Delegates at the COP28 climate summit have made a surprising decision to launch a fund to provide financial assistance to countries affected by climate-related storms and droughts. This agreement, which is usually reached at the last minute after days of negotiations, was brought to the floor on the first day of the summit by COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber. The EU, UK, US, and other countries have already pledged around $400 million to support poor nations impacted by climate change. This deal is expected to create momentum for a broader agreement on climate action during the summit.
The urgency of reaching a comprehensive agreement on climate action was emphasized by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who warned that we are currently experiencing a real-time collapse of the climate. Guterres also highlighted the prediction that 2023 will likely be the hottest year on record, which should alarm world leaders. The announcement of the ‘loss and damage’ fund received sustained applause at the conference, marking a significant step forward in addressing the impacts of climate-related weather events.
The decision to launch the fund was seen as a strategic move by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which had faced criticism prior to the COP28 summit due to leaked documents revealing plans to discuss fossil fuel deals with 15 nations. By initiating the agreement on the loss and damage fund during the first session, the UAE demonstrated its commitment to addressing climate change and gained support from other countries. This fund aims to provide financial assistance for the destruction caused by storms and droughts, which has been a contentious issue for decades.
Last year at COP27, countries agreed to establish a fund for loss and damage, but discussions on the rules, location, and funding sources continued until just before the COP28 summit. Typically, such agreements are finalized at the end of the conference after intense negotiations. However, COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber successfully passed the motion without any opposition, declaring it a historic achievement. The UAE immediately pledged $100 million, and Germany also committed to contributing. The US announced a $17 million contribution, pending approval from Congress. It is important to note that countries’ contributions to the fund do not imply acceptance of liability for historic emissions.
The UK also promised £60 million to the fund, which was seen as a positive step in the right direction by campaigners. However, they emphasized that this pledge is not enough and called for additional funding. Overall, the establishment of the loss and damage fund represents progress in addressing the financial needs of countries affected by climate change, but further action and funding are still required to fully address the issue.
Original news source: COP28: Poor countries win 30-year fight for climate cash (BBC)
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Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into teams. Give each team a slip of paper with a climate-related word or phrase from the article. One person from each team will act out the word or phrase without speaking, while their team tries to guess what it is. The team that guesses correctly earns a point. Repeat with different words or phrases.
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students take turns summarizing the main points of the article. Encourage them to use their own words and keep their summaries concise. After each summary, discuss as a class to ensure everyone understands the key information.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Have students form pairs or small groups. Give each group a list of questions related to the article, such as “Do you think the creation of the loss and damage fund is an important step in addressing climate change?” or “Should countries be held liable for historic emissions?” Each student should take turns asking and answering the questions, discussing their opinions with their partner or group members.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Provide each student with a climate-related word or phrase from the article. Without speaking, they must draw a picture to represent the word or phrase on the board or on a piece of paper. The rest of the class must guess what it is based on the drawing. This activity can be done individually or in pairs.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to list the pros of launching the loss and damage fund, and the other group to list the cons. Give students time to brainstorm and then have each group present their lists to the class. Encourage a respectful discussion and debate on the different points raised.
Comprehension Questions:
1. When was the decision to launch the fund made at the COP28 climate summit?
2. Which countries have already pledged financial support for the fund?
3. Why did the United Arab Emirates (UAE) initiate the agreement on the loss and damage fund during the first session?
4. What was the contentious issue regarding storms and droughts that the fund aims to address?
5. When was the fund for loss and damage established?
6. How did COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber pass the motion for the fund without any opposition?
7. How much did the UAE immediately pledge to the fund?
8. What was the UK’s contribution to the fund and how was it received by campaigners?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Delegates at the COP28 (1)______ summit have made a surprising decision to launch a fund to provide financial assistance to countries affected by climate-related storms and (2)______. This agreement, which is usually reached at the last minute after days of negotiations, was brought to the floor on the first day of the summit by COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber. The EU, UK, US, and other countries have already pledged around $400 million to support poor (3)______ impacted by climate (4)______. This deal is expected to create momentum for a broader agreement on climate action during the summit.
The urgency of reaching a comprehensive agreement on climate action was emphasized by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who warned that we are currently experiencing a real-time collapse of the climate. Guterres also highlighted the prediction that 2023 will likely be the hottest year on record, which should alarm world leaders. The announcement of the ‘loss and damage’ fund received sustained applause at the conference, marking a significant step forward in addressing the impacts of climate-related weather events.
