Delegates at the COP28 climate summit have made a surprising decision to create a fund to help countries affected by climate-related storms and droughts. Usually, this kind of agreement is made at the last minute after days of negotiations, but this time it was brought up on the first day of the summit. 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 encourage more action on climate change during the summit.

The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive agreement on climate action. He warned that the climate is collapsing right now and that 2023 is predicted to be the hottest year ever recorded. This announcement of the ‘loss and damage’ fund received a lot of applause at the conference, showing that people are taking the impacts of climate-related weather events seriously.

The decision to create the fund was seen as a smart move by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They had faced criticism before the summit because of leaked documents that showed plans to discuss fossil fuel deals with 15 countries. By starting the agreement on the loss and damage fund early, the UAE showed that they are committed to addressing climate change and gained support from other countries. This fund aims to provide money to help with the destruction caused by storms and droughts, which has been a big issue for a long time.

At last year’s COP27, countries agreed to set up a fund for loss and damage, but discussions on the rules, location, and where the money would come from continued until just before COP28. Usually, these agreements are made at the end of the conference after lots of negotiations. But this time, COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber managed to get the motion passed without any opposition, which is a big achievement. The UAE immediately pledged $100 million, and Germany also promised to contribute. The US said they would give $17 million, but they need approval from Congress first. It’s important to note that countries contributing to the fund don’t admit responsibility for past emissions.

The UK also promised £60 million to the fund, which campaigners saw as a step in the right direction. But they said that more money is needed. Overall, the creation of the loss and damage fund is progress in helping countries affected by climate change, but more needs to be done to fully address the issue.

Original news source: COP28: Poor countries win 30-year fight for climate cash (BBC)

Listen

Slow

Normal

Fast

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the students into pairs. Each pair will choose a key moment or concept from the article and sketch it on a piece of paper. They should try to convey the meaning using only drawings, no words. After they finish, have the pairs share their sketches with the class and explain what they represent.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the students into teams. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and choose a word from the list. They must then draw a picture on the board to represent the word, while their team tries to guess what it is. The team that guesses correctly gets a point. Continue with different students and words until all the vocabulary has been covered.

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the students into pairs. Each pair will take turns summarizing the main points of the article to their partner. They should try to include key details and important information. After both partners have had a chance to summarize, have them switch roles and summarize again. Finally, have a few pairs share their summaries with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the students into small groups. Each group will discuss their opinions on the creation of the loss and damage fund. They should consider the pros and cons, and come up with reasons to support or oppose the fund. After the discussion, each group will present their opinions to the class, and the class can vote on whether they support or oppose the fund.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Give the students a few minutes to think individually about the implications of the loss and damage fund. Then, have them pair up with a partner and discuss their thoughts. Finally, bring the class back together and have a few pairs share their ideas with the whole group. Encourage students to listen and respond to each other’s ideas.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Why was the decision to create the ‘loss and damage’ fund surprising at the COP28 climate summit?
2. Which countries have already pledged money to support poor nations impacted by climate change?
3. Why did the announcement of the ‘loss and damage’ fund receive applause at the conference?
4. How did the United Arab Emirates (UAE) gain support from other countries by starting the agreement on the fund early?
5. What is the aim of the ‘loss and damage’ fund?
6. How was the motion to create the fund passed without any opposition at COP28?
7. Which countries immediately pledged money to the fund?
8. What is the significance of the UK’s promise of £60 million to the fund?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Delegates at the COP28 (1)______ summit have made a surprising (2)______ to create a fund to help countries affected by climate-related storms and droughts. Usually, this kind of agreement is made at the last minute after days of negotiations, but this time it was brought up on the first day of the summit. 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 (3)______ more action on climate change during the summit.

The UN Secretary-General, António (4)______, stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive agreement on climate action. He warned that the climate is collapsing right now and that 2023 is predicted to be the hottest year ever recorded. This announcement of the ‘loss and (5)______’ fund received a lot of applause at the conference, (6)______ that people are taking the impacts of climate-related weather events seriously.

The decision to create the fund was seen as a (7)______ move by the United Arab (8)______ (UAE). They had faced criticism before the summit because of leaked documents that showed plans to discuss fossil fuel deals with 15 countries. By starting the agreement on the loss and damage fund early, the UAE showed that they are committed to addressing climate change and gained (9)______ from other countries. This fund aims to provide money to help with the destruction caused by (10)______ and droughts, which has been a big issue for a long time.

