Climate Summit: A Tussle Over Fossil Fuel Phase-Out
The 200-plus countries at the World Climate Conference in Dubai continue to grapple with the global phase-out of coal, oil, and gas. The conference's leader, the United Arab Emirates, has been pushing for late-night discussions with state and country representatives to strive towards a consensus declaration acceptable to all nations.
The main point of contention is whether a universal phase-out of coal, oil, and gas can be agreed upon, with some advocating for a significant role for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. Experts caution that CCS is expensive, scientifically controversial, and challenging to scale up effectively.
Protest Wave After Leaked Draft
A leaked draft text published on Monday sparked a wave of protests. To everyone's surprise, the fossil fuel phase-out, supported by more than 100 countries, was omitted from the text. Germany, the EU, numerous island states, and other countries dismissed the text as inadequate or even a "death sentence."
The Presidency tried to limit the damage, stating that the criticism was expected and the text's purpose was to stimulate discussions. However, ultimately, delegations must unanimously agree.
International Debate and Sultan al-Jaber's Ambitions
Late in the evening, the host announced that conference president Sultan al-Jaber and his team had met continually with representatives of states and country groups to ensure every voice was heard and all viewpoints considered.
Sultan al-Jaber, also the President of the state oil company, repeatedly emphasized during the conference his desire to reach an ambitious conclusion and keep the internationally agreed target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees within reach.
Cop28 Anniversary and Climate Activism
Activists from Fridays for Future pointed out on X, previously known as Twitter, that countries have yet to agree on a historic resolution eight years after the Paris climate agreement, particularly in Dubai at the UN Climate Summit.
Ugandan climate activist Vanessa Nakate wrote in a guest article in the Guardian, "As time runs out in Dubai, it feels like humanity's shared lifeboat is sinking." Progressive states are now being called upon to act.
CCUS Progress and Challenges
While there are numerous challenges in achieving a global phase-out of coal, oil, and gas, particularly in regard to CCS technologies, there are also noteworthy advancements and developments in CCS technologies and their deployment.
CCUS Advancements
- Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCS) technologies are being developed and deployed to reduce CO2 emissions. These technologies can capture up to 90-95% of CO2 emissions from point sources like power stations and industrial facilities. Successful examples include the Boundary Dam power station in Saskatchewan, Canada, and Norway’s Sleipner facility, which has been safely storing CO2 since 1996.
- There are currently around 50 commercial CCUS facilities operating globally, with over 700 projects in various stages of planning and development. The International Energy Agency projects that CCUS capture capacity will grow 35% by 2030, with storage capacity increasing by 70%.
CCUS Limitations
- While CCS is effective, it has limitations like high energy and financial costs, permitting regulations, and large physical footprints. New, lower-cost, more efficient processes like solid-based pressure swing adsorption (PSA) are needed to improve CCUS technology.
- Public perception is a significant concern, with worries about CCS prolonging the use of fossil fuels and safety issues. Addressing these concerns is essential for widespread adoption.
In summary, while there are significant challenges in achieving a global phase-out of coal, oil, and gas, particularly in regard to CCS technologies, there are also notable advancements in CCS technologies and their deployment. Addressing the limitations and public perception concerns will be crucial for accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
