the impacts of climate change and the loss of biodiversity are extensively covered. Moreover, I was a member of the Icelandic Climate Council representing the university community until the council's term ended this autumn.  All these factors motivated my participation in COP28 to gain first-hand experience of how the negotiation process unfolds.  The Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Climate approved my participation in the delegation, and the rector of the University of Iceland authorized me to attend as a representative of the university," explains Ingibjörg Svala when asked about her reasons for attending the 28th United Nations Climate Conference. 

Nature-based solutions crucial in climate action

During the conference, the Nordic countries jointly organized various events, and Ingibjörg Svala participated in one of these where representatives included the Sami and young people. The event focused on nature-based solutions under the title "Nature-based solutions to the Triple Planetary Crisis – Collaborating for a better outcome for the Nordics." 

"Nature-based solutions are built on three main pillars: nature conservation, sustainable resource management, and the restoration of natural and transformed ecosystems. They aim to address societal challenges such as climate change, pollution, and natural catastrophes, thereby ensuring human well-being and protecting biodiversity," explains Ingibjörg Svala.

She also emphasizes that about 15% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions worldwide can be attributed to unsustainable land use, making it crucial to work towards halting such emissions. "Nature-based solutions provide an excellent framework for success when applied correctly. During my presentation at the event, I highlighted the main challenges, stressing the importance of building on scientific knowledge and adhering to well-defined standards to ensure that actions are in harmony with both the environment and society. Failure to do so could lead to actions, carried out in the name of climate action, causing other problems, and negatively impacting biodiversity, such as by planting monoculture tree plantations with non-native and even invasive species," says Ingibjörg Svala. She also points out that introducing market mechanisms with carbon credits may encourage the use of nature-based solutions, but also poses risks of misuse and "green washing." 

"Furthermore, I emphasized that nature-based solutions are long-term solutions to climate issues, as it usually takes a considerable amount of time to achieve lasting results. The primary focus should always be on stopping current emissions through protection, restoration, and sustainable use of land. Increased carbon sequestration in ecosystems comes as a bonus. However, the emphasis on nature-based solutions and various technological solutions should not overshadow the main issue: halting the burning of fossil fuels, which accounts for the majority of the 85% of emissions caused by humans," stresses Ingibjörg Svala.

Disappointment that phasing out fossil fuels was not more progressive

It can be said that progress was made in the fight against climate change at the conference when nearly 200 participating countries agreed for the first time to incorporate provisions in the final agreement to transition away from use of fossil fuel as energy sources by the next quarter of the century. This aims to limit the increase in global temperature to 1.5 degrees, as stipulated in the Paris Agreement of 2016.

"It is of course disappointing that a clear commitment to phasing out fossil fuels was not explicitly stated. However, despite this, looking at the results as a step in the right direction that after 28 years, fossil fuels are finally mentioned in the text of the agreement!  Furthermore, there is work to be done in introducing clearer provisions related to the protection of biodiversity and sustainable land use, including in food production. Some steps in that direction were taken at COP28 through the signing of declarations," says Ingibjörg Svala, commenting on the main outcomes of the conference.

Challenges in addressing climate issues in Iceland

She says that it has been extremely enlightening to gain insight into how the negotiation process unfolded at the conference. She attended numerous memorable events, highlighting two in particular. One event focused on the contribution of nations to the fight against climate change. "According to the Paris Agreement, countries themselves are responsible for setting goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by submitting a national determined contribution (NDC) every five years. There, the goals that the respective country sets for itself regarding the reduction of emissions for the next period should be presented. The Global Stocktake (GST) is conducted three years after the NDC is submitted, and the first GST was a significant topic at COP28. The third national contribution is due in 2025, and at this event, representatives of three developing countries, Indonesia, Tunisia, and Brazil, expressed their ambitious plans. It is clear that Iceland needs to step up its efforts to keep pace with these countries," she points out.

The other event aimed to clarify the connection between climate issues and biodiversity from various perspectives. "The issues dealt with there were the role of indigenous peoples, which safeguard 80% of Earth's biodiversity, the diversity and health of food, and the importance of generating funding from various sources and directing it towards nature conservation, and the welfare of humanity for the future. It is crucial to protect integrity of the whole, or as the panel moderator, Grethel Aguilar, a representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and facilitator of the discussions, put it, 'keep the planet intact,'" explains Ingibjörg Svala.

The agreement gives hope for solving imminent threats

When asked about what stands out when looking back at the conference, Ingibjörg Svala highlights two aspects. "First of all, the importance of the world’s nations coming together on a climate agreement gives hope that we can address the impending threats we face. Initially, I was sceptical that all these events around the negotiations themselves would be justified, but after participating, I believe that they play a specific role in pressuring negotiators to achieve results. Secondly, the emphasis placed by numerous events on the synergy between the climate agreement and the agreement on biodiversity is noteworthy," she concludes.