COP28 agreement omits reference to ‘fossil fuels’
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The news: A draft agreement from the UN’s COP28 summit in Dubai omits references to the reduction of fossil fuels, instead favouring goals to reduce consumption after opposition from oil and gas producing countries.
The context: The draft agreement published by the COP28 Presidency does not include calls for a commitment to ‘phase out’ or ‘phase down’ production of fossil fuels. Rather, it sets out a range of steps that countries “could” take to reach net zero by 2050. For instance, in recognising the need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions in GHG emissions, parties are called upon to take actions that could include phasing out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption and do not address energy poverty or just transitions, as soon as possible.
The language around fossil fuels has been hotly debated throughout the COP28 summit, with countries struggling to find agreement on climate goals — particularly with oil and gas producing countries.
Running the talks in Dubai is Sultan Al Jaber, head of the UAE’s state-owned oil company and lead climate delegate, who faced backlash after his comments that there is “no science” behind fossil fuels and keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees celsius came to light.
What they said: In response to the draft agreement, climate activist and former US vice president, Al Gore, said on X: “COP28 is now on the verge of complete failure. The world desperately needs to phase out fossil fuels as quickly as possible, but this obsequious draft reads as if OPEC dictated it word for word. It is even worse than many had feared […] In order to prevent COP28 from being the most embarrassing and dismal failure in 28 years of international climate negotiations, the final text must include clear language on phasing out fossil fuels.”
The source: UNFCCC
