CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! Get one Exclusive GIFT with your subscription to National Geographic magazine.
Enjoy National Geographic special editions all in one Exclusive price for being a subscriber.
The COP28culminating in Dubai, has been a battleground in the debate over fossil fuels, highlighting the deep divisions among nations over how to address global warming. The summit, aimed at consolidating action on climate change, was marked by significant disagreement and criticism of its original draft.
A new draft deal, reduced from 27 to 21 pages, barely mentions oil, natural gas and coal and mentions only carbon capture.
Mangroves, warriors against climate change in danger
An undemanding agreement
The draft presented by the COP28 Presidency to reach consensus encouraged states to intensify the development of low or zero-emission technologies. These include, but are not limited to, renewable energy sources, nuclear energy, emissions reduction and sequestration methods such as carbon capture, utilization and storage, and the production of hydrogen with minimal carbon emissions. The aim is to continuously replace fossil-based technologies in energy systems.
COP28: The climate crisis will be discussed in Dubai, hosted by an oil giant
Now the newly agreed compromise, which was reached in the early hours of Wednesday, represents a stronger demand than the one proposed in previous days, although it still has certain gaps that have caused anger among critics. The “progressive phase-out” of fossil fuels, a demand previously voiced by more than a hundred nations, is not explicitly mentioned in this agreement. Instead, the text calls for “the transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a fair, orderly and equitable manner and emphasizes the importance of accelerated action in this crucial decade.”
The focus of change is for the planet to achieve emissions neutrality in 2050, consistent with climate science guidelines. In addition, the agreement sets a target for the world to reach its maximum CO2 pollution peak in 2025, with the aim of reaching the agreed threshold. However, it allows for some flexibility, allowing certain countries, such as China, to reach this peak over a longer period of time. This aspect is crucial as it takes into account the different capabilities and circumstances of nations and allows for a more individualized approach to combating climate change.
Could six young people beat Europe in a climate change trial?
All points that have caused controversy
The COP28 agreement proposal has sparked discontent among activists and experts, who criticize it for not being consistent with science, environmental requirements or the position of the majority of countries, and also suggest that the draft is an incoherent collection of promises.
The disagreement centers on several key points. First, the question of fossil fuels: the text does not reflect the commitment to eliminate polluting energies, but only mentions a conditional reduction in their production and consumption.
On the other hand, the mention of coal suggests reducing its use without carbon capture technologies, a weaker mention than that of the Glasgow Agreement at COP26 in 2021, representing a setback in the fight against pollutants. Furthermore, the text lacks a clear timetable and short-term targets to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. The only concrete goal is to reduce the use of fossil energy by mid-century, a horizon considered late by experts.
Also, The text avoids financial obligationswithout going into detail about how developed countries are helping countries in the global south with the energy transition or how the losses and damage caused by climate change are being financed.
AP/Peter Dejong
COP28 summit participants observe the work of artist Yiyun Kang in Dubai.
Finally, the late publication of the draft and the limited time to reach consensus have exacerbated negotiations and unrest, with no clarity as to when an agreement will be reached.
In short, COP28 reflects the complex dynamics and challenges involved in finding a global consensus on climate change, particularly with regard to the critical issue of fossil fuels. The Summit shows that despite widespread recognition of the need to act on climate change, differences in national approaches and priorities continue to represent a significant obstacle to the implementation of concrete and ambitious commitments.