The decision to launch the fund was seen as a strategic move by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which had faced criticism prior to the COP28 summit due to leaked documents (5)______ plans to discuss (6)______ fuel (7)______ with 15 nations. By (8)______ the agreement on the loss and damage fund during the first session, the UAE demonstrated its commitment to addressing climate change and gained support from other countries. This fund aims to provide financial assistance for the destruction caused by storms and droughts, which has been a contentious issue for decades.
Last year at (9)______, countries agreed to establish a fund for loss and damage, but discussions on the rules, location, and funding sources continued until just before the COP28 (10)______. Typically, such agreements are finalized at the end of the conference after intense (11)______. However, COP28 president (12)______ al-Jaber successfully passed the motion without any opposition, declaring it a historic achievement. The UAE immediately pledged $100 million, and Germany also committed to contributing. The US announced a $17 million contribution, pending approval from Congress. It is important to note that countries’ (13)______ to the fund do not imply acceptance of liability for historic emissions.
The UK also promised £60 million to the fund, which was seen as a positive step in the right (14)______ by campaigners. However, they emphasized that this pledge is not enough and called for additional (15)______. Overall, the establishment of the loss and damage fund represents progress in addressing the financial needs of countries affected by climate change, but further (16)______ and funding are still required to fully address the issue.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your opinion on the decision to launch a fund for countries affected by climate-related storms and droughts?
2. How would you feel if your country was impacted by climate change and received financial assistance from this fund?
3. Do you think $400 million is enough to support poor nations impacted by climate change? Why or why not?
4. How do you think the creation of this fund will impact the broader agreement on climate action during the summit?
5. What are your thoughts on the UN Secretary-General’s warning about the real-time collapse of the climate?
6. How do you think world leaders should respond to the prediction that 2023 will likely be the hottest year on record?
7. Do you believe the announcement of the ‘loss and damage’ fund will effectively address the impacts of climate-related weather events? Why or why not?
8. What is your opinion on the strategic move by the UAE to initiate the agreement on the loss and damage fund during the first session of the summit?
9. How do you think the establishment of this fund will impact the discussions on fossil fuel deals with 15 nations?
10. Do you think it was a historic achievement for the COP28 president to pass the motion for the loss and damage fund without any opposition? Why or why not?
11. How do you feel about countries’ contributions to the fund not implying acceptance of liability for historic emissions?
12. What is your opinion on the UK’s pledge of £60 million to the fund? Do you think it is a positive step in the right direction?
13. How do you think additional funding can be secured for the loss and damage fund?
14. What further action do you believe is necessary to fully address the financial needs of countries affected by climate change?
15. How do you think the establishment of this fund will impact the perception of countries’ commitment to addressing climate change?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. fund
2. agreement
3. climate
4. countries
5. assistance
6. storms
7. droughts
8. financial
Meanings:
(a) Help or support provided
(b) Periods of unusually low rainfall
(c) A sum of money set aside for a specific purpose
(d) Relating to money or monetary matters
(e) The long-term weather patterns of a region
(f) Nations or states
(g) A decision reached between parties involved
(h) Severe weather events with strong winds and rain
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. When was the decision to launch the fund made?
(a) On the first day of the summit
(b) At the end of the conference
(c) Prior to the COP28 summit
(d) During intense negotiations
2. Which countries have already pledged around $400 million to support poor nations impacted by climate change?
(a) Russia, China, India
(b) Australia, Canada, Brazil
(c) Japan, South Korea, Mexico
(d) EU, UK, US
3. Who warned about the real-time collapse of the climate?
(a) COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber
(b) UN Secretary-General António Guterres
(c) Delegates at the COP28 summit
(d) Campaigners for climate action
4. What is the prediction for 2023?
(a) It will likely be the hottest year on record
(b) It will likely be the coldest year on record
(c) It will likely be a year with average temperatures
(d) It will likely be a year with unpredictable weather patterns
5. Why was the decision to launch the fund seen as a strategic move by the UAE?
(a) To gain support from other countries
(b) To demonstrate commitment to addressing climate change
(c) To address criticism about fossil fuel deals
(d) All of the above
6. When was the fund for loss and damage established?
(a) COP28
(b) Before the COP28 summit
(c) During intense negotiations
(d) COP27
7. How much did the UAE pledge to the fund?
(a) $400 million
(b) $100 million
(c) $17 million
(d) £60 million
8. What did campaigners emphasize about the UK’s pledge to the fund?
(a) It is enough to fully address the issue
(b) It implies acceptance of liability for historic emissions
(c) It is a positive step, but more funding is needed
(d) It is a historic achievement in addressing climate change
Go to answers ⇩
True or False Questions:
1. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that we are currently experiencing a projected collapse of the climate and that 2023 is predicted to be the coldest year on record.
2. Last year at COP27, countries agreed to abolish a fund for loss and damage, but discussions on the rules, location, and funding sources continued until just before the COP28 summit.
