COP28 Faces Tension Over Fossil Fuel Phase-Out 🔄
As COP28, the UN's World Climate Conference, comes into view in Dubai, a significant debate arises: the slow yet steady withdrawal of oil and gas, according to Copernicus, the EU's climate change service. With 2023 breaking records as the warmest year ever recorded, despite Copernicus announcing that December might not edge 2023 off its top spot, the battle against time for vigorous climate action intensifies.
In this heated disagreement among nearly 200 nations, Germany aims to advocate for a robust package, including the phasing out of coal, gas, and oil. Germany's Climate Secretary, Jennifer Morgan, emphasized the urgency for swift global greenhouse gas emissions decline to maintain long-term global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, as agreed in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Over 2,400 Coal, Oil, and Gas Lobbyists
In light of over 2,400 lobbyists for the coal, oil, and gas industries present at the summit, Morgan views this high presence as a close call for the world to proclaim the end of fossil fuels forever.
Ugandan Climate Activist Vanessa Nakate, along with Fridays for Future co-founder Luisa Neubauer, highlights the importance of minimizing damage and losses, particularly in underdeveloped countries. To achieve this, they recommend halting new projects for coal, oil, and gas production instead of relying on promises made during the summit as a measure of success, considering the summit's 97,000 participants.
Fighting Back Against Fossil Fuel Phase-Out Opposition
Facing opposition from Saudi Arabia, an oil-rich state, and India, heavily dependent on coal, countries like Germany are battling vigorously to gain traction towards the fossil fuel phase-out. U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell reiterates the pressing call for nations to collaborate and reach a consensus on the debatable issue of fossil fuel phase-out.
Global Fossil Fuel Emissions Continue to Rise
As global CO2 emissions from fossil fuel sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas escalate, shattering a record 36.8 billion tons in 2023, the Copernicus Climate Change Service warns of an expected 1.4% increase compared to 2019. This concerning fact is yet another reminder of the worldwide struggle with climate change.
Insights
- More than 80 countries, including the US, EU, and small island nations, advocate for phasing out fossil fuels as part of the transition towards renewable energy sources[3][4].
- Saudi Arabia, an influential player in the OPEC oil producers' group, opposes the inclusion of language targeting fossil fuels directly[3][4].
- A proposal backed by the European Union, the US, and the United Arab Emirates encourages increasing renewable energy production by 2030 and phasing out coal, gathering the support of 60 nations[3][4].
- Negotiations highlight the necessity for financial and supportive commitments to accomplish these transitions[3].
- 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:
Revised Points
- Over 80 nations, such as the US, EU, and small island nations, back the phasing out of fossil fuels as part of the transition towards renewable energy sources[3][4].
- Saudi Arabia, an influential OPEC member, opposes the inclusion of language targeting fossil fuels directly[3][4].
- A proposition championed by the EU, the US, and the UAE aims to boost renewable energy production by 2030 and phase out coal, garnering the support of 60 nations[3][4].
- The negotiations emphasize the importance of financial and supportive commitments to achieve these transitions[3].
- CAN Europe proposes deadlines for phasing out fossil fuel usage and exploration, with suggested dates of 2030 for coal, 2035 for gas, 2040 for oil, and a commitment to a 100% renewable energy system by 2040[4].
Key Points:
- COP28 faces difficulties in halting oil and gas usage, with Germany pushing for their phase-out, while Saudi Arabia and India oppose this proposition.
- Climate Secretary Jennifer Morgan, emphasizing the need for swift greenhouse gas emissions decline to limit global warming below 1.5°C, sees over 2,400 fossil fuel industry lobbyists at COP28 as a close call for the end of fossil fuels[3][4].
- Activists Luisa Neubauer and Vanessa Nakate call for halting new coal, oil, and gas production projects to limit damage and losses in underdeveloped countries[3][4].
- Countries like the US, EU, and the UAE support the transition towards renewable energy, but Saudi Arabia opposes targeting fossil fuels directly in the COP28 negotiations[3][4].
- Global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels reach a record-breaking 36.8 billion tons in 2023, and the world continues to heat up, with global temperatures continuing to rise after COP28's opening session.
Endnote
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