Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault was full of praise for the agreement reached at COP28, which for the first time envisages a reduction in the use of fossil fuels worldwide.
In the eyes of the environmental activist and politician, the final declaration of COP28 represents a “monumental result”.
“For the first time ever, we have reached a historic consensus to phase out fossil fuels in energy systems,” commented Minister Guilbeault.
In fact, the text signed by participating countries at COP28 calls for a “transition away from fossil fuels” and refers to an “acceleration” of this transition by 2030, but does not set a quantified reduction target for the next few years.
Nevertheless, this is already great progress, said the minister.
“I have attended every COP since the first one. Today I am full of optimism because I see this agreement as a collective approach to protect people and the planet,” assured Steven Guilbeault.
“The final agreement gives us the chance to continue fighting to achieve our climate goals. This is a pledge from all countries to work together to limit the warming of our planet to 1.5°C,” he added.
Alberta was also happy
Ironically, despite its status as an oil-producing province, Alberta was also happy with the text adopted at COP28.
“I am very encouraged by the success of Alberta and Saskatchewan […] who have pushed back the voices of those obsessed with accelerating the release of affordable and sustainable energy from oil and natural gas,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called out for oil projects in her province.
It denounced those who, like Steven Guilbeault “and other radical activists,” advocate for a phase-out of fossil fuels, accusing them of wanting to “doom the world to energy poverty and economic stagnation.”