3. The announcement of the ‘loss and damage’ fund received sustained applause at the conference, marking a significant step forward in addressing the impacts of climate-related weather events.
4. The decision to launch the fund was seen as an unplanned move by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to address criticism over leaked documents revealing plans to avoid discussing fossil fuel deals with 15 nations.
5. The UK pledged £60 million to the fund, but campaigners emphasized that additional funding is still needed to fully address the financial needs of countries affected by climate change.
6. Delegates at the COP28 climate summit have ended a fund to provide financial assistance to countries affected by climate-related storms and droughts.
7. False version:
8. The EU, UK, US, and other countries have already pledged around $400 million to support poor nations impacted by climate change.
9. The agreement to launch the fund was brought to the floor on the first day of the summit by COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber.
Go to answers ⇩
Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Writing Questions:
Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
1. Why was the decision to launch the ‘loss and damage’ fund seen as a strategic move by the United Arab Emirates?
2. What is the purpose of the ‘loss and damage’ fund?
3. How much money has been pledged by the EU, UK, US, and other countries to support poor nations impacted by climate change?
4. What did UN Secretary-General António Guterres warn about the current state of the climate?
5. What did campaigners say about the UK’s pledge to the fund?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. The decision to launch the fund was made on the first day of the COP28 climate summit.
2. The EU, UK, US, and other countries have already pledged around $400 million to support the fund.
3. The UAE initiated the agreement on the loss and damage fund during the first session to demonstrate its commitment to addressing climate change and gain support from other countries.
4. The fund aims to address the destruction caused by storms and droughts, which has been a contentious issue for decades.
5. The fund for loss and damage was established last year at COP27.
6. COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber successfully passed the motion for the fund without any opposition by bringing it to the floor on the first day of the summit.
7. The UAE immediately pledged $100 million to the fund.
8. The UK promised £60 million to the fund, which was seen as a positive step by campaigners, although they emphasized the need for additional funding.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) climate
(2) droughts
(3) nations
(4) change
(5) revealing
(6) fossil
(7) deals
(8) initiating
(9) COP27
(10) summit
(11) negotiations
(12) Sultan
(13) contributions
(14) direction
(15) funding
(16) action
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. fund
Answer: (c) A sum of money set aside for a specific purpose
2. agreement
Answer: (g) A decision reached between parties involved
3. climate
Answer: (e) The long-term weather patterns of a region
4. countries
Answer: (f) Nations or states
5. assistance
Answer: (a) Help or support provided
6. storms
Answer: (h) Severe weather events with strong winds and rain
7. droughts
Answer: (b) Periods of unusually low rainfall
8. financial
Answer: (d) Relating to money or monetary matters
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. When was the decision to launch the fund made?
Answer: (a) On the first day of the summit
2. Which countries have already pledged around $400 million to support poor nations impacted by climate change?
Answer: (d) EU, UK, US
3. Who warned about the real-time collapse of the climate?
Answer: (b) UN Secretary-General António Guterres
4. What is the prediction for 2023?
Answer: (a) It will likely be the hottest year on record
5. Why was the decision to launch the fund seen as a strategic move by the UAE?
Answer: (c) To address criticism about fossil fuel deals
6. When was the fund for loss and damage established?
Answer: (d) COP27
7. How much did the UAE pledge to the fund?
Answer: (b) $100 million
8. What did campaigners emphasize about the UK’s pledge to the fund?
Answer: (c) It is a positive step, but more funding is needed
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that we are currently experiencing a projected collapse of the climate and that 2023 is predicted to be the coldest year on record. (Answer: False)
2. Last year at COP27, countries agreed to abolish a fund for loss and damage, but discussions on the rules, location, and funding sources continued until just before the COP28 summit. (Answer: False)
3. The announcement of the ‘loss and damage’ fund received sustained applause at the conference, marking a significant step forward in addressing the impacts of climate-related weather events. (Answer: True)
4. The decision to launch the fund was seen as an unplanned move by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to address criticism over leaked documents revealing plans to avoid discussing fossil fuel deals with 15 nations. (Answer: False)
5. The UK pledged £60 million to the fund, but campaigners emphasized that additional funding is still needed to fully address the financial needs of countries affected by climate change. (Answer: True)
6. Delegates at the COP28 climate summit have ended a fund to provide financial assistance to countries affected by climate-related storms and droughts. (Answer: False)
7. False version: (Answer: False)
8. The EU, UK, US, and other countries have already pledged around $400 million to support poor nations impacted by climate change. (Answer: True)
9. The agreement to launch the fund was brought to the floor on the first day of the summit by COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