At last year’s COP27, countries agreed to set up a fund for loss and damage, but discussions on the rules, location, and where the money would come from continued until just before COP28. Usually, these (11)______ are made at the end of the conference after lots of negotiations. But this time, COP28 president (12)______ al-Jaber managed to get the motion passed without any opposition, which is a big achievement. The UAE immediately pledged $100 million, and Germany also promised to contribute. The US said they would give $17 million, but they need approval from (13)______ first. It’s important to note that countries (14)______ to the fund don’t (15)______ responsibility for past emissions.

The UK also promised £60 million to the fund, which campaigners saw as a step in the (16)______ direction. But they said that more money is needed. Overall, the creation of the loss and damage fund is progress in helping countries affected by climate change, but more needs to be done 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 the COP28 climate summit?
2. How do you think countries are affected by climate-related storms and droughts?
3. How would you feel if your country was impacted by climate change? Why?
4. Do you think it’s important for countries to support each other when it comes to climate change? Why or why not?
5. What do you think about the decision to create a fund to help countries affected by climate-related weather events?
6. How do you think the ‘loss and damage’ fund will help countries impacted by storms and droughts?
7. Do you think it’s fair for countries to contribute to the fund without admitting responsibility for past emissions? Why or why not?
8. How do you think the creation of the loss and damage fund will encourage more action on climate change?
9. What do you think about the UAE’s decision to start the agreement on the fund early?
10. How do you think the leaked documents affected the UAE’s reputation before the summit?
11. Do you think the UK’s contribution of £60 million to the fund is enough? Why or why not?
12. How do you think the loss and damage fund could be improved?
13. What do you think about the progress made in helping countries affected by climate change?
14. How do you think the loss and damage fund will help poor nations impacted by climate change?
15. Do you think more needs to be done to fully address the issue of climate change? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. delegates
2. fund
3. climate
4. agreement
5. support
6. impacts
7. destruction
8. contributions

Meanings:
(a) A decision made by two or more parties
(b) The act of causing severe damage or harm
(c) Help or assistance given to someone or something
(d) People who represent their countries at a meeting
(e) The weather conditions of a place over a long period of time
(f) Money set aside for a specific purpose
(g) Money or resources given to a cause or organization
(h) The effects or consequences of something
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. When was the decision to create the fund made?
(a) After days of negotiations
(b) At last year’s COP27
(c) At the end of the conference
(d) On the first day of the summit

2. How much money have the EU, UK, US, and other countries pledged to support poor nations impacted by climate change?
(a) Around $400 million
(b) $1 billion
(c) $100 million
(d) $17 million

3. Who stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive agreement on climate action?
(a) The president of COP28, Sultan al-Jaber
(b) The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres
(c) The UK government
(d) The United Arab Emirates

4. What is predicted to be the hottest year ever recorded?
(a) 2022
(b) 2023
(c) 2024
(d) 2021

5. Why was the decision to create the fund seen as a smart move by the United Arab Emirates?
(a) It showed their commitment to addressing climate change
(b) It allowed them to discuss fossil fuel deals with other countries
(c) It gained them support from other countries
(d) It was made at the end of the conference

6. What is the aim of the loss and damage fund?
(a) To reduce greenhouse gas emissions
(b) To support renewable energy projects
(c) To provide money to help with the destruction caused by storms and droughts
(d) To hold countries responsible for past emissions

7. How did COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber achieve the passing of the motion without any opposition?
(a) By offering financial incentives to other countries
(b) By threatening to withdraw from the summit
(c) By starting the agreement on the loss and damage fund early
(d) By negotiating with Congress

8. How much money did the UK promise to contribute to the fund?
(a) £100 million
(b) £1 billion
(c) £17 million
(d) £60 million

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. The creation of this fund is expected to encourage more action on climate change during the summit.
2. The UN Secretary-General emphasized the lack of urgency in reaching a comprehensive agreement on climate action, stating that the climate is not currently collapsing.
3. The fund aims to provide financial assistance for the destruction caused by storms and droughts, which have been ongoing issues.
4. The EU, UK, US, and other countries have already pledged around $400 million to support nations affected by climate change.
5. This decision was made on the first day of the summit, which is unusual as such agreements are typically made at the last minute.
6. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) strategically initiated the agreement on the loss and damage fund early to avoid criticism and gain support from other countries.
7. The fund received a negative response at the conference, indicating that people are not taking climate-related weather events seriously.
8. Delegates at the COP28 climate summit have decided not to create a fund to help countries impacted by climate-related storms and droughts.
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. What surprising decision did delegates at the COP28 climate summit make?
2. Why is it unusual for this kind of agreement to be made on the first day of the summit?
3. Who has already pledged money to support poor nations impacted by climate change?
4. Why did the announcement of the ‘loss and damage’ fund receive applause at the conference?
5. Why was the decision to create the fund seen as a smart move by the United Arab Emirates?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why was the decision to create the ‘loss and damage’ fund surprising at the COP28 climate summit?
The decision was surprising because usually, agreements like this are made at the last minute after days of negotiations, but this time it was brought up on the first day of the summit.

