After nearly two weeks of controversy and contentious negotiations, nations have signed a historic agreement at the 2023 UN global climate summit, COP28, to transition away from fossil fuels and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The agreement, signed by more than 200 nations, almost failed near the finish line. On Monday, oil-dependent countries removed language calling for a complete “phase-out” of fossil fuels from the draft, sparking international outrage. The European Union threatened to terminate the agreement. French Energy Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher described the proposed text as “inadequate”. A US State Department spokesman said the agreement needed to be “significantly strengthened,” as well as the alliance of small island states clearly explained that “they wouldn’t sign [su propio] Death certificate”.
The final version of the agreement does not contain an explicit mandate for a phase-out, but states that signatory states agree to “phase out fossil fuels in energy systems in a fair, orderly and equitable manner and accelerate action to reach net-zero in this crucial decade.” . Emissions.” net by 2050 according to science.” The commitment itself is a historic milestone for the UN climate summit.
COP28, held in Dubai and chaired by Sultan al-Jaber – CEO of the UAE's state-owned energy company ADNOC – was heavily criticized for overemphasizing the desires of the fossil fuel economy and energy companies rather than the need to Addressing climate change al-Jaber's climate denial. According to Kick Big Polluters Out (KBPO), a record 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists attended COP28, surpassing the number of all country delegations except Brazil, which will host the conference in 2025. In addition, the number of representatives from oil and gas companies has increased fourfold since the record-breaking COP27 conference in 2022.
Climate activists and nations pushing for tougher fossil fuel regulations are pleased but maintain their belief that more can be done to curb potentially catastrophic climate change.
Former Vice President Al Gore wrote in Xformerly Twitter, that while the COP28 agreement is “an important milestone,” it is “the minimum we need and we should have done it a long time ago.” The influence of petrostates remains in the incomplete measures and gaps in the final agreement are clear.”
“We must ask ourselves how long the world will have to wait until all nations muster the political will to overcome these narrow special interests and act for the future of humanity.” It is up to all of us to support our leaders Promise to divest from fossil fuels once and for all to account,” Gore added.
In a speech to the conference, Anne Rasmussen, chief negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States, said her coalition would not reject the final deal but denounced the “litany of loopholes” granted to fossil fuel economies. “We have made incremental progress when what we really needed was an exponential change in our actions and our support,” he added.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres made his feelings about the agreement clear in a letter Post on. “To those who spoke out against a clear indication of fossil fuel phase-out during the #COP28 climate conference, I would like to say: whether you like it or not, fossil fuel phase-out is inevitable. Let's hope it doesn't come too late.
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