After intense negotiations, the United Nations Conference on Climate Change approved a potentially historic agreement this Wednesday (13), expanding the work calendar. The outcome document reflects, for the first time in the history of UN climate conferences, the transition of nations from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources.
The United Arab Emirates, responsible for formulating the text, received applause for approving the document at COP28. The agreement calls for a fair and orderly transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, accelerating action in this critical decade. The objective is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, following scientific recommendations.
By avoiding the term “eliminate”, contested by OPEC and Saudi Arabia, the document opted for “transition”, leaving a gap for the continued expansion of fossil fuels. This milestone is celebrated as a historic success, with the UAE expressing pride in its role in this progress.
Island states signal “concerns”
Many country delegates hailed the agreement as a significant step forward. However, climate justice advocates and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) claim that the text falls far short of what is necessary and signal “concerns”.
“We see a number of gaps in this text that are of great concern to us. We see references to science throughout the text, but then we refrain from agreeing to take the relevant steps in order to act in accordance with what science says we have to do,” says AOSIS.
“It is not enough to refer to science and then make agreements that ignore what science tells us we need to do”, he adds.
“We feel that the text does not provide the necessary balance to reinforce global action to correct the course of climate change. It is incremental and not transformational”, he points out.
“We have advanced in relation to the status quo. However, what was needed was exponential change,” said Anne Rasmussen, representative of the Samoan Islands and president of AOSIS.
Elimination of fossil fuels “is inevitable”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the agreement, highlighting the unprecedented recognition of the need to abandon fossil fuels. At COP28, Guterres emphasized the urgency of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, demanding drastic reductions in emissions this decade.
Science indicates that limiting warming to 1.5 degrees requires phasing out fossil fuels, recognized by a coalition of countries. Guterres thus called for an end to fossil fuels with justice, stating that their elimination is inevitable, hoping that it is not too late.
The UN Executive Secretary for Climate, Simon Stiell, welcomed the results of COP28, warning that commitments need to be fulfilled urgently. He then emphasized the need to move forward with the implementation of the Paris Agreement and urged countries to provide new national contributions in early 2025.
Then-president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen hailed the agreement as the start of the post-fossil era, highlighting global support for the EU's 2030 goals. John Kerry, US climate emissary, expressed optimism amid global conflicts, considering the agreement a reason to celebrate.
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the agreement as an important step, ultimately committing the world to a fossil fuel-free transition. French Minister for Energy Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, applauded the victory for multilateralism and climate diplomacy, thus noting the call for a gradual exit from fossil fuels.
At the same time, Brazil urged developed countries to lead the energy transition and provide the necessary means to developing countries. The Brazilian Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva, emphasized, however, the importance of guaranteeing the leadership of developed countries and resources for developing countries.
Source: datagro
