COP28, which was hosted in the UAE, has come to a close. In the first of a two-part instalment of PGIM Fixed Income’s Fixed on ESG, James Malone, CFA, ESG Research Specialist, and John Ploeg, CFA, Co-Head of ESG Research, analyse the key takeaways of the COP. The duo take a closer look at the results of the first-ever Global Stocktake, discuss the effectiveness of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), weigh in on the debate around the new loss and damage fund, examine the criticism that shadowed the appointment of this year's host nation and president, assess the effectiveness of various COP initiatives, and consider the real-world impact of COP's voluntary pledge process. Recorded on December 15, 2023.