A Quick & Easy Guide to COP 23: UN Climate Talks in Bonn, Germany

Climate change is not the easiest topic to understand so we have put together this quick and easy to read guide to explain what COP 23 is all about.

What is CoP 23?

CoP23 is 23rd annual Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This is a place for the concerned public worldwide to begin – or continue – their engagement in the effort to combat global warming and the human activity that causes it.

CoP 23 is being held in Bonn – the seat of the UNFCCC headquarters – and will be organised by Fiji, a small Pacific island state particularly vulnerable to the consequences of climate change like rising ocean levels and extreme weather phenomena. It will run from 6-17 November 2017.

Okay, but what is it all about?

Back in 1992, the UN Framework on Climate Change (UNCFCCC) was adopted. The aim of was to stabilise atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs), and 197 states have now signed up to the framework.

COP – Conference of Parties – was set up in 1995 to review progress. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was passed. This is really important as it committed State Parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Paris Agreement of 2015 strengthened the global response to the threat of climate change in targeting a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. COP 23 aims build on the legally-binding Paris Agreement by accelerating its implementation and set out the next steps to transformative change.

Why is it important?

New analysis suggests that limiting temperature rises could be met with a modest strengthening of the current Paris pledges up to 2030, followed by sharp cuts in carbon emissions thereafter. Current estimates are that if greenhouse gas emissions are cut to zero by 2057, we will be able to avoid the increase which would be a tipping point for catastrophic change in the climate.

At the same time, the effects of climate change are being felt throughout the world, and especially in the lower-income countries least able to adapt to them. The C0P continues to monitor the mechanisms established to ensure that these poorer countries have the resources to properly protect their people.

So with the Paris Agreement signed by 162 countries, now is the time to ensure that the commitments are being met and innovative ways to strengthen and extend the actions are shared and agreed.

Are we all committed to cutting our greenhouse gas emissions?

Sadly, it’s not that easy or straightforward. A lot of countries have published their intended commitments and action plans of how they will reduce their carbon emissions, but others haven’t, and many of the commitments are conditional on money from the international community.

If all the intended commitments are passed though, will that be enough?

To provide a habitable planet for our children, grandchildren and future generations, we must limit the increase in the global average temperature to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, as agreed at Paris. To achieve this, greenhouse gas emissions must be eliminated within 40 years. The Paris voluntary national commitments would result in emissions in 2030 being higher than in 2015 and are consistent with a 3°C warming path, and significantly higher if the warming impacts of carbon-cycle feedbacks are considered. Unless dramatically improved upon, the present commitments exclude the attainment of either the 1.5°C or 2°C targets this century without wholly unrealistic assumptions about negative emissions. Without continuing and escalating commitment, additional measures and system change, complete climate breakdown and its horrendous consequences seems inevitable.

“We are in danger of ending life as we know it on our planet”
Islamic Declaration on Climate Change, 2015

Is there anything we can do to help ensure that governments act on their commitments?

We have been asking people to campaign with us. Start conversations with your friends and neighbours, talking to religious leaders about the issue, spread the word on social media, and look for petitions and events near you that can get people talking about climate change and pass the word along.. Keep yourself informed, The Guardian provides up to date information. Look for local and national campaigns on climate issues, or start your own. Muslim Action on Development and Environment (MADE) has produced a Campaign Toolkit offering practical advice to get a campaign off the ground, as well as helpful tips and creative ideas to give your campaign maximum impact.

Islamic Relief and climate change

Why is Islamic Relief getting involved in a discussion about climate change? We thought you worked to alleviate poverty?

We do. And what we have increasingly found is that much of the poverty and suffering we are working to reduce is actually caused by climate related factors.

For example, we work in East Africa where famine has followed years of drought, and in South Asia where land erosion due to storms and surges is depriving vulnerable people of their livelihoods. Furthermore, when we set out to help families and communities overcome their situation we find that climate change is one of the biggest challenges they face. Scarce water in areas of central Asia is not being replaced so people cannot sustain the progress they have made in increasing their family assets such as livestock. When rains come they are often in the form of violent storms causing flooding and destruction of roads which thwart efforts to supply drought stricken districts.

Climate breakdown is adding an uncertainty to the lives of poor and marginalised people in developing countries which are disproportionately affected by climate change. Through impacts on livelihoods, reductions in crop yields, destruction of homes, increases in food prices, and water scarcity people living in poverty are most severely affected because they lack the assets and power to cope with these stresses.

What is Islamic Relief doing about climate change?

Islamic Relief has raised over £26 million over the last three years to address issues related to climate change in some of the most vulnerable communities in 13 countries – from the smallest scale in Malawi to major enhancement of water supplies in whole province catchment areas in Sudan.

One of our programmes in Pakistan provides clean and safe drinking water, sanitation and health interventions to improve hygiene practices and reduce the risk of disease. Among climate initiatives in Bangladesh, Islamic Relief is running a long-term programme to reduce risks by enhancing climate change adaptation and disaster resilience, and an integrated development project is empowering climate vulnerable households and communities to enhance income, food and livelihoods security, basic services, resilience and a reduction in extreme poverty. In north-eastern Kenya Islamic Relief has recently completed a solar irrigation project to improve community resilience, preparedness and food security and increase self-reliance by enabling pastoralists who have repeatedly lost their herds to drought to switch to growing fruit and vegetables.

