COP28 will encompass crucial discussions and formal negotiations on climate change, but the conference is inclusive for everyone, as it pertains to the future of our planet. The COP28 Green Zone offers over 100 free public events and workshops.
Themed areas dedicated to Energy Transition, Technology and Innovation, and Youth are pivotal spaces where we, as global citizens, will contribute to shaping the future of our planet. Khaleej Times has compiled a guide to the events, activities, and attractions not to be missed.
Within Expo City, Al Forsan Park houses the Expo City Farm, cultivating more than 10 types of crops, offering visitors an interactive experience with regenerative agriculture practices such as crop rotation for improved biodiversity.
Workshops on hydroponic food production and sustainable farming will be complemented by farm-to-table dining experiences. The farm will host community workshops and cooking classes led by sustainability-focused chefs, emphasizing the avoidance of food wastage.
Geared towards a younger audience, the original musical "Alya in Terraland" will be staged for free at Terra Auditorium. Using hip-hop and R&B music, the 45-minute production conveys an environmental awareness message through the story of Alya, a character from the UAE, and her encounters with creatures explaining human impacts on the environment.
Visitors to Terra Pavilion are encouraged to take a "Pledge for People and Planet," available in Arabic for the first time in COP history. This presents an opportunity for everyone to join the global movement to reduce carbon emissions for a better future.
Starting from December 3, the Women’s Pavilion will feature stories about land and sea through exhibitions of photography, crafts, videos, and art installations. The aim is to encourage people to work towards a more just and sustainable future, with women and girls at the forefront of transformation.
The Sustainability Pavilion will host a marine photography exhibition, "Fragile Beauty," by Prince Hussain Aga Khan, celebrating the ocean's magic and advocating for the protection of marine species.
The 'Reflections on Climate Change' exhibition will provide insights into the history and goals of COPs, along with various initiatives people can engage in.
Several free workshops include the launch of the Trillion Bee Coalition, with sessions on local honey production, vermiculture at the 'Wonderful Worms of Terra' workshop, upcycling sessions transforming household trash into treasure, creating pollinator homes for bees, exploring nature through storytelling, and potting and planting workshops for kids.