Well, yes, that COP28 is over. And he did it with one Global balance in which fossil fuels are explicitly mentioned for the first time in three decades at the climate summit. “There are aspects that could become historic, but the consensus leaves a lot to be desired in terms of the necessary ambition,” says colleague Tais Gadea Lara.
And the text does not use the terminology that some countries, specialists and organizations called for: Finally the concept of transition appears which, according to Gadea Lara, who asked for help with translation, would mean something like “move away from fossil fuels in energy systems.” A sentence that applies to some of the parties Result ambiguous.
Most countries agree that this term does not have the same implementing force as exit, which was considered until the last day of negotiations. Also other mentions have disappeared such as banning the construction of new coal-fired power plants, although this was included in the previous draft.
The group of Island states was the most critical. These nations most affected by the climate crisis have denounced that their representatives were not present in the final plenary hall when Al Jaber, President of this COP, rang the gavel and announced unanimity. “This process failed us“, complained Samoa Anne Rasmussen during her speech. The spokesman pointed out that although the Global Balance was an important step, “it does not yet provide the necessary course correction.”
This peak ends with a bittersweet taste. Hopes were not high for a petrostate issue, but progress was being made. “It’s not a failure,” says Gadea Lara. “After the Paris Agreement, implementation is making progress.” There are good aspects. It is important that the words are later translated into real actions«.
You can hear more details about the agreement in his latest video timeline from Dubai. This time it's longer than normal, but the occasion deserves to cover the topic in a little more detail.