After two weeks, the United Nations Climate Change Conference (known as COP) concluded its 28th edition a day after its expected end, as amid uncertainty a historic consensus was reached that could bring certain certainties for the future in the fight against global warming , with the focus being on the fact that humanity must finally abandon fossil fuels, which are the largest cause of pollutant emissions.
The document was signed by more than 200 countries who, under their commitment to the environment and under international pressure, agreed on a text in which they pledged to abandon fossil fuels as a key measure. “Eliminating fossil fuels from energy systems … accelerates action in this crucial decade to reach the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, science says,” the document says.
With the aim of the planet being emissions-free by 2050, it is the first time in 30 years of negotiations that measures have been agreed to phase out the world's fossil fuels to combat climate change. However, critics of the agreement claim that it is inadequate because they would rather take progressive measures, which is why they believe that the strategy should be more of a shock and have an impact much earlier.
The agreement also provides for further measures that will triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030 and also double energy efficiency worldwide. It also means accelerating efforts to gradually reduce the incessant use of coal energy, another of the biggest polluters on the planet and, for many, a source that should have been eliminated decades ago.
Nations have passed the first UN climate agreement that commits the world to abandoning fossil fuels. | Photo: AFP or licensors
Another controversy arose over the fact that an agreement was reached to accelerate zero- or low-carbon technologies. But that also included carbon capture and storage technology, which aims to remove carbon pollution from the atmosphere but which many experts believe is not fully proven and could divert attention and resources from fuel reduction. Fossils.
On the other hand, personalities involved in the negotiations celebrated the end result. Emirati and president of the edition, Sultan Al Jaber, stated: “We have laid the foundation to achieve historic, transformative change,” he said after approving the statement. “For the first time we are talking about fossil fuels in a statement,” Jaber congratulated, to applause from ministers and officials from almost 200 nations.
Similarly, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who urged major world powers to take action to curb ongoing climate change, said: “The age of fossil fuels must and must end .” done with justice and equity. The exit from fossil fuels is inevitable, whether you like it or not. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come too late,” he stressed, addressing “those who rejected a clear reference” to this elimination term in the COP28 text.
The reaction of the three powers (USA, China and Russia) was immediate. US President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of the agreement reached as a “historic milestone” in the fight against climate change. He acknowledged that there was still “significant work ahead” to achieve key targets to limit global warming, but stressed that the result achieved represented significant progress. China, considered the largest emitter of greenhouse gases and represented by Vice Environment Minister Zhao Yingmin, stressed the historical responsibility of developed countries in the fight against climate change and called on them to take the lead in achieving the 1.5°C target before the rest of the world.
Opening of World Markets on November 21, 2019. GETTY
For its part, Russia, through its head of delegation Ruslan Edelgueriev, stressed its commitment to the transition to fossil fuel-free energy systems, but was modest in demanding that it must be “a fair, orderly transition that takes all aspects into account.” “Consider different national situations,” he added.
What's coming
COP28 also included several provisions to combat climate change amid the agreements reached this week, although they have sparked controversy. The pact of the signatory states accepts that poor countries in many cases do not have the necessary resources to make the transition to renewable energies, but does not require rich countries to make a greater contribution to promote the necessary measures to make this process happen facilitate. Recognizing the urgency of addressing the climate crisis, the summit outlined an ambitious roadmap that calls on countries to take concrete, long-term action.
“Going Forward” mandates that by 2025, each nation must develop a detailed plan to adapt to the current and future impacts of climate change in its regions and implement effective adaptation strategies.
Emissions. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) | Photo: Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
But the pressure doesn't stop there: the summit sets a second crucial milestone for 2030. During this phase, countries are expected to make significant progress in implementing their adaptation plans and demonstrate a real and tangible commitment to mitigating climate change. Global warming effects.
Despite the conclusion of the climate summit, different voices have emerged in different sectors expressing dissatisfaction with the final agreement. Camilo Prieto Valderrama, professor of climate change and environmental health at the University of Javeriana, warned: “Although it is the first time in three decades that world leaders have made clear to the world the need to move away from fossil fuels in an orderly and fair manner.” To To achieve the goal of global decarbonization by 2050, this precision was not explicitly mentioned in the final COP text. There are no specific timelines or commitments to technical precision. In essence, the agreement is timid given the demands posed by the global environmental crisis.”
The oceans have undergone a color change due to global warming. | Photo: Illustration created with Bing Image Creator AI
Similarly, the Alliance of Small Island States (Aosis) stressed in a strong statement that “the text does not provide the balance needed to strengthen global action and chart the right course in the face of climate change.” This disillusionment reflects the concerns of those most strongly vulnerable island states whose reality is particularly affected by the effects of climate change. By 2024, COP29 will be held in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. During COP30 in 2025, it was announced that it would take place in the Brazilian city of Belén, near the estuary the Amazon in the Atlantic Ocean; This information was first announced by the President of the Latin American country, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.