Our climate policy shapes how we are responding to the climate change challenges, and the Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change calling on Muslims to protect the environment has been adopted by more than 60 Muslim leaders from around the world.

Islamic Relief’s Action on Climate & Consumption project is supporting people in some of the world’s poorest countries to fight climate change, while at the same time inviting Muslim communities and others in the ‘rich North’ to join the struggle. Mosques and schools are committing to lowering energy consumption by adjusting heating and conditioning levels and looking for ‘green’ providers. Families are looking to their food buying habits to cut out waste, and their transport needs to see where walking, cycling, buses and trains can replace car use. Individuals are digging gardens, growing vegetables, and planting trees. People everywhere are considering how they can reduce, reuse and recycle what they buy.

We are also working to reduce our own carbon footprint. We are reducing emissions in our offices and operations through improving energy efficiency, and reducing carbon emissions from air travel. We are sourcing our products from companies offering low-carbon production or processes and exploring a scheme to offset the carbon of all essential travel.

What do the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) say about climate change?

Here is a selection of our favourite references:

““O children of Adam!… eat and drink- but waste not by excess for Allah loves not the wasters.” (Qur’an 7:31)

“The Earth is green and beautiful, and God has appointed you his stewards over it.” (Muslim)

“Whoever plants a tree and diligently looks after it until it matures and bears fruit is rewarded.” (Bukhari)

“Do not strut arrogantly on the earth. You will never split the earth apart nor will you ever rival the mountains’ stature.” (Qur’an 17:37)

What can I do to help improve the climate?

There are many simple ways that people have helped improve the climate, whether as individuals, or as a community. Collectively we have to take action to prevent further damage to the earth we all live on.

Here are some simple ideas to inspire you:

  • Turn down heating or cooling slightly. Just 1 degree will help reduce your bills by about 8%.
  • Turn things off when not in use (lights, television, computers etc.) and don’t leave things on standby and chargers plugged in.
  • Hang your clothes out to dry rather than using the tumble dryer. Clothes dryers account for 6% of household’s annual electricity consumption
  • Drive less, walk or bike more. Use public transport.
  • Reduce your meat consumption, greenhouse gas emissions from the livestock sector are estimated to account for 14.5 per cent of the global total
  • Use both sides of paper when printing or writing, rather than just one.
  • Ditch bottled water. Every minute, Humans produce over 1 million plastic bottles releasing 120 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. Most end up in landfill or in the ocean.
  • Buy a reusable coffee cup. Paper cups lead to 6.5 million trees cut down, 4 billion gallons of water, and enough energy to power 54,000 homes for a year going to waste
  • Buy local so food doesn’t have to travel so far to reach you. Buy what you need, don’t waste food.
  • Only boil as much water as you need
  • Cut your consumption: Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle
new director

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Nadeem Azhar

General Counsel

Nadeem joined Islamic Relief Worldwide in September 2022. He has worked in the charitable sector for over a decade.

He studied Modern History and Politics at Manchester University, and at the University of Law in London before qualifying as a solicitor in 2011.

Nadeem is an experienced corporate, commercial and governance lawyer, having worked with various faith-based and grant making charities as well those in health and education settings. He was a partner at a law firm in London before moving in-house where he focused on setting up and restructuring charities and social enterprises.

Most recently, Nadeem was Lead Counsel at Mind, a leading mental health charity, where he co-authored a new federation agreement, revamped legal processes, and played a major role in developing its strategic and fundraising partnerships.

Nadeem has been a charity trustee for the Seafarers Charity, as well as many grant-making bodies and theatre companies.

Adnan Hafiz

Director of Network and Resource Development

Adnan joined Islamic Relief in 2004 as a regional fundraiser in the UK. He worked in multiple roles over 10 years at Islamic Relief UK, including setting up the first digital team and leading the growth of digital fundraising and engagement. Adnan also led numerous fundraising and marketing campaigns, which played a significant part in the growth of Islamic Relief UK.

Having moved to Islamic Relief Worldwide in 2014, Adnan has held different roles that have helped grow Islamic Relief’s global digital footprint into new geographic territories, supporting Islamic Relief members with their digital and marketing growth as well as developing new products and initiatives for the Islamic Relief family.

Adnan graduated in Industrial Design and Technology from Loughborough University. He has since completed an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Durham University and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Institute of Data and Marketing.

Board of Directors
Javed Akhtar

Director of Finance

Javed Akhtar has more than a decade of experience at Islamic Relief, having worked in a similar role between 2003-2014. In that role he strove to implement wide-ranging financial and accounting processes which aided in the transparent nature in which Islamic Relief now operates.

Javed also has diverse experience across the private sector, having worked at American chemicals and pharmaceutical giant DuPont, shipping firm FedEX and technology consultancy company Accenture. In all his roles, he prioritises using the latest technologies to improve monitoring and reporting at every level. Javed’s commitment to embracing digital end-to-end technology, enhancing accountability to our stakeholders and promoting financial transparency is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of financial developments in the sector.

