The COP28 summit is officially underway in Dubai.
Known by its full name, the Conference of the Parties of the Convention, it is an international climate summit held annually unless the countries involved decide otherwise.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres delivered the opening address, urging the attending world leaders to submit to a plan without fossil fuels.
He says there is no other way to curb global warming.
"The vital signs are failing. We are miles from the goals of the Paris Agreement – and minutes to midnight for the 1.5-degree limit. But it is not too late. We can, you can, prevent planetary crash and burn. We have the technologies to avoid the worst of climate chaos – if we act now."
A key task for the summit will be the global stock-take, an assessment of countries' progress in meeting the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius.
110 countries have so far signed up to the goal of tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling the annual rate of energy efficiency improvements worldwide by 2030.
European Union Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen says the E-U is on track to overshoot its targets for 2030.
"This COP can make history. Last spring, the European Union launched a call to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030."
It's among several pledges made at this year's summit - including a loss and damage fund to help vulnerable countries cope with the increasingly costly and damaging impacts of climate disasters.
Bill Gates, who is also in attendance, delivered an address urging the public and private sectors to come together to fulfill these climate commitments.
"I believe we really can prevent a climate disaster and achieve zero emissions. Now, as we do that, there's two things we should keep in mind. First, we need for the sake of justice to help people adjust to the planet that is already warmer. Our priority in this adaptation work should be those who are most effective, and the majority of those people are farmers in both sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, and, you know, we can already see the crop loss that they're suffering and what that means to them."
A private investment fund has also been launched to to incentivise new climate projects in developing countries.
COP28 director general Majid Al Suwaidi made the announcement.
"Today, the UAE, His Highness President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced the launch of ALTERRA, a catalytic climate vehicle with an emphasis on the global south. With ALTERRA we want to multiply private capitals, stimulate innovation and reduce barriers, the climate investment that will transform emerging markets in developing economies."
British monarch King Charles the Third, who followed Mr Guterres in his remarks, says the effects of climate change are being fully felt.
"I've seen across the Commonwealth and beyond countless communities which are unable to withstand repeated shocks, whose lives and livelihoods are laid waste by climate change."
But some attendees - like British Opposition leader Keir Starmer are warning while the targets are still there, the world is way off meeting them.
"And that is why so many people have come here to COP, to have the discussion about what further steps we need to take. We do need to take those steps. And what I want to see is much more global leadership from the United Kingdom."
United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says they are taking steps to address this.
"The UK is already one of the largest global climate donors and we're tripling our adaptation finance. I've announced a further £1.6 billion for the Green Climate Fund, the UK's biggest single international climate commitment. And today we've gone further with an additional £1.6 billion of support for clean energy and innovation. And to deliver on the historic Glasgow (COP26) forest deal. Because we can't get to net zero without nature."
The summit is taking place behind a backdrop of competing visions.
Divisions over fossil fuel, lagging finances and geopolitical tensions about the war in Gaza are threatening to distract delegates from making progress, with protesters gathering on the sidelines of the summit.
