Climate Summit COP28 Faces Spat Over Fossil Fuel Phase-Out 🔄
Gearing up for the midway mark, the UN's World Climate Conference, COP28, hosted in Dubai, is grappling with a key contention: the gradual phasing out of oil and gas, according to the EU's climate change service, Copernicus. With 2023 breaking records as the hottest year ever recorded, despite Copernicus' announcement that December won't sweep 2023 off its top spot, the race against time for aggressive climate action is on.
In the ongoing dispute among nearly 200 countries, Germany looks to advocate for an ambitious package, including the phasing out of coal, gas, and oil. Germany's Climate Secretary, Jennifer Morgan, relayed her position, stressing the necessity for swift global greenhouse gas emissions decline, to keep long-term global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, as agreed in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
2,400 Lobbyists for Coal, Oil, and Gas
Taking note of the over 2,400 lobbyists for coal, oil, and gas industries present at the summit, Morgan sees this high occurrence as a close call for the world's decision to herald the end of fossil fuels for good.
Ugandan Climate Activist Vanessa Nakate, along with Fridays for Future co-founder Luisa Neubauer, stresses the importance of minimizing damage and losses, especially in underdeveloped countries. Achieving these goals requires halting new projects for coal, oil, and gas production, rather than relying on announcements of promises during the summit, with over 97,000 participants, as a measure of success.
Battling Opposition to the Fossil Fuel Phase-Out
Confronting the opposition from Saudi Arabia, an oil-rich state, and India, heavily dependent on coal, countries like Germany are fighting tooth and nail to gain traction towards the fossil fuel phase-out. U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell reiterates the dire call for nations to collaborate and forge an accord addressing the controversial issue of fossil fuel phase-out.
Fossil Fuel Emissions Keep Rising
As global CO2 emissions from fossil fuel sources like coal, oil, and natural gas continue to surge, surpassing a record 36.8 billion tons in 2023, the Copernicus Climate Change Service reveals that these emissions are expected to increase by 1.4% compared to 2019, a concerning fact as the world relentlessly faces the effects of climate change.
Enrichment
The phase-out of fossil fuels is at the heart of COP28's contentious discussions. A summary of the main points in the debate include:
- Transition Advocacy: Over 80 countries like the U.S., the EU, and small island nations support the phasing out of fossil fuels as part of the transition towards renewable energy sources[3][4].
- Opposition by Key Actors: Saudi Arabia, a significant player in the OPEC oil producers' group, opposes the inclusion of language targeting fossil fuels directly[3][4].
- Renewable Energy Plans: A proposal championed by the European Union, the U.S., and the United Arab Emirates aims to increase renewable energy production by 2030 and phase out coal, while garnering support from 60 countries[3][4].
- Financial Commitments: The negotiations emphasize the necessity for financial and supportive commitments to achieve these transitions[3].
- Specific Targets and Deadlines: CAN Europe proposes deadlines for phasing out fossil fuel use and exploration, with suggested dates of 2030 for coal, 2035 for gas, and 2040 for oil, and a commitment to a 100% renewable energy system by 2040[4].
Sources:
- [Responding to COP28`, Related articles from across the web:
Key Points:
- COP28 faces difficulties in ending oil and gas use as countries like Germany attempt to phase out fossil fuels, with opposition from nations like Saudi Arabia and India.
- Climate Secretary Jennifer Morgan, advocating for bold decisions to control global warming and phase out coal, gas, and oil, asserts that over 2,400 lobbyists for fossil fuel industries present at COP28 demonstrates the world's proximity to ceasing the use of fossil fuels.
- Activists Luisa Neubauer and Vanessa Nakate call for the phasing out of coal, gas, and oil production to minimize damage and losses in underdeveloped countries.
- Countries like the U.S., the EU, and the UAE support the transition towards renewable energy, while Saudi Arabia opposes targeting fossil fuels directly in the negotiations at COP28.
- Global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels pass a record 36.8 billion tons in 2023, and the planet continues to heat up as global temperatures continue to rise, following the COP28 conference's opening session.
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