By training, Javed is a chartered accountant with a Master’s degree in NGO Management with Charity Accounting and Financial Management from Cass Business School.
Board of Directors
Affan Cheema  

Director of International Programmes

Affan Cheema is an experienced leader who has spent 25 years working in the international aid sector on poverty eradication in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He has worked in fast onset emergencies, protracted crisis and development environments whilst working for Islamic Relief Worldwide and Care International. He is also a trustee of South West International Development Network (SWIDN).

Through his career Affan has held numerous roles including institutional fundraising, programme and grant management, and programme quality assurance.  Affan’s leadership has helped Islamic Relief Worldwide secure the highly coveted Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), seen as the sector’s premier benchmark for operational excellence.

Affan completed his BA in Economics and Geography from University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) and his MSc in Development Administration and Planning from the University of Bristol. He is PRINCE2 qualified, is a keen sportsman and recently co-edited a book entitled -Islam and International Development: Insights for working with Muslim Communities-.
Board of Directors
Dr Hossam Said

Managing Director, Humanitarian Academy for Development (HAD)

For nearly three decades Dr Hossam has provided the strategic vision to manage, lead and develop a range of international humanitarian interventions around the world.

At the start of his career, Dr Hossam served on the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, before moving to Islamic Relief Worldwide to manage the core global business activities as International Programmes Director.

During this time the organisation increased its global reach, gaining both domestic and international repute and credibility. Dr Hossam has also served on the Islamic Relief Worldwide Board of Management and Executive Committee for the past 15 years; sharing responsibility for strategic organisational development and the change management process, whilst forging strong relationships with many other charities.

Dr Hossam gained an MBA from Aston Business School in 2004 and graduated as a Medical Doctor from Cairo University in 1981.
Board of Directors
Martin Cottingham  

Director of External Relations and Advocacy

Martin Cottingham joined Islamic Relief in 2012 as IRUK Media Relations Manager, and was appointed Head of Communications in 2015 before taking up his current position as Director of External Relations and Advocacy for Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Martin has helped Islamic Relief to increase its mainstream media profile and expand its campaigning work, producing hard-hitting advocacy reports on floods in Pakistan (2011) famine in Somalia (2012) disaster risk reduction (2013) and aid to Afghanistan (2014). He has over 20 years’ experience working in media, communications and marketing roles for international development and environmental charities.

Martin graduated from the University of London with a degree in English and Drama (1982-85) then trained as a journalist with a postgraduate diploma at City University (1986-87). He has previously worked for Christian Aid as Editor of Christian Aid News and Media Relations Manager (1988-97) for Oxfam as Regional Campaigns Manager (1997-2000) and at the Soil Association as Marketing Director (2001-2006), as well as working for a wide range of organisations as a freelance writer, researcher and communications consultant.

Tufail Hussain

Director of Islamic Relief UK

Tufail Hussain has 17 years’ experience in the humanitarian and development sector, leading on marketing and fundraising campaigns for several organisations before joining Islamic Relief UK in 2016 as Deputy Director. Tufail was appointed Director of Islamic Relief UK in 2019 and in 2021 provided valuable leadership as interim CEO of Islamic Relief Worldwide.

Tufail is driven by a passion for empowering disadvantaged youth and mentors a number of young people. He also works to strengthen engagement between British Muslims and wider society. Under his leadership, Islamic Relief UK has significantly increased its income and developed successful partnerships with communities across the country. He has travelled around the world to raise awareness of major emergencies such as the Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan crises and the floods in Pakistan and Sudan.

A father to 5 daughters and a son, Tufail is also a sports enthusiast and passionate Liverpool FC supporter. Tufail has run the London Marathon twice, raising over £35,000 for humanitarian causes.

Before joining Islamic Relief he was CEO of Orphans in Need, where he oversaw a new strategy that increased income from £2 million to £9 million in 3 years and opened up new UK and international offices. Tufail is also a trustee of the Muslim Charities Forum and a Director of TIC International (Islamic Relief Worldwide’s clothes recycling and trading arm).
Waseem Ahmad

Chief Executive Officer

Waseem Ahmad joined the Islamic Relief family over 24 years ago, serving as Programme Officer in the Balochistan province of south-western Pakistan before becoming Head of Programmes in Pakistan. Waseem then moved to Oxfam and Tearfund before returning to Islamic Relief to establish our mission in Malawi. Later serving as Head of Programme Funding and Partnerships, Waseem led the response to major crises across the globe, including the East Africa drought, Pakistan earthquake and the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Waseem then served for nearly 6 years as our Director of International Programmes, during which time the charity secured and retained the coveted Core Humanitarian Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our programming. He was appointed CEO of Islamic Relief in May 2021.

With a special interest in community mobilisation and infrastructure, Waseem received an MSc in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, as well as an MSc in Economics from Arid Agriculture University in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Waseem has also worked for Lepra Health in Action and is a member of the International Civil Society Centre’s Board of Trustees. The father-of-3 enjoys walking and playing football, and is a keen birdwatcher.