2. Which countries have already pledged money to support poor nations impacted by climate change?
The EU, UK, US, and other countries have already pledged around $400 million.

3. Why did the announcement of the ‘loss and damage’ fund receive applause at the conference?
The announcement received applause because it showed that people are taking the impacts of climate-related weather events seriously.

4. How did the United Arab Emirates (UAE) gain support from other countries by starting the agreement on the fund early?
By starting the agreement on the fund early, the UAE showed that they are committed to addressing climate change, which gained support from other countries.

5. What is the aim of the ‘loss and damage’ fund?
The aim of the fund is to provide money to help countries affected by climate-related storms and droughts, which have caused a lot of destruction.

6. How was the motion to create the fund passed without any opposition at COP28?
The motion was passed without opposition because COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber managed to get the motion passed on the first day of the summit, which is a big achievement.

7. Which countries immediately pledged money to the fund?
The UAE immediately pledged $100 million, and Germany also promised to contribute. The US said they would give $17 million, pending approval from Congress.

8. What is the significance of the UK’s promise of £60 million to the fund?
The UK’s promise of £60 million is seen as a step in the right direction, but campaigners believe that more money is needed to fully address the issue of climate change.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) climate
(2) decision
(3) encourage
(4) Guterres
(5) damage
(6) showing
(7) smart
(8) Emirates
(9) support
(10) storms
(11) agreements
(12) Sultan
(13) Congress
(14) contributing
(15) admit
(16) right
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. delegates
Answer: (d) People who represent their countries at a meeting

2. fund
Answer: (f) Money set aside for a specific purpose

3. climate
Answer: (e) The weather conditions of a place over a long period of time

4. agreement
Answer: (a) A decision made by two or more parties

5. support
Answer: (c) Help or assistance given to someone or something

6. impacts
Answer: (h) The effects or consequences of something

7. destruction
Answer: (b) The act of causing severe damage or harm

8. contributions
Answer: (g) Money or resources given to a cause or organization
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. When was the decision to create the fund made?
Answer: (d) On the first day of the summit

2. How much money have the EU, UK, US, and other countries pledged to support poor nations impacted by climate change?
Answer: (a) Around $400 million

3. Who stressed the importance of reaching a comprehensive agreement on climate action?
Answer: (b) The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres

4. What is predicted to be the hottest year ever recorded?
Answer: (b) 2023

5. Why was the decision to create the fund seen as a smart move by the United Arab Emirates?
Answer: (a) It showed their commitment to addressing climate change

6. What is the aim of the loss and damage fund?
Answer: (c) To provide money to help with the destruction caused by storms and droughts

7. How did COP28 president Sultan al-Jaber achieve the passing of the motion without any opposition?
Answer: (c) By starting the agreement on the loss and damage fund early

8. How much money did the UK promise to contribute to the fund?
Answer: (d) £60 million
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. The creation of this fund is expected to encourage more action on climate change during the summit. (Answer: True)
2. The UN Secretary-General emphasized the lack of urgency in reaching a comprehensive agreement on climate action, stating that the climate is not currently collapsing. (Answer: False)
3. The fund aims to provide financial assistance for the destruction caused by storms and droughts, which have been ongoing issues. (Answer: True)
4. The EU, UK, US, and other countries have already pledged around $400 million to support nations affected by climate change. (Answer: True)
5. This decision was made on the first day of the summit, which is unusual as such agreements are typically made at the last minute. (Answer: True)
6. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) strategically initiated the agreement on the loss and damage fund early to avoid criticism and gain support from other countries. (Answer: False)
7. The fund received a negative response at the conference, indicating that people are not taking climate-related weather events seriously. (Answer: False)
8. Delegates at the COP28 climate summit have decided not to create a fund to help countries impacted by climate-related storms and droughts. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